How to know that voice is God speaking

Last night we enjoyed Christian fellowship at a friend’s birthday party. One guest and I had a long discussion about “God told me” and how to authenticate what we hear, or think we hear. We agreed that a good imagination can be dangerous, especially if a desire to hear God speak is added to it. Our own desires can also get into the mix.

This morning, I looked up verses where Jesus said something about hearing Him speak. Here are some of them:

“When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” (John 10:4–5)

“And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

Obviously, He intended to speak to us but how do we know for certain it is Him? There are many voices. The NT says that the enemy disguises himself as an angel of light and has many schemes to fool us. How can I be sure that what I hear is the voice of God and not the enemy trying to mimic Him?

One clue is in what Jesus said to Pilate:

“. . . You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37)

“My sheep” is the same as “those who are of the truth” which tells me not everyone will hear the voice of God. However, this is not limited to people who already have a saving relationship with Him. From stories coming out of the Middle East, I hear that Jesus is speaking to many people, drawing them to Himself with dreams and visions, so His communication is not limited to those who already know Him, people in church, or those with a theology degree.

Before He was crucified, Jesus told His disciples:

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:12–15)

This verse gives more clues: Jesus speaks through the Holy Spirit. His words are timely, given when I am ready to hear Him. He speaks truth that matches what the Father and Son are saying (implied). He can reveal the future. He will glorify Jesus Christ in what He says (not pointing to Himself). He will tell me about Jesus and speaks for Jesus.

Our pastor says, “The Holy Spirit is the only one who can speak to us inside our heads.” He does that, but also speaks through other people such as the prophets, and those filled with the Spirit who are His mouthpieces. He speaks through circumstances, music, even the song of a bird or a sunset or raindrops yet still His voice is within, an affirmation that what we see and hear with our ears is really His message.

In our conversation, my friend and I agreed that we just know it is God. I’m not sure about those who assume such a thing only to later realize they were mistaken. Is that presumption? Wishful thinking? I don’t know. I only know that the Holy Spirit makes Himself real so I know it is Him. He can also give me the same sensation of His presence as when someone is standing behind me and I cannot see him.

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Lord Jesus, walking with the Spirit is not just a silent stroll. Through the marvel of the Godhead You speak to me, conveying your will, knowledge, emotions, as well as the ability to love you, to love others and to experience Your incredible joy and peace. Thank You.

Note: Here are two links to more information: All About Prayer and  Crosswalk

Blindness to unconditional Love

While he may not have intended it, Spurgeon’s morning and evening readings often pack a one-two punch. For this date, he speaks of God’s freely offered love to those who have turned away from God, and of Jesus’ promise that the Holy Spirit will reveal truth to God’s people when they are ready to hear it. 

I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. (Hosea 14:4)

As the devotional writer says, the key word in this verse is “freely” and the reason God can do this is that all anger against sin and apostasy has been poured out on Christ. Jesus died for the sins of every person. That includes every sin, including the sin of backsliding away from Him. How can He love like this? The Bible says that He loved the world and gave His Son to die for us. Not only that, He continues to love the world because His Son died for our sin and self-centeredness that makes us so incredibly unlovable.

God’s love has no conditions attached, no demands to be better people first. Instead, He says that while we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8). We cannot earn His love nor do anything to deserve it. Those who are trying to “stay on the good side of God” have, in a sense, rejected His freely offered love for a position that focuses on their worthiness (which is nonexistent) instead of on His amazing grace.

Some also measure the love of God by their personal comfort and success in life, not realizing that His love isn’t about baubles and short-term trinkets. His love is eternal and about the issues that really matter. He offers us sinners eternal life — freely! He offers His people the power of His Spirit to rise above all that challenges us.

God’s people in the days of Hosea had sinned in turning from Him, yet God called them back and offered healing. In all of their disobedience and unbelief, He still loves them (and us) freely.

Later, Jesus came. He is the love of God personified. His life and death not only demonstrate the love offer made, but He is the offer. What more can God do to demonstrate His love? Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all thing?”

Why do so many insist on creeds and rules and doing things certain ways lest they anger God? Why do so many think that if they are not following the dogma of their religious system they will be lost? Jesus says it is due to blindness in their heart. He told His disciples . . . 

I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (John 16:12–15)

This is the rub. The human heart is corrupted by sin to the point that it cannot accept or even understand the totality of God’s offer. Even those who follow Jesus can be oblivious to many spiritual realities because they are not ready to hear them. God knows our hearts. He can show anyone truth — when we are ready to hear it.

On my prayer list are dozens of people who have heard the Gospel and know at least the words of John 3:16. They are either not interested or busy trying to deserve the love of God by their religious activities. I’ve learned that even though I have many things I would like to say to them, they cannot bear, sustain, or receive them, at least not now. To their ears, the freely offered love of God is a foggy puzzle, a jumble of words.

These verses remind me that the Holy Spirit guides those who cannot hear (me included) into all truth. I need to speak of the freely offered love of God, but also act in ways that show His love is unconditional and does not have to be earned. However, only the Holy Spirit can drive this reality home by taking what is of Jesus and declaring it to those who need to hear it.

I cannot explain why everyone is not hearing about this freely offered love except that Jesus says some are not ready to hear it. This is love too. Just as we lovingly wait for maturity before we tell our children about many realities of life, God also lovingly waits until we are ready.

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Father, it is with bittersweet emotions that I think of these things. I’m glad that You open hearts and that You know when people are ready to know truth. But I ache and deeply desire that Your freely poured out love means something to so many people who are oblivious to it right now. Give me wisdom. Help me know how and when to share this amazing love with others. Yet I also realize only You can open their eyes and ears and hearts to Your incredible grace.