hearing Jesus' voice?

lutherangerman said:

It is my understanding that many charismatic christians have heard Jesus speak spiritually.

I mean things like Jesus saying something to a praying believer.

I wanted to ask, is there someone here who ever experienced this? If yes, how did Jesus' voice sound? Authoritative? Demanding? Was Jesus ever unkind to you?

I mean, I know we must submit to God, bow our knees to Him. How does that happen to you? Has Jesus ever "forced" you to do this? Like, saying submit to me or I will hurt you?

Thank you for your answers.

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My belief, based on Jesus' words in John 10.16, 27 that his speep hear His voice is that every Christian "hears" him. But every believer is not listening. Some want him to speak in an earthquake some in fire some through some "prophet" or spiritual gift or vision or etc. and because they do not hear him in the ways they want, they think he is not speaking to them. But he speaks to us, all day everyday, whether we are aware of it or not. We plan our way but the Lord directs our steps. (Prov. 16.9). IMO. ~Jim

I don't believe God is broadcasting an automatic message at us 24 hours a day!

I've found that He speaks when there is something to say, and that our attitude is the biggest factor in our ability/inability to hear Him. Many saints have told how they have sought God, but He will not answer. That "the heavens are as brass" when they pray. Or talk about the "dark night of the soul" when the close relationship with God they came to depend on seems to just disappear, and God goes completely silent on them for a long time. But these are just temporary conditions, trials if you will.

Most do not hear God's voice because they do not listen. First it requires faith, and they believe either that He doesn't exist or that He isn't interested in talking to humans anymore. Second it requires an obedient heart, one that is willing to do what is asked. Or maybe as a bare minimum, one that is willing to listen to God's requests; knowing full well that knowledge makes us accountable for our actions!

I find that God speaks mostly in the still small voice. That He will take a passage of scripture or the words spoken by another believer, and "inspire" them to mean a specific thing that applies directly to me. It is then my job to listen, and to weigh out the probability as to whether it was indeed God directing my thoughts, or simply coincidence.

There are rarely ever situations where I know it is God beyond all reasonable doubt. Generally I must deal with percentages, where if I find that I honestly feel the chances that it is indeed God leading me are greater that 50%, then I pursue that path.

I think God's purpose for leading any of us has little to do with anything we might actually accomplish, but everything to do with our hearts' attitude. Those who demand "proof" from Him before they act, will not get it. But to someone who really truly wishes to follow the Master, we can easily learn to lay our lives down and simply follow whatever He says, without feeling the need to be in control over who He is, or what He says.

Tobias said:

I don't believe God is broadcasting an automatic message at us 24 hours a day!

*****

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Sure he is. IMO . He's a good parent and loves to communicate with his kids. He is a much better parent than I am and I communicate with my kids every day. Sometimes, I communicate with them several times a day (unless, of course, I say something they don't want to hear and they get ticked off at me or get too busy with other things and don't want listen to me). Same with us.

~Jim

There is the inner witness and God's audible voice. Many did not go to work in the disaster because of this.

I have been cut off from so much of this. But my name sake is from a vision I had after it all went wrong for me.

When I first turned to Jesus, at 18, and quite simple, hardly any knowledge of the spiritual, I called on the name of Allah to test. The I heard a voice say, "Son, I will love you no matter what you do."

It was after everyone went to bed.

I now understand that according to Islam, Allah loves you after you set your love upon Him. Jesus also says that there will be a form of God quite different from ours, but He still calls Him God. Theologically, it is different.

when I was 21 I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, a bright light surrounded me and there was a voice as if were a low rumbling thunder say " I am the way walk ye therein". The second time I heard the voice was when I received a vision of the cross and Jesus (Yeshua), said now you are sealed for the work that I have for you to do. The voice was different than the baptism but yet strong and firm.

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The foundation for hearing God's voice is the Bible. When we read the Bible, rightly dividing the Word of truth, we perceive the voice of God speaking to us through it.

it is a concern that people are receiving voices without reference to Scripture. What people need to realise that demons can mimick any voice that you can imagine, and they do such a good job of it you wouldn't know the counterfeit from the original unless you had the discernment of spirits.

This is how clairvoyants can be very convincing when they bring up old Aunt Molly from the dead in a seance. The demon can copy Aunt Molly's voice so that it really does sound like Aunt Molly. And they can give details about her that no one else knows because these demons have been observing and studying her all her life.

It is a settled fact that nine out of every ten impressions and voices come from the world, flesh, or the devil.

Both God and the devil speak through your mind and your thoughts. Just by hearing it, you cannot tell which is which. Just because it sounds reassuring does not mean that it comes from God.

Your only benchmark is what the Scriptures say, and you have to make a distinction between the Scriptures that deal with the Old Covenant and those which deal with New Covenant people.

So, a good knowledge of the Scriptures is essential for being sure that the voice that is speaking in your mind is the Holy Spirit.

Oscarr said:

it is a concern that people are receiving voices without reference to Scripture. What people need to realise that demons can mimick any voice that you can imagine, and they do such a good job of it you wouldn't know the counterfeit from the original unless you had the discernment of spirits.

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It is my concern that you are teaching this stuff contrary to scripture!

John 10:2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

This is how clairvoyants can be very convincing when they bring up old Aunt Molly from the dead in a seance. The demon can copy Aunt Molly's voice so that it really does sound like Aunt Molly. And they can give details about her that no one else knows because these demons have been observing and studying her all her life.

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And you know this.... how???

It is a settled fact that nine out of every ten impressions and voices come from the world, flesh, or the devil.

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This is neither scriptural, nor is it a statistical fact. In fact, I imagine you are the only person on earth with whom this is a "settled fact" !

Both God and the devil speak through your mind and your thoughts. Just by hearing it, you cannot tell which is which. Just because it sounds reassuring does not mean that it comes from God.

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Also not scriptural.

Your only benchmark is what the Scriptures say...

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Why is this? Did God leave us with no Guide, no Counselor to lead us into all Truth? Do you believe that Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit expired once the Bible was completed, and that now we must rely upon our own ability to study and comprehend rather than upon a relationship with the One who cares?

So, a good knowledge of the Scriptures is essential for being sure that the voice that is speaking in your mind is the Holy Spirit.

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Ok, it most certainly does help to know the scriptures. But what doesn't help, are many of the doctrines that keep us from expecting God to be a real factor in our lives. He did not die or go on vacation, and leave us with nothing but the Bible to guide us. There is a big difference between being cautious, and purposely dissuading people from any attempt to follow the Voice of God.

Mark 9:42 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.

God speaks straight to my heart, he is sometimes firm (when he knows I'm ready to wrestle) and sometimes he just says, I love You, so sweelty. He knows what we need, he is compassionate and loving. Like a human Father, but more in tune to our thoughts. He is never, "do this or else" more "you need to do this"

Tobias said:

It is my concern that you are teaching this stuff contrary to scripture!

John 10:2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

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So, how does this reference show that relating an inner voice with Scripture is contrary to Scripture. Does the Psalm say "my inner voice is a light to my path and a lamp to my feet?"

And you know this.... how???

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By studying the work of the prominent Pentecostal and Charismatic authorities on the occult and spiritual warfare.

This is neither scriptural, nor is it a statistical fact. In fact, I imagine you are the only person on earth with whom this is a "settled fact" !

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It was the opinion of Jesse Penn Lewis, after observing things that went on during the Welsh Revival. She was seen as one of the foremost authorities on spiritual warfare in her time.

Also not scriptural.

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You don't provide any proof to back up your statement, either from Scripture or any contemporary author on the subject.

Why is this? Did God leave us with no Guide, no Counselor to lead us into all Truth? Do you believe that Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit expired once the Bible was completed, and that now we must rely upon our own ability to study and comprehend rather than upon a relationship with the One who cares?

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God did leave us with a guide. The Bible. Dr Lester Sumrall says that if we want to know the will of God, read the Bible. If we want to be led of the Spirit, do the Bible.

Most false cults started because a person favoured an inner voice over the clear teaching of Scripture. I had a Mormon say to me when I quoted Scripture to prove that what he was saying was nonsense, "I don't care what the Bible says!"

So it is not a matter of choosing between the Bible and an inner voice, it is discerning whether the inner voice really does come from the Spirit by having a good knowledge of what the Bible teaches.

For example, last year, a prophet went on line and gave a prophecy that the city of Christchurch NZ was going to have another big earthquake at the end of September last year, because God was angry at the people and wanted to judge them. The prophecy never came to pass. Also, someone with any Bible knowledge would know that God poured out all His anger on Christ when He died on the cross, and so there is no more anger in the heart of God toward people, rather that He is dealing with people on the basis of grace and mercy. The only time when the wrath of God will be shown will be at the Judgment and that will be towards the devil and those who rejected Christ.

So there is a shining example of a person who believed an inner voice without reference to Scripture, and it had the effect of bring the prophetic movement into disrepute.

Ok, it most certainly does help to know the scriptures. But what doesn't help, are many of the doctrines that keep us from expecting God to be a real factor in our lives. He did not die or go on vacation, and leave us with nothing but the Bible to guide us. There is a big difference between being cautious, and purposely dissuading people from any attempt to follow the Voice of God.

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Again, you would have no indication whether the inner voice you are hearing is the voice of God or a counterfeit spoken by a demon, unless you have a good comprehensive knowledge of the Bible and what it says in different places, cultures and situations.

[qipte]Mark 9:42 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.[/quote]

Instead of plucking a verse out, let's look at the verse in its context.

Firstly, Jesus is talking to the disciples before they were born again and filled with the Spirit. They were still living under the Old Covenant, subject to the Law.

Next, Jesus is referring to little children, and He is saying that the person who comes to Him with a child like faith as the simplicity of faith as a little child. He is not referring the inner voice of the Spirit at all. Jesus goes straight on to say that if there is anything that hinders a child-like faith it needs to be broken away from us. He is also saying that whoever is not for us is against us.

A wider knowledge of the Gospels will show us that the people that Jesus got really angry with were the religious leaders who thought they had it all together. The Pharisees had a lot in common with our modern day Pentecostals and Charismatics. They believed in the Trinity, in the resurrection, and they were very particular about obeying the Scriptures and living a totally holy life. They were very condemning with people who broke their rules of holiness. Sound familiar?

So the whole passage in context has nothing to do with being led of the Spirit or hearing His voice. It has all to do with having a child-like faith in God and not allowing anything to get in the way of it.

So, you say that you are hearing the voice of God. Is it leading you to preach the Gospel with the demonstration of the Spirit and of power? Are people getting healed when you lay hands on them? Are demons being cast out?

If you are truly being led of the Spirit by hearing your inner voice, go and lay hands on the next person you come across who has a medical condition. To prove that you are really hearing the inner voice of the Spirit, they'd better be healed!

Oscarr said:

So, you say that you are hearing the voice of God. Is it leading you to preach the Gospel with the demonstration of the Spirit and of power? Are people getting healed when you lay hands on them? Are demons being cast out?

If you are truly being led of the Spirit by hearing your inner voice, go and lay hands on the next person you come across who has a medical condition. To prove that you are really hearing the inner voice of the Spirit, they'd better be healed!

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That isn't how it works.

Many people in the Bible were asked to do things by God. He asked Abraham to leave his friends and family, and Jonah to preach to Nineveh. So far, He hasn't asked either of these from me!

The Apostles were told to preach the good news of the Gospel. They were told to lay hands on the sick and cast out demons. Once again though, these are things other people were told to do, not me.

For me, the Bible is not some generic "Voice of God" that I have to use magic to try to figure out what applies to me and what doesn't. Nope. God is personal. When He wants me to do something, He just has to talk to me!

Many times what He asks does compare with things others have done before me, and happened to be recorded in the Bible. But that is not my problem, one way or another. My job is simple, determine when it is God speaking to me, and then make myself available to do what He asks. Now granted, I do have quite a foundation of the Word in my heart already from years of Christianity. So I don't want to be too flippant about my care-free attitude towards checking everything with scripture. But if you were to double check the procedure for obeying God that was followed by all the heroes of the Bible, you will find very little said about searching the scriptures before being obedient!

Apparently God's voice is not so difficult to follow, as many uneducated people throughout the Bible have successfully done so. This is why I say that you are not teaching scripture when you claim otherwise; and in fact boarder on causing the "little ones" to stumble when you teach that "90% of the people who try to follow God's voice get it wrong!"

Tobias said:

That isn't how it works.

Many people in the Bible were asked to do things by God. He asked Abraham to leave his friends and family, and Jonah to preach to Nineveh. So far, He hasn't asked either of these from me!

The Apostles were told to preach the good news of the Gospel. They were told to lay hands on the sick and cast out demons. Once again though, these are things other people were told to do, not me.

For me, the Bible is not some generic "Voice of God" that I have to use magic to try to figure out what applies to me and what doesn't. Nope. God is personal. When He wants me to do something, He just has to talk to me!

Many times what He asks does compare with things others have done before me, and happened to be recorded in the Bible. But that is not my problem, one way or another. My job is simple, determine when it is God speaking to me, and then make myself available to do what He asks. Now granted, I do have quite a foundation of the Word in my heart already from years of Christianity. So I don't want to be too flippant about my care-free attitude towards checking everything with scripture. But if you were to double check the procedure for obeying God that was followed by all the heroes of the Bible, you will find very little said about searching the scriptures before being obedient!

Apparently God's voice is not so difficult to follow, as many uneducated people throughout the Bible have successfully done so. This is why I say that you are not teaching scripture when you claim otherwise; and in fact boarder on causing the "little ones" to stumble when you teach that "90% of the people who try to follow God's voice get it wrong!"

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This is a good post.