In your life and studies of the scriptures, do you hear God? I mean, do you really hear God speaking to you or is the idea of hearing God an illusion?
Often we forget, God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24. Therefore, to hear God, which Jesus says we can, requires us to transform our mind from a literal physical mind to a spirit led mind driven by faith.
Many today do not believe in hearing God speak to them. Jesus said, 30 I and my Father are one. John 10:30. And, Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” vs. 27 of the same chapter.
Do you hear the voice of God or Jesus? If Jesus and God are one (or the same; that is in mind and spirit) then when we hear Jesus, we hear God. Likewise, when we hear the Holy Spirit, we hear both God and Christ. The three are together in mind and spirit believing and speaking the same righteous things. This hearing is in the Spirit by faith, not a literal sound speaking into your ear. However, the outcome is the same.
Scripture says we are to be led by the Spirit. Hearing the voice of God in Spirit (in knowledge and understanding) is received in our spirit; mind, heart, understanding.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:14. Remember, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” John 10:27
Therefore, we are either hearing from the Godhead, or we are hearing from another source. That other source can only be Satan.
Let us examine ourselves and determine, are we hearing God, or, are we hearing Satan?
To enter into this exercise, let us read of a time when assumed righteous people believed they were hearing God when they were really hearing Satan.
TURN TO JOHN CHAPTER 8
Let us begin reading at verse 12. 12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. 14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. 15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. 16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. 17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
Do you, or do you know of family or friends who question the validity of Jesus? These Pharisees questioned his validity. They wanted many signs to validate who Jesus was. Jesus had given them many but they, being skeptical, or unbelieving, were not any different to people today who do not believe without signs. Yet, Jesus had at least two witnesses to validate his work which was in line with the law of Moses; two or more witnesses necessary to acknowledge the testimony as truth. Jesus had himself and God, his father. Who else was needed?
Verse 19. 19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
How many today know God because of knowing Jesus? Unfortunately, not many know both God or Jesus. There are not many who really hear Jesus or God speaking to their heart and soul. They do not know whom to follow, therefore, they are following the wrong leaders.
Are we following the wrong leaders? How can we know for sure?
Verse 21. 21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. 22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. 23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
How many might believe Jesus is the Christ, yet still not hear him or God speak? The Pharisees believed they were of the family of God, yet Jesus said those who believe not that he is He, meaning the Christ, would die in their sins. Jesus boldly told them from whence they were; Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. Vs. 23.
There are some today who do not believe Jesus is the Christ. There are some who do, yet from whom are they listening? To be in a position to be saved, everyone must do as Christ commanded them to do in this life. To be a true disciple of Christ, we must hold to his teachings. John 8:31-32. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. And, verse 51. 51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. This death spoken of is spiritual death which will reward one with eternal life in heaven.
Therefore, just because you know of Christ, but do not hold to his teachings, you are no longer in a position to be saved on the last day. You are not hearing his voice. LET US CONTINUE
Verse 25. 25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. 27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. 28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
With wisdom, Jesus spoke to the heart of those hearing his voice. Through their knowledge of their own scriptures–Law of Moses–they began to understand the prophecies.
But, still many refused to believe. Today, with the writings of many witnesses recorded in the New Testament, many hear or listen to the wrong voice. LET US CONTINUE
Like unto those written about in this instance, many still dispute the validity of Jesus as the Saviour of the world. Many have created their own gods and prophets by some other lineage. Now we shall see their argument concerning who they hear.
Verse 31. LET US READ THE ENTIRE PASSAGE
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. 38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. 39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
Jesus teaches those who believe ‘on him’. If we believe ‘on him’ also, he speaks unto us. Are you hearing his voice? When we hear and believe, it is the Spirit of God dwelling in us who is verifying the voice of God or Jesus. They are the two witnesses required to verify the truth. We know his voice and we pay attention to it.
How many have livestock or pets at your house? Does your dog obey your commands? Many nod their heads yes. What about cattle recognizing you and your voice? Do they come to you? Do they come to a stranger in their pasture?
You all know animals know and obey their owners and no other. Hearing the voice of God or Jesus is like unto that. Jesus said, 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: John 10:27. Knowing the voice of Jesus and God, through the Holy Spirit, will lead us to victory over evil. If you are not of the flock of Christ, you will shy away from a strange voice.
Those who hear the voice of Jesus shall know the truth and the truth shall set them free of sin and punishment, death (spiritual death). But, one must continue in the word of Jesus.
Man cannot claim they are righteous and follow after the wrong voice. Their heritage cannot save them either. The Pharisees used Abraham as their Savior. To be a child of Abraham, one had to do the works of Abraham. (vs. 39) Those works were to believe in God. It was by faith in God by which God chose Abraham and his descendants to be his people. They, the Pharisees, did not have the same faith as their earthly father, Abraham. They did not the works of Abraham. They wanted to kill Jesus.
Because they did not hear the word of Jesus, they could not believe. Those not hearing God, nor Jesus–one in the same–they will not believe and be saved.
The works the Pharisees were doing were from their ‘father’ Satan. They were doing what he would do. They disbelieved in Jesus as ‘The Christ’. They were living as their ‘father’, Satan. They were doing the things the world does.
How many today put on airs of being a Christian, yet still do the things the world does? Are they not hearing Satan, their ‘father’? Are we falling victim to something similar? We must examine ourselves to not be as the world, hearing Satan.
Are ye of God? Do you hear the voice of God? Verse 47. 47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
It requires one to concentrate upon the will of God to hear by faith the voice of God speaking to you. John 14:23. 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. Now verse 26. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Have you received the Comforter? Peter said you would receive him if you are baptized for the remission of your sins. Acts 2:38. 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
John 16:13. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
How do we hear the Spirit if we do not transform our minds to operate in the Spirit; especially to properly worship God in Spirit?
Is the Spirit of Truth dwelling in you? If it is, Jesus, also, dwells in you and will guide you to all truth. With this indwelling, you shall hear the voice of God and Christ. If it is not dwelling in you, you cannot hear the voice nor be guided unto all truth.
Again, are you hearing the voice of God by faith? If his spirit is dwelling in you, you would do the works of Abraham–belief in God by faith; loving your neighbor as yourself. In other words, you want to go to heaven, are you trying to bring your neighbor along, also? Or, are you living and acting as the world? Are the voices in your head really from Satan? Is it saying, “Let them find their own way”. Unfortunately it is easy to say this. That is what Satan wants us to think and do.
The voice of God tells us to seek the good for our neighbor; try to get them to believe and be saved.
