It’s interesting, the comments I get on my blog and podcast from unbelievers. Generally, they go something like this:
“Don’t waste my time with this—it’s all a bunch of nonsense.”
“Sad that you have to believe in fairy tales—don’t share them with me.”
These are examples of the tame comments. Some are much worse than these. I’ll leave those to your imagination.
I find it sad, when I read comments such as these, that there really are people who are COMPLETELY out of touch with the Kingdom of God. They only see what is here on this earth. I find this not only sad-I find it frightening.
When I look at this world, I try to see the true world—the spiritual world—behind this world.
I love the Bible verse that says, For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:2 ESV)
There is much that is happening in this world on a spiritual level—and we only see shadows.
This can be frustrating and confusing.
How can you maneuver in shadows?
There is only one way: We must learn to hear God’s voice.
For those who don’t hear God’s voice, the shadows can be confusing. They can be overwhelming. The thought that there is another dimension can indeed seem like a fairy tale.
To me, there are only two choices: to live in world of darkness and cynicism—or to learn to hear God’s voice.
I choose the latter.
So how can we learn to hear the voice of God?
Thankfully, we have been designed to hear His voice. It has been said that in each person’s heart, there is a God-sized hole that only He can fill. Similarly, there is a sixth sense which God has given us so that can be tuned to His voice.
Paul tells us “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
So, we don’t just walk in shadows. We wrestle with dark forces. To win, we need the guidance of God.
But how do we receive it?
Here are some ways that believers can learn to hear the voice of God:
1. Read the Bible. Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 ESV. You learn how God sounds when you read His word. His voice becomes more and more familiar.
2. Listen to the Voice of the Holy Spirit. After ascending to heaven, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to instruct us. He is the voice of Wisdom. He never contradicts Scripture. He nudges our consciouses. The Holy Spirit sounds like God, not like us.
3. Pray – God responds to prayers—perhaps not as quickly as we like, but he does respond. Jesus set the example for us in going off, alone, to “speak with God”.
4. Practice Silence – Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Only in stillness can we hear God speaking. Think of how often in scripture we hear that God speaks in a “Still, small voice.”
In Proverbs 3: 5-6, we are told, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways, submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
While few people have heard God speak in an audible voice, millions have been led by God. Read His Word. Be guided by the Holy Spirit. Pray. Practice silence, and give it time.
Let me conclude with some of my favorite quotes on listening for God:
“Even when I hear nothing, I rest in knowing that He hears me.” Bryce Avary
“You know you’re hearing from God when you don’t walk away with facts but you walk away with faith.” Carl Lentz
“One of the first steps we should take in knowing God’s voice is knowing God’s heart.” Craig S. Keener.
And this, friends, brings us back to the first point—to learn what God is saying, we must learn to recognize His voice.
May you seek Him through the Word and in silence.