This is a question that people have always asked me: ‘How do I discern the voice of God?’ Or ‘How do I know the difference between God’s voice, my voice, and the enemy’s voice?’ It is so important for us to know the difference between the three so that we are not deceived by the enemy. Here are four ways to discern the voice of God:
John 10:2-5 (ESV)
“But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
#1- Read The Bible
How do you expect to know the voice of God if you never read your Bible or even spend time with God? Reading the Bible is the foundation on which we stand. This is how we grow in Christ Jesus. This is where we get pruned (the process of removing all that does not belong), this is where we become pure, this is where we go from being a flaky Christian to a Christian that stands on solid rock and is established. This is where we find our identity in Christ Jesus. This is where we go from being a baby Christian to a Christian that is spiritually mature. This is where we make sound decisions. This is how we spend time with God. The more time you spend with God, the more you know His voice, and the more you discern the difference between. Know the God you serve. We don’t have time to sit around and let our Bibles collect dust and do nothing with God for the Kingdom of God. I never want to hear God tell me or anyone “Depart from me I never knew you.” Get into your word and get to know God. Jesus is coming back. We need to be ready for His return.
#2- Applying The Word
Romans 12:1, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all that he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice–the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” We must live out a life that is pleasing, holy and acceptable unto the LORD. God is so loving and full of mercy, we are unable to give anything to Him except our lifestyle of worship and praise, because He is so worthy of it all. Everytime you study scripture, apply the word to your life. The more scripture you read, the more application to your life, and the more you live a life that is holy and acceptable to the LORD.
#3- The Word is The Sword
The enemy will do everything that he can to get you to not apply God’s word to your life. What the enemy wants is for you to put down the Bible and not pick it back up. The enemy knows that if you are not picking up your Bible to read it, you are more susceptible to falling back into sin. This is where spiritual warfare comes. It is crucial for us to gear up and put on the full armor of God. As we read our Bibles we are sharpening our knowledge on the word of God. The more we spend time with God and hide His word in our heart (Psalm 119:11) the more we combat the enemy. Use God’s word, declare what God says over your life. Speak the truth over your life. The devil is the father of lies, and is skilled in deception. We as believers have got to have sharp discernment and continue to sharpen our discernment so that we do not fall under the lies and deception of the enemy.
#4- Know the Names of God
Storytime: When I was first saved at 17 years old I never truly understood the goodness of God, I mean how could I when I only knew “good” in my life, or at least what I thought was okay. Later in life, in my early college years, I hit rock bottom in my life. I hit the lowest point in my life and I still tried to sustain myself, which drove me almost to insanity. I was so far outside of God’s will for my life that I was literally going insane. I kept hearing voices in my head, my thoughts were so loud I couldn’t get them to be quiet. I had severe depression and anxiety. I went to a therapist and I was diagnosed with G.A.D (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), if you don’t know what G.A.D. is–it’s basically having anxiety 24/7 about everything and there is no way to control it. It would get so bad that my chest would hurt for days, and I had anxiety that God forbid I would have a stroke or a heart attack from how anxious I was. After I rededicated my life back to God and surrendered completely, I moved into a homeless shelter and God brought me into my pruning season. He removed everything that was doing me harm and I had a big hole in my heart that only God could fill. I sought God like never before. I would get up at 4:00 A.M. every morning and I would study my Bible for hours until 7:00 A.M. everyday for months. After a few weeks of doing this, I was sitting on my bed and I noticed that the hole in my heart was almost gone. I was so happy and I thanked God and I said to Him, “Oh my God! It’s smaller! Thank you! God I have to tell everyone about you! I have to tell everyone what you have done for me!!” God is Jehovah-Rapha (God is my healer). God has heard my cries. He is my Elohim-Shama (The God who hears). Learn the names of God and ask Him to reveal Himself to you in how you need. If you need provision, Jehovah-Jireh (God is my provider). If you are lonely, call His name, Jehovah-Shammah (The God who is there). God has so many names. Learn His names and get close to Him.
