> As believers, we often find ourselves at crossroads, faced with important decisions that can significantly impact our lives. In these moments, we yearn to hear God’s voice and follow His guidance. However, distinguishing between God’s voice and our own desires can be challenging.
This article aims to help believers develop discernment in hearing God’s voice and making decisions aligned with His will.
Know God’s Word
The foundation of discerning God’s voice is a thorough knowledge of Scripture. God will never contradict His written Word. As Psalm 119:105 states, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Reflect on these questions:
- How often do you study the Bible to understand God’s character and ways?
- In what ways has Scripture guided your decision-making in the past?
Pastor John Piper emphasizes this point: “God’s voice in your heart is never independent of God’s voice in the Scriptures.” Regular Bible study helps us align our thoughts with God’s truth.
“God’s voice in your heart is never independent of God’s voice in the Scriptures.”
John Piper
Cultivate a Listening Heart
Developing the ability to hear God’s voice requires intentional practice. We need to create space for silence and reflection in our busy lives. 1 Kings 19:11-13 describes how Elijah heard God’s voice not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper.
Reflect on these questions:
- How much time do you spend in quiet reflection and prayer?
- What distractions might be hindering your ability to hear God’s voice?
Richard Foster, author of “Celebration of Discipline,” writes, “In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in ‘muchness’ and ‘manyness,’ he will rest satisfied.”
Check Your Motives
Our own desires can often masquerade as God’s voice. It’s crucial to examine our motives honestly. James 4:3 warns, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
Reflect on these questions:
- Are you willing to accept God’s answer even if it differs from your preferences?
- How can you ensure your desires align with God’s will?
A.W. Tozer wisely noted, “The man or woman who is wholly and joyously surrendered to Christ can’t make a wrong choice—any choice will be the right one.”
Seek Godly Counsel
Proverbs 15:22 advises, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Seeking wisdom from mature believers can provide valuable perspective and help confirm God’s leading.
Reflect on these questions:
- Who are the godly mentors in your life that you can turn to for advice?
- How open are you to receiving counsel that challenges your initial thoughts?
Dallas Willard, in “Hearing God,” suggests, “God’s voice in our heart is usually not a booming bass voice. It’s usually the voice of your most reasonable thoughts.”
Pay Attention to Circumstances
While not definitive on their own, circumstances can be part of God’s guidance. Acts 16:6-10 describes how Paul’s missionary journey was redirected through closed doors and a vision.
Reflect on these questions:
- How have you seen God’s guidance through circumstances in your life?
- Are you open to God’s redirection when your plans don’t unfold as expected?
Corrie ten Boom once said, “When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.”
“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.”
Corrie ten Boom
Test for Peace
Colossians 3:15 instructs, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” While emotions shouldn’t be our sole guide, a sense of God’s peace can often confirm His leading.
Reflect on these questions:
- How do you distinguish between God’s peace and your own emotional preferences?
- Can you recall a time when God’s peace guided you in a decision?
Elisabeth Elliot wrote, “Does it make sense to pray for guidance about the future if we are not obeying in the thing that lies before us today? How many momentous events in Scripture depended on one person’s seemingly small act of obedience!”
Be Patient and Willing to Wait
Sometimes, discerning God’s voice requires patience. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Reflect on these questions:
- How comfortable are you with waiting on God’s timing?
- Can you think of a time when waiting led to a clearer understanding of God’s will?
Oswald Chambers cautioned, “Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given.”
Conclusion
Discerning God’s voice from our own desires is a skill that develops over time through practice and intimacy with God. It involves knowing Scripture, cultivating a listening heart, checking our motives, seeking godly counsel, paying attention to circumstances, testing for peace, and being patient.
As we grow in this discernment, we can take comfort in God’s promise in Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
May we continually seek to align our hearts with God’s, trusting that as we draw near to Him, He will guide us in every decision, big and small.
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