Developing
the Discipline of Listening
Part
Three – Discerning the Voice of God
In the previous lessons we studied the
discipline of listening to God. We
learned from Hebrews 3:7 that the Lord is speaking to those who are in covenant
relationship with Him. Verse 7 reads, “Therefore,
as the Holy Spirit saith: Today, if you will hear His voice.”
As believers one of our most important
priorities is to spend time in prayer receiving inspiration and direction for
our lives. Fifteen times the Word of God
directs us to “hear what the Spirit is saying.”
With all the voices and noises competing
for our attention today how do we discern the voice of God? How do we know that God is speaking to our
hearts? There are a number of ways that
God will speak to us. In this study I
want to focus on three:
First, the voice of the Lord will be
corrective. You can be assured that
voices from our own flesh will prove only to puff us up or to bring pride. The voice of the enemy will seek to get you
to take revenge on those who may have hurt or wronged you. This voice is the voice of compromise that
encourages us to sin.
God loves us so much that He is
willing to correct us when we are wrong.
As parents we discipline and correct our children because we love them,
and we are trying to help build and shape their character.
As children of God we must be willing
to submit to correction. This takes
maturity! This is an important part of
the growth process. If you cannot submit
to godly correction and counsel, then you find yourself in a cold, stagnate
walk with God.
Secondly, the voice of the Lord will
be comforting. In 1 Corinthians chapters
12-14 the nine gifts of the Spirit are revealed. We learn in I Corinthians 14:3 – “But he who
prophesies speaks edification, exhortation, and comfort to men.”
When God speaks to you it will be for
your help and counsel. He speaks to
encourage and strengthen you in your walk and relationship with Him. He will guide us and direct us through the
hardships and sufferings that come because we live in a fallen-world.
Third, the voice of the Lord will be
Christ-centered and Biblical. I
Corinthians 2:14 – “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit
of God, for they are foolishness unto him; nor can he know them because they
are spiritually discerned.”
When we hear what we believe is the
voice of God it must be weighed and balanced in the Word of God. The acid test
is does it line up with God’s Word. God
never speaks contrary to His Word. The
Word of God is the final authority.
Let me encourage you to spend time
quietly worshipping in His presence. As
you develop the discipline of listening for God’s voice your prayer life will
grow deeper and you will grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
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