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Listening to the Spirit

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Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Revelation 3:20

This scripture states, “if anyone hears my voice,” but how do we hear the Lord’s voice? How can the Lord guide us when we need his help but cannot hear his voice? The Lord definitely wants us to hear him, and he desires to guide us through life, into eternity with him.

The language of the Lord is his Word. We learn about God, his love, his plan of salvation through Christ, and his commands and promises for us. When you read the Word, pray for what the Lord wants you to understand, because the Word is alive. For the word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12) But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (John 16:13) The Word is alive and the Lord speaks to us through the Spirit, which means the thoughts we have concerning the scripture we are reading are words from the Lord. If we are praying for understanding from the Lord, then expect him to answer with thoughts of understanding. The task is to distinguish our own thoughts from the thoughts coming from the Lord.

The more we read and obey the Word, the easier it becomes to hear the Lord’s voice, because he always answers in agreement with his Word. We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. (1 John 2:3). As we seek the Lord’s guidance in obeying his commands, the more we will recognize his voice. The Holy Spirit will bring relevant scriptures to our minds, guiding us in making right choices.

It is important to capture every thought and immediately go to the Lord, because if we wait the thought gains control of the mind and Spirit’s guidance or conviction will rapidly decrease. God designed our brain this way, for the purpose of training us to quickly go to him. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5). Immediately seeking Godly counsel shows our dependence on the Lord making it easier to hear his voice.

The more we depend on the Lord, the more control we give to the Lord, the better we will hear his voice. We need his Word so that we can minister to others, because everything we say needs Biblical support. The power is in the Words of God. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5) As we obey the Lord’s will, ministering to others, we will hear the Lord’s voice through the Spirit, giving us the words and scriptures to speak. I have been guided many times by the Spirit when ministering to others, teaching a class, or preaching.

Today seek to hear the Lord speaking to you as you remember scriptures to guide you. Take a pocket Bible with you, and if needed seek his voice as you search scripture. I often do this with my cell phone, by entering the topic in Google and searching for a scripture. Be still inside and listen for the thoughts coming from the Lord, thoughts that relate to scripture. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10) Praising the Lord is the highest form of worship and assures us the Lord is near. Be still and listen for his voice.

Prayer: Lord thank you for speaking to me through your Word, through the Spirit, and through other Christians. I can’t describe how great it is to hear your voice, to know the Lord of all creation is speaking to me. Hearing your voice is really humbling and creates a truly thankful heart. Thank you Lord for grace and mercy. In Jesus name, Amen