How do I know if God is speaking to me?

[Tink]

People often say that the Holy Spirit told them to do this, or that.... How do I know if God is talking to me? Will I actually hear His voice, or will it simply be a thought in my head? Sometimes I think of weird things, but I wonder if I came up with it somehow, or if the Holy Ghost was saying something. I'm so confused. I WANT to be obedient to my Father, but I don't know how I can if I can't hear what He's telling me to do! I don't want to "miss the boat" if you get my meaning. Please pray for me. If anyone can help, I appreciate it.

In Christ,
Tink

PS. I know my profile thingy says I'm Christian. I'm Nondenominational (Bible believing church), but tend to lean toward Assembly of God/Pentecostal beliefs. I didn't know what to put, so I went with the simplest one. Thank you again. <><

 

[TheListener]

I'll pray for you.

 

[TheListener]

Father God fill Tink to overflowing with your Holy Spirit, seal her so that she knows beyond all doubt that you are her father and she is your daughter reconciled through Christ. Bless her abundently and to the devil of unbelief I tell you to get your dirt rotton hands of this child of the living God, I tell every devil that would try and thwart this child to go in the name of Jesus, Lord help Tink in any areas of unbelief and help Tink to be full of faith, and to hear your word,

Fill Tink with faith in your word

Faith in Christ

Faith in you

Faith and fullness of the Holy Spirit in every way

Renew and transform Tink's mind and beliefs in every way and we delcare over you that indeed you are Christs and have the right and indeed God calls you to come boldly into his throne room of grace and mercy.

Amen

 

[Tink]

Thank you, Listener, for your prayer. It is very much appreciated.

 

[Jessica Lauren]

I'll be praying for you.

 

[DawnTillery]

Last week I prayed for our Heavenly Father to help me with a decision, but I went on with my week rushing here or there, not really paying attention, then when Friday came, I took a rest and laid down for a nap, when I woke up what I had asked Him to help me with, was bothering me so bad, I couldnt think about anything else but that -- Finally I prayed and said to Him that I felt he was telling me what to do and I would take care of it first thing in the morning and the feeling of not being able to think about anything else but that went away... Coincidence? I think not, I had just been so rushed to listen and when i finally did, He was there stronger then ever...

 

[Greyshade89]

I think that God will speak to you in a way that he knows you will understand..I had the same problem..I was confused. But eventually I came to understand the voice of the Lord. Im praying for you. God Bless!

 

[whatseekye]

I think that the best way to know whether we are being led by the Holy Spirit is to understand the Will of God better, and the best way to know the way that God looks at things is to study the Bible and know it very very well. We can consult the bible at any time, to check up on whatever we think that the Holy Spirit might be telling us.

When Paul was preaching, he praised the Bereans over the Thessalonians because the Bereans checked the scripture to verify the things that he was saying (while the Thessalonians didn't verify?). (Acts 17:11)

You often hear people speak on this subject about the "still small voice of God". The reference is from 1 Kings 19:9-12. (the whole chapter explains more about why he was having this encounter with God.) I think people generally say that you hear God not in the dramatic things that happen but often in the quiet moments or in a very gentle manner.

I think that as long as you know God through an active relationship with him and by studying the Bible, then you can start to gain confidence in what he says to you. Also, you can find a lot of good input from Christians at your church who you trust. Don't be afraid to go talk to an elder or the pastor, or whoever you think has experience.

 

[Tink]

Thank you, everyone.

 

[2Timothy2]

I agree wholeheartedly with whatseekye. The Holy Spirit will never lead us to do anything that goes against Scripture. Put everything to the test of Scripture.

This is how I see it. We are in a relationship with Almighty God. None of us deserves this, but, that's grace. We have to communicate for a relationship to thrive, right? Well, we communicate with Him through our prayers, and He communicates, mainly, with us through His Word. As someone said, "Get into the Word, and get the Word into you." He will use your time in the Bible to guide your thoughts and desires. He knows you want to obey Him.

I struggle with this same thing, as does my brother who feels called to be a missionary. I don't really think it gets a whole lot easier, not to discourage you . We are all, really thinking the same thing as you, you just had the insight to ask.