How do we hear God's voice?

[Dave L]

I’m not trying to get into a long discussion of the gifts but rather of hearing God’s voice and His inward witness without which none can know Him.

God gave apostles and prophets as well as evangelist, pastors and teachers after the resurrection of Jesus for the church until we all come in the unity of the faith unto the perfect man. They are all still needed.

If some today claim to be in the pastor gift for example they will only find justification for that gift in Ephesians 4:11. If you get rid of that verse and say it does not apply today because it mentions the gifts of apostles and prophets, then you have to get rid of the pastor gift as well.

But all theses gifts are still needed today.

Only the revelatory and apostolic signs and wonders ceased, being replaced by scripture.

 

[Yarddog]

Yes some good points there. I believe a man cannot preach except he be sent to do so anyway. And all who are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God.

Interestingly if you read Romans 10 Paul seems to be speaking of God the divine preacher who has preached to every man in their heart by His word. Yes he speaks that word to preachers also to witness to what he says and to preach. But the chapter seems to speak of God as the divine preacher. Consider Romans 10 and check the scripture quotes he uses from Dueteronomy 30 and Psalms.

The thing about preaching the Gospel is we don't know know just where the seeds have landed. Sometimes the glow of reception is bright but fades quickly. Sometimes the seed doesn't appear to had any affect but we find that it took a little more water and fertilizer to grow. Sometimes the seed never takes hold.

We should never assume that a preached sermon is worthless. Just one saved soul out of a thousand is a wonderful thing.

It is not what we say but the Spirit which devil's it which makes miracles occur.

 

[Yarddog]

Scripture does not provide evidence for the prophetic gifts continuing in the post apostolic era.

Scripture does not provide evidence that prophetic gifts have ceased in the post apostolic era.

 

[Dave L]

Scripture does not provide evidence that prophetic gifts have ceased in the post apostolic era.

The problem is, they only came through an apostle's hands or through the two outpourings. And with the death of the apostles, scripture mentions no other means of distribution. The prophetic gifts imparted the the Holy Spirit to people through the spoken word. But scripture now does the same on a broader scale.

 

[Yarddog]

The problem is, they only came through an apostle's hands or through the two outpourings.

And you know this how? The 72 were sent out and performed miracles? Not just the 12 Apostles. After Jesus' death, the gift of prophesy existed within many all across the Church, just as the ancient Church still performs miracles which the 12 performed.

And with the death of the apostles, scripture mentions no other means of distribution.

Scripture says the means is God's Holy Spirit, not the Apostles.

Of Spiritual gifts, we are to desire.

1 Cor. 14
1Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 3But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. 5Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
[/quote]
The prophetic gifts imparted the the Holy Spirit to people through the spoken word. But scripture now does the same on a broader scale.[/QUOTE]
Scripture has done this since Moses began writing but nothing in scripture says prophesy has ended within God's Church.

 

[Dave L]

And you know this how? The 72 were sent out and performed miracles? Not just the 12 Apostles. After Jesus' death, the gift of prophesy existed within many all across the Church, just as the ancient Church still performs miracles which the 12 performed.

Scripture says the means is God's Holy Spirit, not the Apostles.

Of Spiritual gifts, we are to desire.

1 Cor. 14
1Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 3But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. 5Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.

The 70 were witnesses of Jesus' resurrection. Needed for one to be an apostle. And Jesus personally appointed them. But since they died off, it is impossible for one to become an apostle. And the gifts that came through their hands ceased. Scripture knows of no other way besides the two outpourings or through an apostle's hands for giving the gifts.

 

[Yarddog]

The 70 were witnesses of Jesus' resurrection. Needed for one to be an apostle. And Jesus personally appointed them. But since they died off, it is impossible for one to become an apostle. And the gifts that came through their hands ceased. Scripture knows of no other way besides the two outpourings or through an apostle's hands for giving the gifts.

You cannot prove in the slightest that those gifts ceased but the gifts have been practiced within the Church since Jesus established his Church.

 

[Dave L]

You cannot prove in the slightest that those gifts ceased but the gifts have been practiced within the Church since Jesus established his Church.

Tongues and prophecy were the fragments of God's word that became God's word when collected and presented as the completed canon of scripture. So today we have the original gifts recorded in scripture now complete, the temporary gifts ended as Paul said.

 

[Yarddog]

Tongues and prophecy were the fragments of God's word that became God's word when collected and presented as the completed canon of scripture. So today we have the original gifts recorded in scripture now complete, the temporary gifts ended as Paul said.

Again, you have no proof to back up your false claim. The gifts are alive and well and as one who has heard the spoken word, God is great.

 

[Dave L]

Again, you have no proof to back up your false claim. The gifts are alive and well and as one who has heard the spoken word, God is great.

If you knew what the original gifts consisted of, its' like comparing a picture of a cheese burger to a full course meal.

 

[Yarddog]

If you knew what the original gifts consisted of, its' like comparing a picture of a cheese burger to a full course meal.

I live cheeseburgers made by God.

 

[Dave L]

I live cheeseburgers made by God.

You need to study the matter.

 

[Yarddog]

You need to study the matter.

I've studied the matter. I've heard the spoken word of God. I've seen visions and have received miraculous healings. God is as active in his Church today as he has since its foundation.

God bless and I hope you learn how to follow God's voice in every manner he chooses to use.

 

[Dave L]

I've studied the matter. I've heard the spoken word of God. I've seen visions and have received miraculous healings. God is as active in his Church today as he has since its foundation.

God bless and I hope you learn how to follow God's voice in every manner he chooses to use.

God still heals. But the Holy Spirit is in scripture, the same words heard by the early Christians. You can push it away but if you want what they had, here it is.

 

[Yarddog]

God still heals. But the Holy Spirit is in scripture, the same words heard by the early Christians. You can push it away but if you want what they had, here it is.

Who has tried to push scripture away, other than you, trying to convince others that God won't speak or reveal wonders to them? There are great mysteries within scripture that just reading the words does not reveal. It is God's Holy Spirit which reveals these to those whom the Father chooses to reveal them to and in the manner only the Father chooses.

 

[Dave L]

Who has tried to push scripture away, other than you, trying to convince others that God won't speak or reveal wonders to them? There are great mysteries within scripture that just reading the words does not reveal. It is God's Holy Spirit which reveals these to those whom the Father chooses to reveal them to and in the manner only the Father chooses.

God only speaks verbally through scripture. He bears witness with our spirit directing us as we go. Love always chooses the right course of action. Voices in head = not good.

 

[Yarddog]

God only speaks verbally through scripture.

Says the person who admits he has no experience with God's revelations.

Love always chooses the right course of action. Voices in head = not good.

Love doesn't question God. Lack of faith says what God will not do.

 

[Francis Drake]

The people who harp the loudest about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit are the furthest removed from ever receiving it. Jesus' words are Spirit and life. And when we immerse ourselves in scripture we experience the fullness of the Spirit. Before scripture reached completion, we had bits and pieces of it in tongues and prophecy. But when we collected all of those fragments and combined them into one, we had the completed picture. So chasing after visions and voices, assuming it is God, removes us from the very source where God speaks the loudest and clearest, the scriptures. And they remain our only source for the fullness of the Spirit.

Is that the echo of a fierce troll I hear?
I guess we shouldn't worry too much though, they are totally deaf and blind and powerless by choice. I believe its something to do with hardness of heart.

 

[Dropout_Theologian]

I have wondered on hearing God's voice personally. I just finished 1 Samuel today. Many times in these Old Testament books it says God has said something or answered someone... I would assume that if something were being said, that that would be auditory and not coming from inside. Yet there are other verses (the LORD talking to David comes to mind) where I wonder if it were within David? Perhaps. I have wanted the Lord to speak to me... if He has then He has been subtle. But I speak apart from Scripture. Certainly at times God has used prophets to speak as well, Biblically speaking.

So, as it stands in my mind, direct auditory speaking and prophets are means of hearing God's voice. Communicating with God internally (and having him communicate back) seems likely, I just can't recall the verses now. Edit: I remember seeming to have communication on a spiritual plane at least a couple times now. But they'll say I'm crazy, so what do I know!?

Now to deal with that vexing cessationist doubt and deist clockwork. God can do anything and miracles can happen.

 

[Neogaia777]

I have heard some say that christians can only hear God's voice through scripture and that any who claim to hear God's voice inwardly are deluded and false.

But this is wrong. All believers hear God's voice in their hearts.

Consider how Abraham heard God's voice. He did not have scripture yet.

While scripture is all given by inspiration of God, scripture can only be known and understood by the spiritual man not the natural man (1 Cor 2).

"11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."(1 Cor 2:11-14)

When Jesus spoke to the religious people and pharasees he said things like this,

John 8 - 43. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.”

They may have heard him physically speaking but they did not hear his word in their heart.

We read

John 5 - 24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life... 37. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 38. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 39. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

To hear God’s voice was not to simply hear Jesus speaking to them physically. All heard him speak this way. No they had to hear in their heart and receive his word inwardly in the heart. The seed is the word of God sown in the heart (Luke 8).

Jesus said they had not his word abiding in them. They had scriptures and thought they heard Gods word. But they did not have his word in their hearts and they did not recognize the living Word made flesh standing in front of them.

Many today’s might think they only hear God through scriptures but they are mistaken and may be in danger of being like the Pharisees who did not see with spiritual eyes or hear with spiritual ears. While God can speak through scriptures as we read them. The witness is inward in the heart. Otherwise the pharisees would have life and hear God's voice by simply reading scriptures as they did. They trusted in the scriptures to give them eternal life, but the scriptures testified of Jesus whom they did not hear right in front of them.

The word is working in those who believe as Paul said ,

1 Thessalonians 2 - 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

Consider these spiritual verses also

Hebrews 4 - 12. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Luke 8 - 11. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”

Deuteronomy 30 - 10. If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. 11. For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. 12. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 13. Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 14. But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.”

John 8 - 47. He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.”

Just reading scripture as the Pharisees did or even hearing Jesus speak as they did did not mean they were of God. They needed to hear his word in their heart and believe.

Men can even have God work in their hearts and the work of the law as well even if they did not have the written scriptures this is God's natural way of dealing with all men, as we read,

"14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another ) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel"(Romans 2:14-16 KJV)

Paul also said that God manifest what can be known of him inwardly to men, and all can feel after him and find him no matter where they are

"18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them."(Romans 1:18,19 KJV)

"26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:"(Acts 17:26,27 KJV)

You really want to know about hearing from God and his voice, see here:

Omniscience, YHWH and Jesus Christ, one new God and/or God/Man...? Warning this is not milk...

God Bless!