God is that You?

‘God said/told to me…’

It’s something we’ve probably all claimed at some point in our lives.

But how exactly do we discern the difference between God’s voice and our own subconscious thoughts?

More importantly are we willing to hear the answers if we don’t like them?

Let’s start with John the Baptist. John the Baptist was Jesus’s second cousin and as John had recently been imprisoned he sent a message to Jesus though a couple of his disciples.

In Luke 7:18-22 we read:

John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.

In a roundabout way John is questioning his current situation in relation to the sovereignty of Jesus. It’s almost as if John is saying ‘I announced your coming in the wilderness and we’re cousins so you’re going to get me out of the this prison right’?

Jesus’s response proves that He is the Messiah. However, His response also proves John’s deliverance is not contingent upon His larger mission which is restoring the Kingdom of God on earth by redeeming all those who believe in Him by bringing them the Holy Spirit.

We know that the story of John the Baptist ends in his death by beheading so he was not physically rescued by Jesus.

So wait, you’re telling me Jesus is just going to leave me in my circumstances when I cry out for help?

Certainly not. Crying out to Jesus while in despair is never a bad thing to do.

In fact Psalms 77:1 states:

I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.

However we must be prepared that for an answer that might not be what we expected.

Romans 8:28 says

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

But sometimes our good is not aligned with God’s good.

In Isaiah 55:9 God states:

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Ok. So what does this have to do with hearing from God?

Quite a bit actually.

If our ear is only hears from God when it’s favorable is that really God?

That sounds more like wishes being granted by the genie in the movie Aladdin.

To be honest this isn’t an exact science so here are a few recommendations.

Proverbs 11:14 says

Without guidance, a people will fall, but with many counselors there is deliverance.

In essence we don’t always hear from God in a vacuum. It’s important to be engaged in Godly community so that you can share what you think you might be hearing so it can refined or redirected if it has not been received properly.

Also test what you’re hearing according to the word of God. If the voice you’re hearing contradicts the laws of God it’s probably not God. Again, Godly community can you help you sort this out.

In summary there is no exact science to always know if you’re hearing God’s instructions (if it all) correctly.

You must test what you’re hearing against the scriptures and share what you’re hearing with Godly men and women who can help you reveal God’s true path for your life.