But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative – that is, the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:26 NLT
I am writing this on a Monday during a season that a very popular musical program, THE VOICE, is on television. Tonight is another step forward toward the finals where the four judges determine who moves forward. Soon it will be the viewership voting, and they will choose one of the finalists as “the Voice” of the year. This is the contestant the viewership believes has the most talent, influence, and ability to capture fame, fortune, and a career as a musician. However, The Voice doesn’t always get it right. Often the one who is selected as “the Voice” has their best days during their winning streak and never goes further to fulfill their dream.
Spiritually speaking, it is crucial that we identify the right Voice, the promised voice of God Himself through the Holy Spirit. How do we do that? How do we truly hear from God? These are a few ways I find helpful that I see illustrated in the lives of people and the words of Scripture that communicate God clearly. In backwards order, try these ways in a spirit of humility to hear the Voice: Start by simply listening to your conscience. Your conscience is a simple but very valuable gift God has given you. If your conscience is troubled, take a deeper listen. Look for God in the places you know He lives and is easily found. Check out your environment, the people in it, the distractions, the input. Find the places/people where God is most likely to be found. When your spirit has a sense that God is saying something through prayer or Scripture, write it down. Perhaps share with a trusted and godly friend who can help you discern and confirm what God is saying to you. Read the Scriptures. I particularly love the gospels, and rarely ever read them without hearing God’s voice very clearly and directly. Shut up and listen. If my grandson Griff heard me say this, his eyes would widen and he would remind me we are NOT allowed to say that. 😊 In most cases I would agree, but I truly believe that for me and many like me, our failures to hear the Voice is closely tied to our inability to be quiet and listen. We spend too much time thinking and talking. Sit with God and see what He says. Believe that God is speaking to you. Believe that God is speaking things that to obey will be good for you, good for people, and good for His Kingdom. Remember that God has always asked people to do things that are beyond their own capacity. Believe that He will speak to stretch your faith, get you to take risks, and make you more like Jesus. Obey in faith that you hear His good voice, and the voice will become more and more clear.
Most importantly of all, just ask. He wants to speak to you. Let Him know you are listening. He will speak and you will know His voice. The right Voice.
- Begin expecting every day to hear from God. As you prepare, expect, and obey, you will.