Hearing the Voice of Our Lord

When someone claims to hear from God, we typically think of Joseph Smith, Muhammad, or other cult leaders. They probably heard from a spirit, but it was not the Holy Spirit. We know all claims that contradict scripture are false because ”All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” II Timothy 3:16

The Word of God speaks about the Holy Spirit at work in believers:

* “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…” John 16:12
* “Today if you hear God’s voice speaking to you, do not harden your hearts against Him, as the people of Israel did when they rebelled against Him in the desert.” Hebrews 3:15
So to hear the voice of the Lord, start with the Word of God. When we seek the Lord in His Word with total humility, the Holy Spirit will illumine and ultimately transform our minds. (Writing insights into a diary is also helpful.) The closer we get to Him, the more we can hear His voice. You want to hear the audible voice of God? Terrific – just listen to your pastor, or someone else (or yourself) reading the Bible out loud.
Prophesy foretells things to come, and more importantly, declares truths through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit. This is speaking the Word of God into someone’s life, just as the Holy Spirit speaks His Truth into our lives when we are in the Word. That’s what Luther did with the large and small catechisms, and what good pastors do – led by the Holy Spirit, they speak His Word into our lives.
In Ephesians 6:18, the apostle Paul admonished the believers to ”pray(ing) always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit”. As prayer is not just asking for stuff, this means being aware of what the Holy Spirit is communicating to us and watching for divine appointments the Lord has for us with people He brings across our path.
Several years ago, I was driving on a dark rainy night through a forested area southwest of Pine Bluff. I had a sudden realization that I couldn’t stop if a deer bolted out of the forest, and an impulse to slow down. I slowed down, and several seconds later the biggest doe I have ever seen passed right in front of my car. I was surprised I didn’t hit it, and believe it was the Holy Spirit who warned me, probably saving my life.
Life in the Spirit is the greatest adventure of all time, as the Lord calls us to be salt and light to the world. So let us start each day with the Lord, become in tune with the Holy Spirit, and reach out to others with the love and truth of Christ, for time is short, we are not guaranteed tomorrow, and eternity is forever.

To God be the glory