Growing up, I was always fascinated when people said God spoke to them. I’d ponder, “How did God speak to them?” “How did they hear Him?”
It took me years to understand that God actually speaks to us all. And it takes listening for His voice and obeying Him in little or general things, to be able to discern His voice from that of the world, our spirit and the devil.
God can speak to one through:
- Dreams, visions and trance, like we see in the Bible. E.g. Joseph the carpenter, Solomon, etc.
- Men and women of God, like we see in the Bible when God spoke through His prophets like Isaiah, Elijah, etc.
- The Bible – when we read and meditate on His word.
- Our thoughts.
One vivid way God speaks to me is through my thoughts. Then He drives it home through other speakers when I’m having a conversation, when I’m in church, when I’m at an event, when I’m reading the Bible, when I’m reading a book or even when I’m scrolling through the social media.
God also speaks to me through dreams but this is secondary. Most times, the interpretations to my dreams are not direct, so for every dream that seems like a message from God, I scrutinize it with the Spirit of God in me and with the word of God. They must not clash.
Imagine having a child who can’t differentiate your voice from that of strangers or from that other member of the family? That’s how it hurts God when we His children can’t tell His voice from that of other voices. We hurt Him even more when we hear and refuse to obey Him. If you desire to hear God, the steps below can help you, as they helped me.
- Service to God and men: In the place of service, you can receive instructions and learn skills that will help you discern right from wrong even without been told, no matter how complex the situation is.
The watchword for true service is LOVE. Anything you do without love will weary and burn you out. And you’ll most likely miss out on the inherent benefits of true service. It was while serving in church, my campus fellowship and in TWTW, that I sharpened my ability to hear God clearly.
- Associate with those who obey promptly when they discern God’s voice: Doing so births in you the desire to hear God and it boosts your faith when you start receiving seemingly strange instructions from Him.
My relationship with my spiritual mentors helped me to obey God when He prompted me to write my first book, SINGLE, FRUITFUL, FULFILLED, and other instructions He has given me.
- Obey general instructions: Yes. The Bible features many general instructions for life and godliness. So obey them. Also, obey instructions from the authorities God has placed over you. E.g. the government, your parents, pastors, mentors, group admins, teachers, bosses, etc. The more you obey general instructions, the more you sharpen your ability to hear God clearly.
- Obey specific instructions: So you’ve been obeying general instructions. It’s only a matter of time before you hear some specific instructions from God. He has assignments for each of us; it takes a willing heart and a listening ear to hear and obey Him. When God gives you a specific instruction, it could be something as simple as, “Shut the door gently” or as difficult as “Apologize to that (wo)man who offended you”. Whatever you do, just obey. Don’t try to analyse or rationalize the instruction.
The more you obey God, the more He gives you specific instructions. God won’t give you a new instruction until you have obeyed the last one.
- Choose to honour God: Let your desire to hear God be premised on the desire to please and honour Him; not for fame, not for recognition and not for the accolades; but just because He is God. And He deserves our honour.
God honours those who honour Him – whether they’re Christians or not. (E.g. Rehab, the Hebrew midwives, Ruth, Virgin Mary, Abel, Noah, Abraham, etc). When you honour God by obeying Him, He’ll reward you with honour beyond your imagination.
As a Christian, one chief thing you should desire in your personal relationship with God is the ability to hear Him clearly. Not just concerning the big issues of life – like choosing a life partner; but also in the little things – like the clothes to wear.
God is very interested in the nitty-gritty of every area of our lives and He’s got them all figured out. Wouldn’t you rather listen to the One who knows your end from the very beginning?
We’d be saving ourselves from unnecessary pains and disappointments when we seek Him early to get His blueprint for our lives and walk with Him to bring them to pass.
Feel free to ask any questions you may have on this in the comments.
Till I come your way again next week, remember to stay safe and stay connected to the only source of true Love – God.
