Discerning God’s Voice
How do I know if I’m hearing God’s voice?!
Life can get noisy! Making it difficult to tell what is God’s will in my life, and what is my own.
These are some steps I take to seek out what God is saying:
STEP 1: READ GOD’S WORD
I can’t know my Father’s voice if I don’t read his Word. Podcasts and blogs (like this) aren’t my one-on-one relationship with Jesus; because it’s someone else’s interpretation of God’s Word. These things can be a great encouragement, and helper. But if I want his will to be active in my life, I have to know what his will is. I can only do that by reading his Word!
A little note: if this is an area you struggle in. Find an interpretation of the Bible that you connect with, I read the New Living Translation (NLT) because it makes sense to me. Find a translation that does that for you. Also, have grace for yourself, your Bible doesn’t have to be read in a year. There are no reading rules attached to it. The important part is making it a practice, even if it’s just a paragraph or sentence a day.
STEP 2: ASK FOR WISDOM
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. HE WILL NOT REBUKE YOU FOR ASKING.
James 1:5 New Living Translation
I ask God for wisdom and discernment. I pray for guidance to do what is right in his sight and hear his voice clearly, above all others, even my own.
STEP 3: LOOK FOR FRUIT
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self- Control. There is no law against these things.
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
If what I am thinking about, or doing is not producing these fruits from the Holy Spirit in me, it’s not God’s voice.
I know I’m being Holy Spirit Led when these fruits/characteristics show up in my thoughts, desires, actions, and treatment of people.
I find out what fruits I am producing by honestly assessing what is happening around me. How am I treating people? What words would be used to describe my actions and thoughts?
If I am angry, prideful, envious, etc… My fruits will produce ugly actions like starting arguments with my husband, being irritable with my daughter, comparing myself to others, which can cause bitterness, and insecurity, etc… These are the wrong fruits to “feed”.
When I talk about “feeding” fruits, I’m talking about focusing on the characteristics produced in me by the Holy Spirit. These are the only thoughts that I can allow to stay in my head. If my self-talk isn’t filled with words of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, it’s not God’s voice and I don’t have to listen those lies.
And let’s be honest, if I’m not talking to myself in a loving fruitful way, I won’t be talking to others or treating them any better than I am treating myself.
My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble.
Proverbs 3:21-23 NLT
The Quick and Simple,
Read God’s Word. Pray and ask God for wisdom and discernment. Then focus on feeding the good fruits. Even if they are super tiny. I promise they will grow and so will your ability to hear God’s voice.
Prayer:
Lord, please bring your wisdom and discernment into everything I do, think, and say. I want to live a life that honors you. I know my actions aren’t my way to salvation because that is a free gift you have given me. But the way I act and think impact my heart, feelings, and treatment of others. I confess that I am weak and need your strength. I put my trust in you to strengthen me and guide me so that I produce the fruits of your Holy Spirit within my life. Lord, I ask to hear you clearly so I can follow your plan for my life with confidence. Jesus, it’s in your precious name I pray and trust. Amen.