Barbra Gentry-Pugh

The Heartbeat of God’s Voice

September 18, 2022

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalms 32:8 (NLT)

“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” Psalms 119:15-16 (ESV)

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” Hebrews 1:1–2 (ESV).

Have you faced a dilemma and you really needed to hear from God? Have you needed to make a decision and needed divine wisdom and direction from God?

For over a year I have been sharing in my Facebook Ministry Group “Kairos Moments for Women of Faith” about hearing and responding to the voice of God. I have posted many times about Kairos Moments, those special moments when God speaks, and acts in the human affairs of our lives. A precise time, so perfect it could only have been originated and designed by the Master and Creator of the Universe. It is a decisive moment within time when God acts, and we respond never to miss His best for us. A time when God gets our attention creates an opportunity for essential growth and incredible transformation.

However, it was apparent after recently speaking with some ladies, that some further discussion and, illumination was needed! There are several questions to be considered such as, How do I hear from God? How can I know when God is telling me to do or not to do something? Does God still speak to us today? What is the key to hearing God’s voice? How can I know if I am hearing God, hearing Satan, or hearing my own thoughts? When we are listening for God’s voice, how can we know that He is the One speaking? What does it mean that God speaks in a still small voice? How can I know the hand of God moving in my life? These questions have been asked by countless people throughout the ages and a range of answers has caused some confusion and controversy.

As a PK (Preacher’s Kid) growing up in the church, I have heard these phrases “God told me this, or God is telling me this or that.” You may have also heard it said, “the Lord told me to tell you….” As a young Christian, I often wondered why God would tell them and not tell me” As I began to study the Word of God, I understood that God has gifted people in the church to be able to speak into the lives of other Christians. The gift of Exhortation and the offering of biblical advice are important within the community, however, the message will always be in accord with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

The God of creation loves us, and He delights in communicating with us as His children. He loves us so much and will never leave us to fumble through life and deal with our often fickle-minded thoughts. He desires to speak and commune with us. He is faithful and will respond to our needs with compassion and mercy! What a blessing it is to speak and hear from this awesome omniscient, and omnipotent God. Many of you know that one of my favorite Scriptures is Psalms 32:8! The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. (NLT) God is faithful to His Word!

Let’s Be Real Clear! To hear God’s voice, we must belong to HIM. It is those who have been saved by His grace through faith in the Lord Jesus. Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” These are the sheep who hear and recognize His voice because they know Him as their Shepherd!

How To Prepare To Hear The Voice of God? We hear His voice when we spend time in Bible study and quiet meditation and reflection of His Word. It is easier to recognize His voice and His leading in our lives the more time we spend intimately with God and His Word. We should be so familiar with God’s Word that when someone speaks error to us, it is clear that it is not of God. Just as bank employees as trained to recognize counterfeits by studying genuine money so closely that it is easy to spot a fake.

People often want to pray about a particular matter or hear a specific word from God when He has already spoken in a general sense. Using common sense is always in order. For example, you may be pondering the idea of whether to take the family on a two-week vacation to Hawaii or even a short-term mission trip. Now if the family cannot afford it, perhaps a specific word from God is unnecessary. This would be a good time to exercise wisdom. Both could be beneficial to the family and building the kingdom i.e., for opportunities to share their faith and be an encouragement to other believers. However, using wisdom in regard to expense and current affairs must be considered.

How Do I Hear From God?

It is a natural desire of every Christian at one time or another to have wondered, “How do I hear from God?” We as His children want to know what He has for us and are eager to please our heavenly Father. The Word of God, the Bible, is really clear on how we hear from God! Hebrews 1:1–2 says, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (ESV).

Before the personification of God, His Son Jesus, God spoke through His prophets. We heard from God through men such as Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Micah, Malachi, and the other prophets. They relayed messages from God, and often their words were written down and preserved so we would always know His promises, His law, and His redemptive plans.

There were times when God spoke directly to people. In Genesis 12:1; 17:1; and Joshua 5:13–15 God spoke directly to Abraham and Joshua. He spoke to Jacob through dreams in Genesis 28:12–13. He spoke to Ezekiel through visions, Ezekiel 1:1. Saul began to hear from God and spoke for Him when “the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him”, 1 Samuel 10:10. Others did not hear directly from God but through His chosen mouthpiece or His written Word. King Jehoshaphat asked to hear from a prophet of God in first and second Kings. Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, pursued to hear from God through the prophet Elisha in chapter 8 of 2 Kings. Isaiah told the people of Judah also in Isaiah chapter 8 that they had a responsibility to read to consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning by reading the written Word of God already delivered to them. John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament prophets.

In the New Testament, communication with God changed. With the birth of Jesus and His ministry, today, God speaks directly to us. Jesus’ teachings are God’s direct revelation of who He is. He says in John 6:63, “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (NLT) Jesus Christ was the greatest of God’s revelation; He is the Final Word to us. In the Bible Jesus’ words are recorded for us!

How Does God Speak Today? God is God and He can decide how He desires to communicate to us. Although God could speak audibly to His people today, He speaks primarily through His written Word. Sometimes God’s leading can come through the Holy Spirit, through our consciences, through circumstances, and through the exhortations of other people. By comparing what we hear to the truth of Scripture, we can learn to recognize God’s voice. If you are hearing God’s voice, then the message will always be in accord with His Word, the Bible.

RX: A LISTENING HEART Hebrews 1:1–2 says, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (ESV). We should all take great care not to misrepresent God. Instead of saying, “God told me this,” a better approach would be to say, “I think God may be saying this or that, what do you think?” Many people will claim to have heard God’s voice, saying, “God led me to do this,” when in fact it was simply their own thoughts and desires that led them in a particular direction.

FATHER GOD: Thank You for Your Son Jesus who made it possible for us as Your children to communicate directly with You, in the Precious, Powerful and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen.