Does Jesus speak to you?

[YahuahSaves]

there's false teaching on CF.

Yes, only when you get into the denominational categories where a religion starts to overtake the scriptures and the NT teaching. But, I was speaking overall

 

[sparow]

If sarcasm was not intended, please explain your quote above ^

I regret having caused you injury.

 

[YahuahSaves]

I regret having caused you injury.

You did no such thing... but if you're not going to take my thread or people's experiences with God seriously, then perhaps it's best you be on your way.

 

[swordsman1]

Saying that God's voice throughout scripture is only used metaphorically actually then denies that anyone in the bible heard God speak to them directly, which is untrue.

That's not what I said. I said WHERE God's voice is used AS A METAPHOR then it invariably refers to scripture. Of course God literally spoke to people in the bible (to Adam, to Moses, to Paul, to prophets, etc, etc, etc.). But John states that Jesus was speaking figuratively here in John 10 with regard to him being a shepherd, us being sheep and the sheep "hearing his voice". I see nowhere where God's "voice" is used as a metaphor for thoughts and feelings, but plenty of places where it is used as a metaphor for scripture.

To deny that Jesus speaks to us in the same ways now as he did then is to deny the Living God. Revelation 1:18

How’s Our God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient?

Again that is not what I said. Of course God is omnipotent and could speak to someone audibly today if he wanted to. He could even cause your pet dog to speak on his behalf if he wanted to. But how many people, in a sound state of mind, REALLY hear God literally speak to them in an audible voice? Let alone on a regular basis.

 

[YahuahSaves]

But how many people, in a sound state of mind, REALLY hear God literally speak to them in an audible voice? Let alone on a regular basis.

You deny that you were saying what I assumed you were saying, and then you said it straight out at the end of your post ^
If you aren't hearing God in ways that are clear in scripture, then perhaps you need to ask him to help you with your unbelief? Because there are those who are open to God speaking to them in any way he sees fit. He never says anything contrary to scripture and those that do hear him, know it's him when he speaks.

But John states that Jesus was speaking figuratively here in John 10 with regard to him being a shepherd, us being sheep and the sheep "hearing his voice".

God spoke throughout scripture and he never stopped speaking. He is silent when he is testing our faith, or wants us to mature in it, but he still listens and speaks to believers.

Hebrews 3:6-8

6 But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.[a]

7 That is why the Holy Spirit says,

“Today when you hear his voice,
8 don’t harden your hearts
as Israel did when they rebelled,
when they tested me in the wilderness.

He could even cause your pet dog to speak on his behalf if he wanted to.

You said this ^ you don't deny God can do anything, but then you deny the possibility he can speak through thoughts? No one said anything about "feelings", only "in the spirit", which is completely different.

I see nowhere where God's "voice" is used as a metaphor for thoughts

Have you never had a thought of scripture come into your mind when praying, and it answers a question? What about a thought to avoid something, that you subsequently ignored and it turned out the thought "you" had was right? Often it takes discernment with our thought-life, but eventually you understand the differences.

 

[swordsman1]

You deny that you were saying what I assumed you were saying, and then you said it straight out at the end of your post ^

At the end of my post I asked you a question. You never answered it.

If you aren't hearing God in ways that are clear in scripture, then perhaps you need to ask him to help you with your unbelief?

If you think me and the 99.99% of Christians who do not hear God AUDIBLY speaking to them are suffering from unbelief then that's fine by me. I presume by your hostile response that you yourself have sufficient belief and hear God speak audibly?

God spoke throughout scripture and he never stopped speaking. He is silent when he is testing our faith, or wants us to mature in it, but he still listens and speaks to believers.

Hebrews 3:6-8

6 But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.[a]

7 That is why the Holy Spirit says,

“Today when you hear his voice,
8 don’t harden your hearts
as Israel did when they rebelled,
when they tested me in the wilderness.

And you think "his voice" in Hebrews 3 is speaking of a literal audible voice?

You said this ^ you don't deny God can do anything, but then you deny the possibility he can speak through thoughts?

I never said that. Of course an omnipotent God could beam thoughts into our heads if he wanted to. But now you are now into the realm of telepathy and extra-sensory perception. Those are more the trademarks of New Age mysticism than Christianity. I see nowhere in scripture that says Christians should expect God to speak to us by telepathy. I cannot even think of any examples in the historical narratives (which are descriptive, not prescriptive).

Have you never had a thought of scripture come into your mind when praying, and it answers a question?

Of course, but that is from my memory by having a biblical mindset, not telepathy. Certainly God speaks to us through scripture.

What about a thought to avoid something, that you subsequently ignored and it turned out the thought "you" had was right? Often it takes discernment with our thought-life, but eventually you understand the differences.

Having correct thoughts doesn't mean that they were planted there by God. Thoughts and ideas are a function of the human brain. Unbelievers also have correct thoughts. I don't see anywhere in scriptures that says we should expect God to us speaks to us through our subjective thoughts. Instead I see such verses as:

Isaiah 55:8 "My thoughts are not your thoughts"

Proverbs 28:26 "Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool"

Proverbs 16:2 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

 

[YahuahSaves]

If you think me and the 99.99% of Christians who do not hear God AUDIBLY speaking to them are suffering from unbelief then that's fine by me. I presume by your hostile response that you yourself have sufficient belief and hear God speak audibly?

I've heard God speak audibly (as in, the ears) once. And I know people who have heard the same thing. Refer to my post #25
Also, what are you basing your statistical "99.99% of Christians" on?

At the end of my post I asked you a question. You never answered it.

The poll answered it.

And you think "his voice" in Hebrews 3 is speaking of a literal audible voice?

I was using scripture to show he says "listen to my voice", often. God speaks in a myriad of ways (refer to the poll), God spoke in these ways throughout scripture. What makes you think he stopped?

I never said that. Of course an omnipotent God could beam thoughts into our heads if he wanted to. But now you are now into the realm of telepathy and extra-sensory perception. Those are more the trademarks of New Age mysticism than Christianity. I see nowhere in scripture that says Christians should expect God to speak to us by telepathy. I cannot even think of any examples in the historical narratives (which are descriptive, not prescriptive).

Not necessarily. When God speaks to us in the spirit, it can sometimes manifest in the mind. You seem to think they are isolated from one another, but they're not.

Having correct thoughts doesn't mean that they were planted there by God.

So having a thought about a future event you could have no way of knowing, except for a thought, comes from "common sense"? I doubt it.

 

[swordsman1]

I've heard God speak audibly (as in, the ears) once. And I know people who have heard the same thing. Refer to my post #25

You said you heard God speak audibly to you when you were trying to sleep. How do you know you were not entering a lucid dream state, where dreams seem incredibly real? You said you were paralysed at the time and had to force yourself to move, well that is a symptom of sleep paralysis which is common when waking from or entering into sleep. I frequently experience both of those myself. I think nothing of it.

But if you believe that was God speaking to you audibly that is fine by me.

Also, what are you basing your statistical "99.99% of Christians" on?

Read that as "the vast majority"

I was using scripture to show he says "listen to my voice", often. God speaks in a myriad of ways (refer to the poll), God spoke in these ways throughout scripture. What makes you think he stopped?

In Heb 3:7-8 when it says the Israelites "hardened their hearts" against God's voice and "rebelled" against God, it wasn't the audible voice of God they heard. The "voice" they heard were the commandments God gave Moses. ie scripture. This is another example of God's voice being a metaphor for scripture.

Not necessarily. When God speaks to us in the spirit, it can sometimes manifest in the mind. You seem to think they are isolated from one another, but they're not.

You'll have to show me, with biblical proof, exactly what you mean by "God speaks to us in the spirit" and how it "sometimes manifest in the mind"

So having a thought about a future event you could have no way of knowing, except for a thought, comes from "common sense"? I doubt it.

No that is called having a "gut feeling". I could have a gut feeling that the stock market could go down in 2023. That doesn't mean it is God speaking to me and therefore it will happen. Sometimes our gut feelings are right, but more often than not they are wrong.

 

[YahuahSaves]

You said you heard God speak audibly to you when you were trying to sleep.

I usually think a lot before going to sleep I said. At the time my light was on, I was laying in bed, not tired at all and just "thinking", and I started thinking about God (I believed in the heavenly Father all my life from my upbringing) but was only taught Jesus was Gods Son who died on the cross, never taught about the Holy Trinity or that Jesus is God. So I'm thinking about God, then start thinking about Jesus and pondering the bible story, which started me wondering about him and what he was like while on Earth. Now, it's very difficult to explain to someone who's never experienced it, but the sound of his voice came "through" the air, not like a person would sound if they were in the room, but it was beyond it? For lack of a better word. The sound was to my right and coming from above, it "cut down" toward the right of my bed, from the ceiling to halfway to the floor, in what was literally seconds after I heard the voice and it hit me in the heart and stilled my mind I had glanced to where the sound came from, and didn't have time to react in fear because of the kindness. His voice was so kind I felt immediately unworthy. There's not one person alive on earth who even comes close to that level of kindness, which looking back, makes me understand what God’s mercy is.

I wasn't paralysed either, I was "stilled", like being held, but that did frighten me because it was so confronting how human and feeble I really am, and I did not want to face it. I'm very independent, always have been, and I guess deep down I wasn't ready to be humbled.

 

[YahuahSaves]

Read that as "the vast majority"

Does the poll indicate this so far?

 

[YahuahSaves]

In Heb 3:7-8 when it says the Israelites "hardened their hearts" against God's voice and "rebelled" against God, it wasn't the audible voice of God they heard. The "voice" they heard were the commandments God gave Moses. ie scripture. This is another example of God's voice being a metaphor for scripture.

You mention Moses, who heard God speak, as did many others throughout scripture. You can't cherry-pick, you either believe God for what he says in scripture, or you don't.

The parable of the mustard seed comes to mind.

Matthew 17:19-20

19 Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?”

20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.[a]”

 

[YahuahSaves]

No that is called having a "gut feeling"

You seem to have a "logical" answer for everything... well, I can't convince you of the power of God, only he can.

John 14:12-14

12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

 

[swordsman1]

I usually think a lot before going to sleep I said. At the time my light was on, I was laying in bed, not tired at all and just "thinking", and I started thinking about God (I believed in the heavenly Father all my life from my upbringing) but was only taught Jesus was Gods Son who died on the cross, never taught about the Holy Trinity or that Jesus is God. So I'm thinking about God, then start thinking about Jesus and pondering the bible story, which started me wondering about him and what he was like while on Earth. Now, it's very difficult to explain to someone who's never experienced it, but the sound of his voice came "through" the air, not like a person would sound if they were in the room, but it was beyond it? For lack of a better word. The sound was to my right and coming from above, it "cut down" toward the right of my bed, from the ceiling to halfway to the floor, in what was literally seconds after I heard the voice and it hit me in the heart and stilled my mind I had glanced to where the sound came from, and didn't have time to react in fear because of the kindness. His voice was so kind I felt immediately unworthy. There's not one person alive on earth who even comes close to that level of kindness, which looking back, makes me understand what God’s mercy is.

I wasn't paralysed either, I was "stilled", like being held, but that did frighten me because it was so confronting how human and feeble I really am, and I did not want to face it. I'm very independent, always have been, and I guess deep down I wasn't ready to be humbled.

That doesn't sound like how God spoke audibly to people in scripture. When God spoke audibly in scripture it was like talking to a person. In fact people had verbal conversations with Him.

So whatever you experienced, it doesn't sound biblical.

Even if you believe God spoke to you audibly ONCE in your life, he hasn't spoken to you since has he? So you can hardly claim that it is a normal way for God to speak to people.

Does the poll indicate this so far?

3 people claiming they heard God audibly speak is hardly representative of all Christians (1 of whom would be yourself). And if we were to examine each experience individually I bet they wouldn't be clear cut examples either.

Regardless, Christian doctrine is not determined by other people's experiences, but by scripture. We cannot prove the veracity of people's stories of things they experience. There is a reason why no court of law accepts hearsay evidence.

You mention Moses, who heard God speak, as did many others throughout scripture. You can't cherry-pick, you either believe God for what he says in scripture, or you don't.

Where does it say in scripture that Christians should expect to hear God audibly? Just because God spoke audibly to Moses doesn't mean he must speak audibly with us. Peter walked on water and healed people with his shadow, does that mean we should be able to do so also? If God commonly speaks to Christians audibly or via telepathy then there would be instructions in scripture telling us to expect God to speak to us that way. But there isn't. Instead it says:

Psalm 119:105 “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”

2 Tim 3:16-17 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK."

2 Peter 3:2 "I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles."

Joshua 1:8 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.

2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

The parable of the mustard seed comes to mind.

Matthew 17:19-20

19 Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?”

20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.[a]”

That is not the parable of the mustard seed, but anyway how does that passage relate to hearing God speak?

You seem to have a "logical" answer for everything... well, I can't convince you of the power of God, only he can.

John 14:12-14

12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

Again, how does that relate to hearing God speak?

 

[Lost Witness]

Peter walked on water and healed people with his shadow, does that mean we should be able to do so also?

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:"

 

[swordsman1]

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:"

Your point is?

 

[Lost Witness]

. Peter walked on water and healed people with his shadow, does that mean we should be able to do so also?

Absolutely, Why not?

 

[Lost Witness]

Your point is?

We limit Ourselves when it comes to our experiences in our walk with the LORD,
He doesn't nor has His Gift Changed.
Same Blessing is given to his First disciples as it will be to his last,
GODS Holy Spirit is a Spirit Of 'POWER' and TRUTH.

 

[swordsman1]

Absolutely, Why not?

Can you walk on water or heal people with your shadow, or know anyone else who can?

 

[Lost Witness]

Can you walk on water or heal people with your shadow, or know anyone else who can?

It's the LORD who does those things,
It was never "peter" who healed,
it was always the LORD Working through them.

 

[swordsman1]

It's the LORD who does those things,
It was never "peter" who healed,
it was always the LORD Working through them.

Does the Lord enable you to walk on water, or to heal people with your shadow?