Hearing God Speak (1)
During the rest of the week, I want us to look at what the scriptures say about hearing the voice of God. I want us to look at a few bible characters who were well acquainted with hearing the voice of God and explore some scriptural references to hearing God speak. I won’t say that I am an expert at hearing God, but I have some ideas that I think maybe helpful to help us grow in confidence in this area. I believe that one of the primary ways in which we hear God speak is through the inner witness of the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus left the earth, he promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come. “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me” (John 15:26).
The Holy Spirit within us is the third person in the God head and the manifestation of God himself. We often hear the Holy Spirit through a still small voice within us, leading and guiding us. The Holy Spirit also speaks through us to minister to other believers about Jesus. We pray in other tongues through the Holy Spirit to the father and the Holy Spirit does the inner work in us to transform us into the image of God. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Earlier in chapter 10, Jesus mentioned that his sheep (children) will not follow the voice of a stranger, because we know the voice of the father.
Have you ever been in an area where you heard a voice telling you to leave that area or leading you to go in a different direction? Have there been times when you felt a need to contact someone? You made contact with them and they shared that they were desperate for someone to call and encourage them? What about a time when you are desperately in need of something and you heard a voice prompting you to contact a particular person or to go to a specific place. You follow that prompting and you are led to the answer or the provision of that need.
All of the above examples sound quite simple and basic, but often is the leading of the Holy Spirit. Many people have shared experiences of times when they felt led to change their regular route to work. This would have led to them missing a major accident. There are testimonies of people who were due to be in the building during 911, who were otherwise delayed or deterred and believe that the Holy Spirit protected them. As we continue this discussion, we will delve a bit deeper into other ways in which we hear God speak and how we can increase our discernment of his voice.
A.P.-Y.
Published by Anneta Pinto-Young
I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession.
Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm.
I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing.
I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.
View all posts by Anneta Pinto-Young
Published
July 8, 2021July 8, 2021
