Hearing God's Voice Part 1: God Likes to Speak

Hearing God's Voice
Part 1: God Likes to Speak

John 10:27

“But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
John 10:26-27

1. The Bible speaks of a God who speaks.

“You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols.”
1 Corinthians 12:2

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”
Romans 8:14

2. God invites everyone to hear from him.

“O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:19-21(NIV)

“Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:39-42

“Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.”
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no-one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.”
1 Corinthians 14:1-3

- Does it line up with scripture?

“And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.”
Acts 17:11

“A growing acquaintance with the Holy Spirit will always mean an increasing love for the Bible.”
A. W. Tozer

- Does it lift up Jesus?

“But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.”
John 15:26

“I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.”
Galatians 1:6-8

- Does it build up the body?

3. Pray for better hearing.

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”
James 1:19

“Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.
”Mark 4:21-25

“I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the Lord says.”
Habakkuk 2:1