I’m Hearing From God; Here’s What He Told Me

How does it strike you when someone claims to be “hearing from God”?

I was thinking the other day about how I’ve heard people claim to have been “hearing from God.” They relate these “hearings” as though they had some special connection to the Throne of Grace that the rest of us do not have.

I’m referring to someone who, for instance, speaks words written on a page and would have us believe that God in effect “dictated” those exact words to them.

There was a period in human history when people really were hearing from God. We called those people prophets, and the words God gave them are recorded in the Bible.

The problem I have with people claiming to be hearing from God today is: there’s no way to verify it.

A time with I heard from God — but not in explicit words.

Now I’ll seem to contradict myself, but I’m really not. I want to tell you about a time when I heard from God. You’ll see that my example is not the same as what I described above.

I was vacillating over whether or not to leave the security of a job with a big, solid company, with all the usual benefits, and step out on my own. I would be leaving safety, security… and a corporate culture I did not fit into very well.

As I walked across the company parking lot one morning, suddenly…

It was as though a floodgate had opened, and wisdom from outside of my being had been injected into me. Not an audible voice; just an intense “knowing” in my spirit.

I was immediately able to put words to what I knew.

I realized that God was communicating this thought to me: if I did not take the opportunity to step out in faith, it would mean that I did not trust Him to provide for me and my family.

Let me say emphatically: those are MY words, NOT Gods words. But in that moment I KNEW what to do and I felt this incredible wave of peace come over me.

Do you see: that is not the same as someone reading specific words in a “Thus sayeth the Lord” kind of statement. I’ve listened to people doing that.

Anyway, as I was reflecting on this recently, suddenly the Scripture below came to my mind. It tells of a wise Pharisee cautioning his colleagues regarding what the apostles were teaching. Here’s the story:

34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.

38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” (Acts 5:34~39)

Wouldn’t you agree, that sounds like good advice for when you hear people say they’re hearing from God. Watch and see. If it’s not from God, it will come to nothing.

But now, here’s another dimension to consider carefully!

When someone says, “God told me {whatever}”, aren’t they in effect trying to add to the Word in the Bible that God has given to us?

God has warned us not to do that. (emphasis mine:)

5 Every word of God proves true;
      he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Do not add to his words,
      lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. (Proverbs 30:5~6)


Here’s what I’m thinking. Two things:

First: However many remaining years God grants me, I plan to invest them in internalizing (yes, I mean memorizing and then being guided by) as much of the Word of God as I can, and learning to apply it diligently [that is, “marked by persevering, painstaking effort”] into my own life.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Please don’t ignore the practice of scripture memory.
You can do it, and it’s not so tedious and boring as you may believe.
Satan and his demons want you to ignore this advice. Don’t let the enemy win!
Take a step of faith.
Follow the link at the bottom and at least hear me out on this subject.
Thanks! ~ jan

I say these things knowing that even if I were to live a thousand lifetimes, I would not come close to taking hold of all the wisdom found in God’s Word.

Second: As I am able, I plan to share what God has poured into me with others and encourage others to do likewise. That’s what I’m doing right now! After all, did not Paul say repeatedly in various ways:

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)


Join me and let’s ask God for this:

May my thoughts be in harmony with Your thoughts, Lord. | Word Blessings | Hearing From God

God loves it when we think His thought. He encourages us to keep tuned in to His Thoughts.

If we can continue to make progress according to that wisdom… good deal, right?

We know we can’t please everybody, but ultimately there’s only one opinion that really matters.

Know what I mean?

- Jan



 
 

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