4 Keys To Hearing God's Voice

Hearing God's Voice 

Introduction: 

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Key #1 – God’s voice in your heart often sounds like a flow of spontaneous thoughts. 

Habakkuk knew the sound of God speaking 2 him (Hab. 2:2). Elijah described it as a still, small voice (I Kings 19:12 ). I had always listened 4 an inner audible voice, and God does speak that way at times. However, I have found that usually, God's voice comes as spontaneous thoughts, visions, feelings, or impressions.  For example, haven't u been driving down the road and had a thought come 2 u 2 pray 4 a certain person? Didn’t u believe it was God telling u 2 pray? What did God's voice sound like? Was it an audible voice, or was it a spontaneous thought that lit upon your mind?

Experience indicates that we perceive spirit-level communication as spontaneous thoughts, impressions and visions, and Scripture confirms this in many ways. For example, one definition of paga, a Hebrew word 4 intercession, is "a chance encounter or an accidental intersecting." When God lays people on our hearts, He does it through paga, a chance-encounter thought “accidentally” intersecting our minds. Therefore, when u want 2 hear from God, tune 2 chance-encounter or spontaneous thoughts.

Key #2 – Become still so u can sense God’s flow of thoughts and emotions within.

  

Habakkuk said, "I will stand on my guard post..." (Hab. 2:1). Habakkuk knew that 2 hear God's quiet, inner, spontaneous thoughts, he had 2 first go 2 a quiet place and still his own thoughts and emotions. Psalm 46:10 encourages us 2b still, and know that He is God. There is a deep inner knowing (spontaneous flow) in our spirits that each of us can experience when we quiet our flesh and our minds. If we are not still, we will sense only our own thoughts.  Loving God through a quiet worship song is one very effective way 2 become still. (Note II Kings 3:15 .) After I worship and become silent within, I open myself 4 that spontaneous flow. If thoughts come of things I have forgotten 2 do, I write them down and dismiss them. If thoughts of guilt or unworthiness come, I repent thoroughly, receive the washing of the blood of the Lamb, putting on His robe of righteousness, seeing myself spotless b4 God (Is. 61:10; Col. 1:22).

To receive the pure word of God, it is very important that my heart be properly focused as I become still because my focus is the source of the intuitive flow. If I fix my eyes upon Jesus, the intuitive flow comes from Jesus. But if I fix my gaze upon some desire of my heart, the intuitive flow comes out of that desire. To have a pure flow I must become still and carefully fix my eyes upon Jesus. Again, quietly worshiping the King, and receiving out of the stillness that follows quite easily accomplishes this.

Fix your gaze upon Jesus (Heb. 12:2), becoming quiet in His presence and sharing with Him what is on your heart. Spontaneous thoughts will begin 2 flow from the throne of God 2 u, and u will actually be conversing with the King of Kings!
 

Key #3 – As u pray, fix the eyes of your heart upon Jesus, seeing in the Spirit the dreams and visions of Almighty God.

Habakkuk said, "I will keep watch 2 C," and God said, "Record the vision" (Hab. 2:1,2). Habakkuk was actually looking 4 vision as he prayed. He opened the eyes of his heart, and looked into the spirit world 2 C what God wanted 2 show him. This is an intriguing idea.  God 

has always spoken through dreams and visions, and He specifically said that they would come 2 those upon whom the Holy Spirit is poured out (Acts 2:1-4, 17).

I had never thought of opening the eyes of my heart and looking 4 vision. However, I have come 2 believe that this is exactly what God wants me 2 do. He gave me eyes in my heart 2 C in the spirit the vision and movement of Almighty God. There is an active spirit world all around us, full of angels, demons, the Holy Spirit, the omnipresent Father, and His omnipresent Son, Jesus.

The only reasons 4 me not 2 C this reality are unbelief or lack of knowledge. In order 2 C, we

must look. Daniel saw a vision in his mind and said, "I was looking...I kept looking...I kept looking" (Dan. 7:2,9,13). As I pray, I look 4 Jesus, and I watch as He speaks 2 me, doing and saying the things that are on His heart. Many Christians will find that if they will only look, they will see, in the same way they receive spontaneous thoughts. Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us (Matt. 1:23 ). It is as simple as that. You can see Christ present w/u because Christ is present with u. In fact, the vision may come so easily that u will be tempted 2 reject it, thinking that it is just u. But if u persist in recording these visions, your doubt will soon be overcome by faith as u recognize that the content of them could only be birthed in Almighty God.

Jesus demonstrated the ability of living out of constant contact with God, declaring that He did nothing on His own initiative, but only what He saw the Father doing, and heard the Father saying (Jn. 5:19,20,30). What an incredible way to live!

Is it possible 4 u 2 live out of divine initiative as Jesus did? Yes! Fix your eyes upon Jesus. The veil has been torn, giving access into the immediate presence of God, and He calls u 2 draw near (Lk. 23:45; Heb. l0: 19-22). “I pray that the eyes of your heart will be enlightened….”
 

Key #4 – Journaling, the writing out of your prayers and God’s answers, brings great freedom in hearing God’s voice.

God told Habakkuk to record the vision (Hab. 2:2). This was not an isolated command. The Scriptures record many examples of individual’s prayers and God’s replies (e.g. the Psalms, many of the prophets, Revelation).

I call the process "two-way journaling," and I have found it 2b a fabulous catalyst 4 clearly discerning God's inner, spontaneous flow, bcoz as I journal I am able 2 write in faith 4 long periods of time, simply believing it is God. I know that what I believe I have received from God must be tested. However, testing involves doubt and doubt blocks divine communication, so I do not want 2 test while I am trying 2 receive. With journaling, I can receive in faith, knowing that when the flow has ended I can test and examine it carefully, making sure that it lines up with Scripture.

You will be amazed when u journal. Doubt may hinder u at first, but throw it off, reminding yourself that it is a biblical concept, and that God is present, speaking 2 His children. Relax. When we cease our labors and enter His rest, God is free 2 flow (Heb. 4:10 ). Sit back comfortably, take out your pen and paper, smile, and turn your attention toward the Lord in praise and worship, seeking His face. After u write your question 2 Him, become still, fixing your gaze on Jesus. You will suddenly have a very good thought. Don't doubt it; simply write it down. Later, as u read your journaling, u, too, will be blessed 2 discover that u are indeed dialoguing w/God.

Some final notes: Knowing God through the Bible is a vital foundation 2 hearing His voice in your heart, so u must have a solid commitment to knowing and obeying the Scriptures. It is also very important 4 your growth and safety that u be related 2 solid, spiritual counselors All major directional moves that come through journaling should be confirmed by your counselors b4 u act upon them.