I cannot recognize the voice of God

MercyandFaith

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I've finally put a finger on one of my biggest obstacles as a Christian, which is that I cannot recognize the voice of the Shepherd. I have OCD, also some other issues, and sometimes the voice of God, Satan, or my own brain sound all very similar and believable.

I think thoughts like, "If I do not do this, then I will burn in Hell forever" (for instance, I feel like God is recently ordering me to confess a sin to some people, even though confessing to them would backfire and cause all kinds of problems, and is not advisable.) A voice like, "If you do not obey God on this issue, when you die, you're headed for Hell."

I also cannot sense much of a difference between conviction and condemnation. I simply am a sheep that does not know the voice of the Shepherd. Most spiritual thoughts that I ever think are about coercion - "Do this or that, or else God will impose harsh consequences on you for disobedience."
 

Greengardener

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I can't actually speak to how to tell the voices apart, but I can suggest that since God gave you choice from the beginning (as He gave Adam and Eve), it's not likely God's voice telling you to obey or head for Hell. We don't escape Hell by obedience per se, we are given His grace through faith, and He provided that faith as well. God isn't interested in tormenting your life, but we do have an enemy interested in killing, stealing, and destroying. And sometimes I think we are wired to make enough of our own noises to drive ourselves to distraction even apart from having an enemy who would willingly drop in ideas. I did have to learn how to stop the voices and it helped over time. I studied God's word and saw what He was like. I memorized promises He made and the conditions of those promises. I applied myself to walking as best I could in His paths, and when I failed, I repented and believed His promises for the help I needed, that I could come boldly to His throne to find that help. Over time, my walk became easier, but I still repent when I trip up, and we all miss the mark from time to time. God delights in lovingkindness and mercy. Sometimes I have to admit to some pruning kind of discipline but it's because God loves seeing fruit and He wants to see MORE fruit to His own glory, but it's different than condemning. God is love. Be encouraged and keep going, step by step and day by day.
 
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Gregory Thompson

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Yeah when theology sounds like intrusive thoughts, I can be a tad dismissive and sometimes think maybe the theology is demonic.

I tend to examine what is being said with the fruit and character passages in the bible. If what is being said resembles scripture, but does not conform to the character of a Godly message .. it's bunk.
 
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MercyandFaith

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Thanks for the replies.

I think my struggle is that many Bible verses can feed OCD or some spiritual misconception when used the wrong way - for instance, there is a verse that says, "Not all who say Lord, Lord, will enter Heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father." Which, to my brain, sounds like "If you don't obey God's command to do this or that, you will not go to Heaven after death."
 
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iLearn

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His voice you will never be able to teach anyone how you know. His voice you will know because He will permits you to know without you knowing. His voice is rare and it is NOT a still small voice that many christians think. His voice is loud and strong and carries authority.
 
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com7fy8

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sounds like "If you don't obey God's command to do this or that, you will not go to Heaven after death."
So, you understand, possibly, then, that our Father does not threaten His children with hell. So, if you understand this, then you have heard Jesus' voice :)

And trust Him to make you more able with more confidence.
 
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Greengardener

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Thanks for the replies.

I think my struggle is that many Bible verses can feed OCD or some spiritual misconception when used the wrong way - for instance, there is a verse that says, "Not all who say Lord, Lord, will enter Heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father." Which, to my brain, sounds like "If you don't obey God's command to do this or that, you will not go to Heaven after death."
Answering that accusation, what about the verse where Jesus said, What is the will of God? for you to believe in the Son whom He sent. His Laws describe righteousness, but His grace provided our acceptance - He loves us with an amazing love. He's not out to smite you but to encourage you.
 
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Bryan H

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You sound just like me! I can't tell the difference either. I once called my ex's husband to confess that I was having inappropriate thoughts about his wife because I thought God was telling me to. I was scared of what would happen if I disobeyed but it was one of the most embarrassing experiences of my life. He now thinks I'm schizophrenic. Not that it matters.
 
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Jeshu

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I've finally put a finger on one of my biggest obstacles as a Christian, which is that I cannot recognize the voice of the Shepherd. I have OCD, also some other issues, and sometimes the voice of God, Satan, or my own brain sound all very similar and believable.

I think thoughts like, "If I do not do this, then I will burn in Hell forever" (for instance, I feel like God is recently ordering me to confess a sin to some people, even though confessing to them would backfire and cause all kinds of problems, and is not advisable.) A voice like, "If you do not obey God on this issue, when you die, you're headed for Hell."

I also cannot sense much of a difference between conviction and condemnation. I simply am a sheep that does not know the voice of the Shepherd. Most spiritual thoughts that I ever think are about coercion - "Do this or that, or else God will impose harsh consequences on you for disobedience."

My life used to be like that until i met Jesus as the Voice of loving truth. He has made all the difference. For even though my understanding of His love has been hugely purified over the years, it has made the Voice of Jesus even clearer and more audible, especially in times of trouble.

i found that any compelling thoughts or feelings never come from Him, even though we may hear or see truths the way these truths are presented are in lies as to catch us.

Ponder on how Jesus took all the suffering from the world upon His shoulders and brought it to a good ending. He has a good ending for you in mind as well.

So fearing the Lord because of hell after you have confessed your sins and shortcomings to Him are never from God but always from the accuser in our guilty conscience. satan who makes us fear hell and stops us from accepting Jesus as our saviour. While with Jesus we are convicted of wrong because wrong touches us in our loving heart and we know we grieved Jesus with our sin because they hurt Him ourselves and/or others.

It is about understanding Jesus rightly. God is love so only The truth spoken in love comes from Him and can be trusted to safeguard and protect us.

Peace.


An invitation to The Chosen.

God's Love will not take or will
you to conform to rules or demand
which imprison, enslave, burn or kill you.

God's Love will not pervert what's Good
The Lord loves truthfully Wise and Good.
True Love was, is and always will be Good!

In God's Love you are free to be right!
In His love everything is good proper and kind.
He loves all who love good and true to rule!

His Love is caring, providing, and sharing.
His Love always enjoys and protects good life.
His love rules even when bad life has being in us!

Hear Jesus call - 'Come join up with us all!
Leave whatever ties you down and be free
loving good life with all God's own to be.'

To the rest in your heart God's asks
how long will you tarry in the darkness?
Please leave such bad existence within.

For life must not, no never should, or would, or could,
be forceful, rude, prideful, arrogant, selfish, lustful
or otherwise be untrue to God's loving truth.

Neither should life be hurting or ill,
hungry, oppressed, despised, hated
or otherwise have existence in wrong.

Please hand your Bad Life over to Jesus
Humbly ask for His Good Life back in return
and go love God, self and neighbour with Joy.

The Church knows that Jesus is coming soon
All bad life will be our shameful past then,
so please leave your bad life while you can!

Love


 
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paul1149

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If you do not obey God on this issue, when you die, you're headed for Hell."
Whatever voice you're hearing, it has to align with verses like this in order to be consistent with God's nature and His will for you:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” -Matt 11:28-30​

Or,
It is the goodness and kindness of God that lead us to repentance.
"Not all who say Lord, Lord, will enter Heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father."

Jesus did give that warning, but that doesn't mean He makes demands on us that don't sit right in our hearts or rides over us like a harsh taskmaster. Sometimes it takes time to discern what's really going on with various voices we may hear. 1Thess 5 tells us to "make sure of all things; hold fast to what is good". Take your time. Be at peace and at rest in Christ, and feed on God's goodness and faithfulness. Don't do anything rash until you are sure it is God. "At the mouth of two or three witness will every thing be established". Don't be in a hurry to obey a voice you're not sure of. God is not so unreasonable that He won't give you time to be sure of what's going on. "In His presence is fullness of joy". The Psalms and Romans 8 might help give you assurance and calmness.
 
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MercyandFaith

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You sound just like me! I can't tell the difference either. I once called my ex's husband to confess that I was having inappropriate thoughts about his wife because I thought God was telling me to. I was scared of what would happen if I disobeyed but it was one of the most embarrassing experiences of my life. He now thinks I'm schizophrenic. Not that it matters.

Yes, that's exactly the dilemma I find myself in - doing things (or feeling like I must do or say or confess things) people would find extreme or ridiculous, because of fear of disobeying God.
 
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MercyandFaith

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study the scriptures. if whatever voice you hear is in conflict with the scriptures, then it didn't come from the LORD.

My difficulty (and perhaps part of my OCD) is that I know Scripture very well indeed - perhaps better than most Christians. It's just that my brain often interprets Scripture in the most merciless light possible, in the most severest way that it could possibly be taken.
 
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Messerve

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Yeah when theology sounds like intrusive thoughts, I can be a tad dismissive and sometimes think maybe the theology is demonic.

I tend to examine what is being said with the fruit and character passages in the bible. If what is being said resembles scripture, but does not conform to the character of a Godly message .. it's bunk.
How about something vague, though, like "You should visit your friend today even though you weren't invited." I struggle to know if I should obey ideas like that in faith or is it's satan trying to cause a problem between me and someone I care about... :scratch: I feel kind of guilty for not doing anything, yet I'm not totally confident if the idea came from God so I also wonder if I maybe made the right choice (in that case, staying home instead of showing up at my friend's door).

You hear of people giving someone money or food and saying "For some reason, I just felt like God wanted me to give this to you" and it was exactly what that person prayed for! That seems just as vague of a situation, so I wonder if I'm just being faithless?
 
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S.O.J.I.A.

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My difficulty (and perhaps part of my OCD) is that I know Scripture very well indeed - perhaps better than most Christians. It's just that my brain often interprets Scripture in the most merciless light possible, in the most severest way that it could possibly be taken.
so your OCD is causing you to believe things about the scriptures you read that you know are false and are erroneous conclusions?
 
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Messerve

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How about something vague, though, like "You should visit your friend today even though you weren't invited." I struggle to know if I should obey ideas like that in faith or is it's satan trying to cause a problem between me and someone I care about... :scratch: I feel kind of guilty for not doing anything, yet I'm not totally confident if the idea came from God so I also wonder if I maybe made the right choice (in that case, staying home instead of showing up at my friend's door).

You hear of people giving someone money or food and saying "For some reason, I just felt like God wanted me to give this to you" and it was exactly what that person prayed for! That seems just as vague of a situation, so I wonder if I'm just being faithless?
However, I can think of a situation recently where I was about to make act on a decision and God stopped me.

There's a person I've tried hard to stay in touch with over the years and because that person is very busy and has little spare time it often ends up being a one-way road with me initiating conversations and giving gifts but not really receiving much back. I'm really okay with that, but recently I got the impression this person was spending a lot of time with someone else, despite us not seeing each other for months. And I got very depressed and angry about that. I usually initiated a conversation Tuesday mornings so I said to God, "Okay I'm fed up with this person. Either they initiate a conversation with ME tomorrow morning, or this relationship is done." So morning came and of course that person said nothing. I was about to just leave for work and go on with life like they never existed, but Jesus stopped me. He reminded me of how little time I'd spent with Him lately and how I was acting just like the unmerciful servant in the parable. The master forgave the servant's debts, but the servant had zero forgiveness for the man who owed him. So I apologized to Jesus for neglecting my relationship with Him and went ahead and texted this person anyway.

So that's just one example of how God spoke to me recently and did help me resolve a decision that was biblically ambiguous from my perspective. When He speaks it's like a combination of His Word infiltrating my own thoughts with plenty of prayer leading up to and during it.
 
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I've finally put a finger on one of my biggest obstacles as a Christian, which is that I cannot recognize the voice of the Shepherd. I have OCD, also some other issues, and sometimes the voice of God, Satan, or my own brain sound all very similar and believable.

I think thoughts like, "If I do not do this, then I will burn in Hell forever" (for instance, I feel like God is recently ordering me to confess a sin to some people, even though confessing to them would backfire and cause all kinds of problems, and is not advisable.) A voice like, "If you do not obey God on this issue, when you die, you're headed for Hell."

I also cannot sense much of a difference between conviction and condemnation. I simply am a sheep that does not know the voice of the Shepherd. Most spiritual thoughts that I ever think are about coercion - "Do this or that, or else God will impose harsh consequences on you for disobedience."
Perhaps this seems slightly blasphemous but, if I were God, and I had someone to deal with who has trouble with voices taunting them, I just might elect not to contact them audibly. After all, there's always the B-I-B-L-E. Yes, that's the book for me. It doesn't have to be the last resort. It's actually "given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
 
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