Hearing God’s voice is one of the most beautiful things that a believer can experience. It takes many forms – from feeling led to do something to hearing an actual voice. But, because we are imperfect beings that have the ability to fool ourselves with prejudice, hallucinations, and even lies, it is important that we know how to test in order to see if it is really God that is speaking.
Exodus 15:26
and he said, "If you will diligently listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and will pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Yahweh who heals you."
Exodus 23:20-22
But if you indeed listen to his voice, and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and an adversary to your adversaries.
Hearing God Is Always About Obedience
Exodus 24:3
Moses came and told the people all the words of Yahweh, and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice, and said, "All the words which Yahweh has spoken will we do."
Deuteronomy 27:10
You shall therefore obey the voice of Yahweh your God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command you this day.
Psalms 95:7
For he is our God. We are the people of his pasture, And the sheep in his care. Today, oh that you would hear his voice!
Even Hearing God in the New Testament Refers to Obedience and Faith
Hebrews 3:14-19
3:14
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
3:15
While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
3:16
For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
3:17
But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
3:18
And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not ?
3:19
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Being Led By God’s Spirit – A New Testament Concept
Romans 8:13-14
8:13
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
We like to read the second scripture alone to justify or explain a “mystical and myserious” leading of the Holy Spirit, but one must understand the context to being led. Study this chapter.
Galations 5:16-18
5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
5:17
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
5:18
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
There are very real dangers in “being led” by our own feelings and relying an a “inner peace” to guide us.
2Ti 3:6
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Pe 3:17
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
How, then can we test whether or not we are hearing His voice?
1. Does it encourage you to follow God’s Word?
2. Does it encourage you to look for His perfect will?
3. Does it match the direction of God’s anointing?
4. Does it unite you to other believers with the same leading?
5. Does it encourage you to be accountable to those around you?
Making Sure You Are Really Hearing
1. Search God’s Word for Direction
2. Get A Second Opinion
3. Find Someone To Agree With You
4. Stay Connected To God In Prayer
5. Be Willing To Make Changes & Adjustments
6. Be Faithful and Diligent
