I was a witness to an interesting conversation recently between one of the members of our congregation and our pastor. Pastor was saying “God told me to tell you…” This member was looking at the pastor with scepticism as he said “You mean God really speaks to you?” To which our pastor replied “Yes, He sure did. He told me what you did yesterday afternoon in your bedroom, just a few minutes before you started talking to me now.” The distinguished member had nothing more to say after that. He was convinced that our pastor had in fact heard from God!
There is not even a semblance of doubt in my mind that hearing from God is the most precious gift a born – again Christian can hope to ever have. As children of God, the outcomes of our actions depend entirely on hearing God’s instructions on what to do and what not to do. We see countless church goers who go to their church week after week, take part in the sacraments, and even receive communion regularly without fail. But even then most people when they pray, they fail to hear or understand what God had to say to them. As a result they do things that are not in line with what God wanted them to do. It takes practice, patience and complete diligence over a period of time to hear from our almighty God.
One never failing way to hear from God is to build a pure and genuine relationship with the Holy Spirit. Let us not forget for a moment that the day we made Jesus the Lord and Saviour of our lives, that was the day the Holy Spirit quietly began to live in the inside of us. For then we started living ‘not by sight but by spirit’. The Holy Spirit is one real person just like you and me. He is so real He starts breathing in our spirits. The Holy Spirit is the guiding Spirit who is supposed to direct our paths (see Proverbs 20:27) By studying the Word, by maintaining a daily awareness of Him as we go about our daily lives, by fellowshipping with Him in prayers and supplications, we increase our chances to hear from Him. All of this takes time, ladies and gentlemen, to hear from God. And when He does! He gives you a clear set of instructions – we just have to obey and do!
One more word here about hearing from God. It is important that we do give Him the time and opportunity to speak to us after we have prayed in tongues and supplications. It can’t be we always talking. He does not want us to pray and then walk away. Listen quietly to His voice. He will speak to you from moment to moment. But you might after a time ask “How do I know that I am hearing from God?” Here’s how…
1. Always expect to hear from God. And believe that He will answer your prayers. (Proverbs 23:18)
2. Pray in the Spirit, i.e. pray according to His Word (Romans 8:26)
3. Continue to pray without ceasing. (Thessalonians 5:17)
4. As you pray, stop for a moment now and then to hear from Him.
5. Remember He will never say or do anything that is not in line with His Word. You cannot pray to Him to kill the President of the United States because that is not in line with His Word.
6. If you have doubts about what you have just heard, speak to your pastor or parish priest. He will guide you. Maybe even agree with you in prayer.
7. When you know you have heard from the Holy Spirit, obey immediately without a doubt. Remember obedience to God’s instructions is the single most important key to greater hearing from Him again in the days to come. Just one word, one word from Him can set you up for success all through your lives.
A time will come when you will become so proficient in your hearing that you will soon jump with joy when you know it was from Him, the Living God. For you are not alone anymore. You have now the only Helper that really matters. As Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
Halleluiah! Glory be to God, Our Father! To Him belongs all the glory!
Bible commentator: Sunder Venkataram (Thane)
