How can i learn to discern God's voice?

[Christgirl67]

Hello everyone.So lately I have been praying and reading my bible and seeking God.The only issue is,I feel like I am not doing enough,or I am doing something wrong.I am having a difficult time discerning exactly how to hear God's voice,and seeing God's hand in my life.I have prayed that God would help me to increase my spirit of discernment so I can recognize his voice,but I just feel lost.Can anyone give me advice on how to deal with this?

 

[dreadnought]

Hello everyone.So lately I have been praying and reading my bible and seeking God.The only issue is,I feel like I am not doing enough,or I am doing something wrong.I am having a difficult time discerning exactly how to hear God's voice,and seeing God's hand in my life.I have prayed that God would help me to increase my spirit of discernment so I can recognize his voice,but I just feel lost.Can anyone give me advice on how to deal with this?

I think learning to discern the Lord's voice is a lifelong project. I am still learning, but it seems to me that his silence sometimes means, "Yes."

 

[Kevin Snow]

God has given many books through which we can learn and understand what God's will is. He even commanded concerning those books this:

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. ~Joshua 1:8

So I counsel you to store up for yourself wisdom through reading his word both day and night, then his will will become clear. I, myself, do this according to this word and I have grown in wisdom and understanding so that I know what it is I am supposed to do.

Do you remember what commandment God gave his Son? It was "eternal life."

And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” ~John 12:50

So God commands us something that is very broad and it is through wisdom that we accomplish his will. All Yahshua was commanded by his Father was "eternal life" and from that one thing by His Spirit did he discern how to accomplish his will. As it says,

I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad. ~Psalm 119:96

So also, in this same way has Yahshua commissioned us in this very same commandment by spreading the gospel message. We enter into his labor by becoming connected to his will, which is eternal life. So also must you be connected to bringing eternal life to others and unless you are bearing fruit for this, then you are not walking in his will.

But God has given each of us our task within this one single broad commandment. And so for us this word holds true as well:

Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. ~Ecclesiastes 9:7

And also this word:

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’ ~Isaiah 28:16

Therefore we are all doing the same thing but different jobs within the ultimate goal. I pray that you seek him out in truth and ask him for wisdom so that you may approve of what is right and acceptable and pleasing to him.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ~James 1:5

 

[Dave G.]

Be still and know that He is God. Read my signature line at the bottom of this message. His voice is quiet and it comes in our thoughts when we are still. Recently I have undergone trials, over the last year or so. Near the end of the trial I asked for clarity. My answer came to me as it has other times but not always, in a bible book. This time it was Job. I walked around doing my usual things not paying attention that in my mind I kept hearing Job, Job, The Book Of Job. Then later in the day Job, Job etc etc. That's the Lord, Finally it struck and I said OK I'll read the book of Job and I said it out loud to the Lord and the voice/thought was gone.. But it returned when I read the book and figured I was done. No I wasn't done, this went on for three weeks as I read and re read the book of Job. We have to be still, listen for that voice and also pay attention. It's easy to miss, to blow it off as random thoughts. But they have always rewarded me when I respond to those thoughts.

The first book the Lord ever gave to me in this way was 1 Corinthians. He wouldn't leave me alone and that time went on for two weeks. Followed by going to bible study and having the pastor say to open our bibles to 1 Corinthians. Another very profound one was 2 Thessalonians and another Proverbs 3 and Proverbs 4. As I said these titles just come into my head and repeat and repeat until I respond. I don't do anything but listen and respond !

 

[Job3315]

Hello everyone.So lately I have been praying and reading my bible and seeking God.The only issue is,I feel like I am not doing enough,or I am doing something wrong.I am having a difficult time discerning exactly how to hear God's voice,and seeing God's hand in my life.I have prayed that God would help me to increase my spirit of discernment so I can recognize his voice,but I just feel lost.Can anyone give me advice on how to deal with this?

Do you have dreams during sleep?

 

[Richard T]

It is great that you are seeking from God for direction and guidance. What helped me in my walk was to learn more and pray on this subject. An oldie but goodie from an earlier charismatic is How to Know the Fathers Voice, May 1993 by Bill Basansky. There are lots of books out there from various perspectives. It is amazing how many scriptures show God's desire to lead us.

 

[DW1980]

There's a great book I am working through called "Can you hear me - tuning in to the God who speaks" by Brad Jersak.

 

[Andrew77]

Hello everyone.So lately I have been praying and reading my bible and seeking God.The only issue is,I feel like I am not doing enough,or I am doing something wrong.I am having a difficult time discerning exactly how to hear God's voice,and seeing God's hand in my life.I have prayed that God would help me to increase my spirit of discernment so I can recognize his voice,but I just feel lost.Can anyone give me advice on how to deal with this?

So I don't mean to be brutal to anyone on this forum, or anyone anywhere.....

But every time I run into a Christian that says they 'hear G-d's voice', their lives are all train wrecks. And I do mean literally every single time. I had this lady once tell me that she could hear G-d speaking to her when she went on walks, and she would see a butterfly and G-d would 'speak' to her saying 'I'll take care of you like this butterfly'. (her words, not mine)

She was divorced, her kids were convicts, she was kicked out of her apartment for failing to pay the rent, lost her job, was constantly completely broke, had a history of drugs, her ex husband was an abusive alcoholic, and the list goes on.

When I meet Christians who live lives that are worth living, I can't think of a single one that said they heard G-d's voice.

They read their Bibles. They pray. They try and live out what they believe in Jesus Christ our Lord. They make the most wise choices they can, with wise council.

I always think of Proverbs 16:9.

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps."

You know what it doesn't say? It doesn't say a man sits at home, and waits to hear G-d's voice, and then follows his step by step directions.

Not there. In fact, that isn't anywhere in the Bible.

Here is what I've seen from the Christians I know who are leading good lives. I'm not a prophet, and I don't have divine wisdom. This is only what I've seen.

Christians make a plan, and start walking towards that plan. G-d then will direct their steps. If he doesn't want them going down one path over another, he will put up walls and barriers to direct and guide them into the path he wants.

This is what I suggest you do.

Whatever it is that you are facing, make a plan, start moving on that plan. If G-d wants you to move in a different direction, then have faith that G-d will direct your steps in the direction he wants.

Do not wait around to hear a divine voice.

 

[aiki]

Hello everyone.So lately I have been praying and reading my bible and seeking God.The only issue is,I feel like I am not doing enough,or I am doing something wrong.I am having a difficult time discerning exactly how to hear God's voice,and seeing God's hand in my life.I have prayed that God would help me to increase my spirit of discernment so I can recognize his voice,but I just feel lost.Can anyone give me advice on how to deal with this?

Well, it might help you to know that no where in the New Testament does anybody "hear" from God as some secret voice in their head. There is also no teaching in the New Testament that we should expect to "hear" from God this way. In fact, I know of no instance in all of Scripture where a person is said to have heard God's voice in this secret, direct-to-mind way. God communicates His will to people in the record of Scripture by way of burning bushes, visits from angels, a giant hand writing on a wall, dreams, visions, speaking donkeys, knocking a person to the ground and blinding him, etc. It seems when God wants to communicate His will to us, He won't be vague and mysterious about it.

The New Testament Christian does not need a divine "voice" speaking in their head in order to discern God's will. God has said all that He needed to say to us in His word, the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

God has given you a manual for Christian living in the form of the Bible. In it you have all the truth, wisdom, commands and spiritual principles by which to walk well with your Maker and navigate your life in a God-honoring way.

It is not uncommon for those who have neglected to both study and obey Scripture to be the ones who are most confused about how to walk with God and who are expecting a special revelation or "leading" from God to direct them at every turn. It is in living in accord with what God has already generally revealed of His will to us in Scripture that we come to know His particular will for us.

If you want to hear from God, simply open your Bible and read it. He's always got something to say to us when we do. The problem is that we aren't always willing to hear (and obey).

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Hello everyone.So lately I have been praying and reading my bible and seeking God.The only issue is,I feel like I am not doing enough,or I am doing something wrong.I am having a difficult time discerning exactly how to hear God's voice,and seeing God's hand in my life.I have prayed that God would help me to increase my spirit of discernment so I can recognize his voice,but I just feel lost.Can anyone give me advice on how to deal with this?

It is unlikely that you are actually doing anything wrong, it sounds like you are doing things right. Prayer and bible reading is a good way to get closer to the LORD. As for discerning God's voice it can actually be quite a difficult task in my opinion. The reason it is difficult is that when God talks to us he uses the channel of our mind, and emotions. We feel a feeling to do something, and it also enters our mind. The problem is that not only God can do that, the devil can also mess with our emotions, and speak into our mind. The bible tells us to "test all things", that includes every spiritual thought, and feeling we experience.

To be honest there are many times the LORD encourages me to do things, like witness in difficult situations, but I often don't follow through. There are also times that the devil tries to discourage me, they do sound and feel slightly different, but not different enough to know with 100% certainty the origin of the thought.

In my opinion it is not 100% necessary to know God's voice to be used as a Christian, it can help, but to have God's love, joy, and peace, and be missional, to have a purpose. If tying to decern God's voice brings stress, forget about it, just live life.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Well, it might help you to know that no where in the New Testament does anybody "hear" from God as some secret voice in their head. There is also no teaching in the New Testament that we should expect to "hear" from God this way. In fact, I know of no instance in all of Scripture where a person is said to have heard God's voice in this secret, direct-to-mind way. God communicates His will to people in the record of Scripture by way of burning bushes, visits from angels, a giant hand writing on a wall, dreams, visions, speaking donkeys, knocking a person to the ground and blinding him, etc. It seems when God wants to communicate His will to us, He won't be vague and mysterious about it.

The New Testament Christian does not need a divine "voice" speaking in their head in order to discern God's will. God has said all that He needed to say to us in His word, the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

God has given you a manual for Christian living in the form of the Bible. In it you have all the truth, wisdom, commands and spiritual principles by which to walk well with your Maker and navigate your life in a God-honoring way.

It is not uncommon for those who have neglected to both study and obey Scripture to be the ones who are most confused about how to walk with God and who are expecting a special revelation or "leading" from God to direct them at every turn. It is in living in accord with what God has already generally revealed of His will to us in Scripture that we come to know His particular will for us.

If you want to hear from God, simply open your Bible and read it. He's always got something to say to us when we do. The problem is that we aren't always willing to hear (and obey).

Hi,

I 100% agree with you that a Christian should follow and obey the bible, to the letter. But I ask you to consider the following scriptures. All show the Holy Spirit does speak to us in audible, or feel-able ways.

Act 9:11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

Act 14:9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

Act 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Act 27:10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

The apostles, and early church saw it as important to get direct revlation from God as to how to progress the faith see Acts 13:2 specifically.

As Moses said "I would that all the LORDs people were prophets like me" .... hearing from God can bring victory.

 

[aiki]

But I ask you to consider the following scriptures. All show the Holy Spirit does speak to us in audible, or feel-able ways.

Act 9:11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

Does this verse say how the Lord spoke to Ananias? No. But given how God spoke to others in Scripture, it seems very likely He spoke to Ananias audibly, out-loud, not as a secret voice in his mind.

Act 14:9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

Not sure how this contradicts what I said in my last post about God not speaking to us in a secret mind-voice...

Act 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

This, too, does not say the Holy Spirit spoke inwardly to the gathered disciples in a secret in-the-mind way. Again, if God is consistent in His manner of communication, then I think the Holy Spirit communicated externally and audibly to the disciples.

The apostles, and early church saw it as important to get direct revlation from God as to how to progress the faith see Acts 13:2 specifically.

None of the verses you've offered stipulate in exactly what way God communicated His will. ANd we aren't in the situation the Early Church was in concerning God's revelation. We have the Bible now and it is entirely sufficient to "thoroughly furnish us unto all good works" and perfectly reveal God's will to us.

 

[Matthew Frazier]

Well, it might help you to know that no where in the New Testament does anybody "hear" from God as some secret voice in their head. There is also no teaching in the New Testament that we should expect to "hear" from God this way. In fact, I know of no instance in all of Scripture where a person is said to have heard God's voice in this secret, direct-to-mind way. God communicates His will to people in the record of Scripture by way of burning bushes, visits from angels, a giant hand writing on a wall, dreams, visions, speaking donkeys, knocking a person to the ground and blinding him, etc. It seems when God wants to communicate His will to us, He won't be vague and mysterious about it.

The New Testament Christian does not need a divine "voice" speaking in their head in order to discern God's will. God has said all that He needed to say to us in His word, the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

God has given you a manual for Christian living in the form of the Bible. In it you have all the truth, wisdom, commands and spiritual principles by which to walk well with your Maker and navigate your life in a God-honoring way.

It is not uncommon for those who have neglected to both study and obey Scripture to be the ones who are most confused about how to walk with God and who are expecting a special revelation or "leading" from God to direct them at every turn. It is in living in accord with what God has already generally revealed of His will to us in Scripture that we come to know His particular will for us.

If you want to hear from God, simply open your Bible and read it. He's always got something to say to us when we do. The problem is that we aren't always willing to hear (and obey).

What @aiki said

 

[Christgirl67]

Do you have dreams during sleep?

Yes I do

 

[com7fy8]

I think learning to discern the Lord's voice is a lifelong project.

And we can keep being tested with things which require us to grow in our ability to know God's voice.

 

[Christgirl67]

I think learning to discern the Lord's voice is a lifelong project. I am still learning, but it seems to me that his silence sometimes means, "Yes."

Thank you,I think I just am looking into the situation way too deep

 

[Christgirl67]

So I don't mean to be brutal to anyone on this forum, or anyone anywhere.....

But every time I run into a Christian that says they 'hear G-d's voice', their lives are all train wrecks. And I do mean literally every single time. I had this lady once tell me that she could hear G-d speaking to her when she went on walks, and she would see a butterfly and G-d would 'speak' to her saying 'I'll take care of you like this butterfly'. (her words, not mine)

She was divorced, her kids were convicts, she was kicked out of her apartment for failing to pay the rent, lost her job, was constantly completely broke, had a history of drugs, her ex husband was an abusive alcoholic, and the list goes on.

When I meet Christians who live lives that are worth living, I can't think of a single one that said they heard G-d's voice.

They read their Bibles. They pray. They try and live out what they believe in Jesus Christ our Lord. They make the most wise choices they can, with wise council.

I always think of Proverbs 16:9.

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps."

You know what it doesn't say? It doesn't say a man sits at home, and waits to hear G-d's voice, and then follows his step by step directions.

Not there. In fact, that isn't anywhere in the Bible.

Here is what I've seen from the Christians I know who are leading good lives. I'm not a prophet, and I don't have divine wisdom. This is only what I've seen.

Christians make a plan, and start walking towards that plan. G-d then will direct their steps. If he doesn't want them going down one path over another, he will put up walls and barriers to direct and guide them into the path he wants.

This is what I suggest you do.

Whatever it is that you are facing, make a plan, start moving on that plan. If G-d wants you to move in a different direction, then have faith that G-d will direct your steps in the direction he wants.

Do not wait around to hear a divine voice.

Thank you.My pastor had preached on this recently,I had just been confused over what people mean when they say they heard God's voice

 

[com7fy8]

Jesus guarantees that His "sheep" . . . not just His leaders and super-spiritual saints . . . know His voice > John 10:1-30. So, I would say we all do well to trust Jesus to have us hear His voice.

As a younger sheep, a person still is not mature; so he or she needs correction and to grow and mature to be able to hear and obey Jesus. And none of us is perfect in this. We need deep character correction so we become able to hear Him and be honest and obedient enough to do what He desires.

Hebrews 12:4-14 talks about how God corrects every child of God, and what happens as the result of this correction. This goes on for the rest of our lives.

So, I would say actively seek our Heavenly Father for His correction, and keep praying for this, all our lives

 

[com7fy8]

I think of this >

"rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:4)

So, if we desire to be pleasing to our Heavenly Father, we do well to be gentle and quiet in His love. And in this love we have more and more communication with God.

One thing that can help is to refuse to give in to and go along with unquiet things >

"bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking" "malice" (Ephesians 4:31)

unforgiveness > Mark 11:25

lusts > I mean any dominating and dictatorial drives, desires, and distraction from submitting to how God rules us in His own peace in our hearts > Colossians 3:15.

It helps to know how God desires to personally rule every child of His > "in one body", which means all of us > in His very own peace in our "hearts" >

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

So, yes our God and Father does desire to so share intimately with every one of us, in His own peace. And He desires for His peace to rule us in our hearts. Ruling is twenty-four/seven. So, it helps to know this and constantly seek God for Himself, and trust Him to change us so we do this more and more maturely.

Also, boredom and loneliness are maybe somehow quiet in us, but these are not in the quietness of God's love > these are forms of complaining, and we are commanded to do everything "without complaining and disputing" > Philippians 2:13-16 < feed on this scripture, trusting how God is able to have us doing all this means, with Him.

God's communication can be deeper than words, in how His love's peace constantly is ruling in our hearts. In relating with people in close sharing, I would say you have communicated in more than only words. You feel for one another, have compassion and caring, enjoy sharing, and respond to one other.

 

[Job3315]

Yes I do

difficult time discerning exactly how to hear God's voice,

I have prayed that God would help me to increase my spirit of discernment so I can recognize his voice,

For God does speak—now one way, now another— though no one perceives it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds...Job 33:14-15

God is talking all the time, it is us who don't pay attention. Do you hear a song when you wake up in the mornings? Check the lyrics, it might be him telling you something.