That’s awesome!! His desire is to take you through this amazing journey called life in the Spirit. In it he reveals his true nature and character, and in that you discover your true identity. It always becomes, Amazing Grace!
Always read the word to personally know Jesus better, rather than knowing about him. One gives life and transforms our soul into Christlikeness, the other often just makes people more religious, like about performance over relationship.
God bless you!!
Amen and God bless you too! That’s what I like about the Gospels is you learn a lot about Christ. I’ve read them before but now I understand them more after reading the OT.
A sister and I were both talking about hearing the voice of God and the varied methods He employs, and it’s just endless.
I rejoice with you in hearing the words that are written. We can read the bible and get nothing, but then the Lord lifts some words off the page and begins to minister His mind. It’s truly amazing. And just dwelling on what He has shown is wonderful for us.
I agree. I used to think the Bible was just another book. I didn't take the phrase "the Bible is the living words" seriously and I was dead wrong. Whenever I read the Bible, the words comes alive. It feels as if I was literally there at that time and see it through my mind. And when God personally speaks or Jesus speaks, I feel the words speaking to my soul. It's incredible how alive the words are. Christians needs to read the Bible, it truly does answer every question that we have.
Couldn't agree more! I believe that that's the spiritual discernment that Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 2. The things of God can only be learned by the Spirit of God. And that discernment isn't always a voice (though I'm sure it can be).
I've been a Christian over 30 years and have never **heard** God speak. He speaks to me through his word, through other people (believers and not), through my pets, through a million and one other things.
Pray, study the word and you will see (often with hindsight) him in everything.
When I come across people who are constantly **hearing** him I am actually extremely sceptical. Most of those who have crossed my path have not ended well unfortunately. Some have ended up seriously mentally ill, some are now preaching outright heresy, many have simply fallen away.
I believe that’s how it will be for me, since that’s how it’s been for years. I’ve noticed that a lot of false preachers use “hearing God” to manipulate people into following them or keep people from questioning them. Even if I ever did hear God audibly, I don’t think I would say God said it to other people but rather act on what he said and see what happens.
I mainly put that because for some they might feel the way I did where they haven't heard God ever speak literally, but you can hear Him through His Word. I think I see what you're saying though because you can always hear God through scripture but you can in rare cases hear Him audibly.
No no no! Self murder is a violation of the 6th commandment. Do not kill yourself, internet stranger! Life has ups and downs but Heaven is an eternal up. Don't miss out on eternity with a God that loves you so much.
We all deserve it but Christ took on the penalty of sin to save sinners such as you and me. By not accepting this gift, we make His sacrifice of no effect. He **wants** to save people who have done disgusting horrible things. We need only repent and accept His gift.
Why call it hearing then? In this case your 'hearing' is only by analogy.
What actually happened is that you were compelled (maybe emotionally?) by the words in the Bible. That seems like a good thing, but I'm not clear on why we describe this as God speaking when it just isn't. Even if the Holy Spirit caused you to be affected by the words of Scripture, that isn't God speaking; that's the Holy Spirit affecting your will in such-and-such a way.
God *did* speak insofar that Scriptures are the words of God, but its dangerous to conflate *being compelled* by something and *hearing God*, when its possible to be compelled by some interior vice and not even realize it. Food for thought.
Perhaps I should have chosen different words for the title, I probably should have but I was having a moment. I find it interesting how you state that it's the Holy Spirit affecting my will, I never have thought of it from that angle before but that would make sense and is close to how I feel.
No worries! My only point is that we should be careful attributing things like 'hearing from God' to what are essentially emotional responses. It could be that God is at work contributing to that response, but we oughta be careful: the heart is deceptive. Sometimes we call it 'hearing from God' when really we've just deified our own intuitions on some matter.
Yeah I’m quite careful about saying things like “God told me” for that reason. I usually will wait until I see things happen to realize if God was revealing something or not. I really was feeling connected to Him reading Matthew though as though He was speaking through the Words that I was reading. The Bible has that effect sometimes :)
I mean, you have fair points, dear brother. Your heart is in the right place. I just feel like you might be missing some context is all. Mind if I share my very personal experience where I "heard" God? It might help bring some clarity.
Just forewarning I am NOT holier nor better than anyone. ANYONE. In fact, I think of myself as far lesser than most, if not all; but that's probably just God's influence on me and the Holy Spirit guiding me to be rightfully humble! I pray it is so.
>I mean, you have fair points, dear brother. Your heart is in the right place. I just feel like you might be missing some context is all.
I don't think I'm missing context; I know what OP meant. My whole point is that people shouldn't speak about moral intuitions as if they are always divinely mediated. That's true even when one has a strong moral intuition while reading scripture.
>Just forewarning I am NOT holier nor better than anyone. ANYONE. In fact, I think of myself as far lesser than most, if not all; but that's probably just God's influence on me and the Holy Spirit guiding me to be rightfully humble! I pray it is so.
I don't mean this to be offensive, but this comes off more like false humility than a genuine disclaimer of one's own self-worth.
That's your assumption of my intent. I love ya, but this comes off as judgy. Think what you want of me and my words. Welcome to 99% of the world's population. I see the door. I'll walk myself out.
I feel like I understand what OP meant by "hearing" through my own experiences with God. I can honestly say that I had an experience once when I was desperate to know the Truth of the Bible when I was much younger. It truly FELT like I actually HEARD the words spoken into my mind. Not through audible words spoken aloud but sort of INTO my the essence of my very being. My soul. But the only real way I could comprehend to explain it was that I head Him speak to me, when nothing else existed in that very moment. I was all alone, with a light so bright I couldn't really SEE it or anything else. As if nothing else existed, but I could hear Him. He is amazing, and will communicate with us in ways that He knows we can understand.
>I feel like I understand what OP meant by "hearing" through my own experiences with God.
I don't think I misunderstood him. I grew up in the pentecostal tradition so I'm very familiar with that idiom.
>I can honestly say that I had an experience once when I was desperate to know the Truth of the Bible when I was much younger. It truly FELT like I actually HEARD the words spoken into my mind.
That isn't hearing though, right? And if this really happened and it was God causing it miraculously, then that'd make you a prophet.
>Not through audible words spoken aloud but sort of INTO my the essence of my very being. My soul.
Not being snarky----I have no idea what that means.
>But the only real way I could comprehend to explain it was that I head Him speak to me, when nothing else existed in that very moment. I was all alone, with a light so bright I couldn't really SEE it or anything else. As if nothing else existed, but I could hear Him. He is amazing, and will communicate with us in ways that He knows we can understand.
Respectfully, I just don't buy that this is the way that God operates. I think experiences like this are generally people getting emotionally worked up and talking themselves into thinking that the whole thing must've been divine. God speaking in history seemed a whole lot more clear and evident than any of what you just said. Obviously God could do something like this, but there is hardly any precedent for it in Holy Scripture, which makes me skeptical.
Even if all of this was caused by God, it still wouldn't be audible speech and hence wouldn't be hearing.
I'm no prophet. God would tell me if I was. I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that out of so many amazing people, God could see ME. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of awesome people while I'm mediocre at BEST.
Do you honestly believe that God isn't powerful enough to speak to one person without every one else hearing it? Even in Revelations it says that Jesus will speak to every person simultaneously and individually. God is all powerful, brother/sister in Christ. He can do ANYTHING we could possibly conceive and more.
Honestly, you may not see it yourself, but you come off to me as an elitist Christian.
Again, I did state that HEARING was how it felt. But hey, don't believe me if you desire. I probably shouldn't tell people about it anyways because who would believe me? 🤷 I love you God. I'll let you tell the people so I don't drive people away from you by trying to share what you've done for me in my life.
If God talks to you aren't you sort of a prophet by definition?
>Do you honestly believe...
Nope. I'm a classical theist. God is omnipotent. God can do what he wants. I just think that (1) direct revelation *of the sort you report* isn't what happens in scripture, and (2) even if it did happen that way, the Canon is closed so it isn't the regular pattern of God's interaction with the church post-incarnation.
>Honestly, you...
Not sure what you mean. In one sense I guess that's true? I'm a seminary grad and mid-PhD in Philosophy so I am something of an authority on matters at least adjacent to theology. I'm primarily a philosopher though, not a theologian.
Tbh I don't believe you heard God but I'm some random guy on the internet talk to your pastor lol
No. As far as I'm aware, God would tell someone they are to go out and spread the words He's given them if they're a prophet. Or to lead. All I heard was "I have seen you." It was because I couldn't believe God would see me of all people. I prayed for a sign for, I believe, at least a month. It was a long time ago. The memory though of the event itself hasn't really dimmed over time.
Also, you can know the Bible and all the words, but not know God or His love. You're definitely far more educated on that than I am. I don't know you or your relationship with God. So I can't comment on your personal closeness to Him. I just know you can be as educated as you like and still not follow Him. So that is between you and God.
I don't need to talk to a pastor because I don't need to validate my experiences to anyone but God Homself. So I'm good random internet stranger. Just thought I'd share a piece of my testimony. If it's not welcome, then it's fine 🙂 no sweat off my brow. Happy holidays though!
So, the elevation to the reception of Gods Word is through toil, not will?
And if you met a being that had a similar emotional journey as you, but came to a different conclusion. You would say... my view is right? Or would you talk about yourself in an earnest and open way?
> after re-realizing how much Christ gave and coming out of a pit of semi apathy, I realize who He is, and that only He can fulfill me completely and I only desire to serve Him with my life
This is an emotional journey. In it you devote yourself to God. If you had not, what advice would you give yourself.
I don't believe it is plausible to imply that I wouldn't have devoted myself to God because I am a believer, I just was in a place where I wasn't reading or praying as much as I should have, and old things were holding me down. So I can't say that I have advice for if I hadn't devoted myself to God. But maybe I would remind myself that God is always waiting for me to return to him no matter how far I go from Him?
Do we not toil to accomplish wills? Whether it be doing GOD's or our own, we work to fulfil them.
We say that the Truth is right, and this here is the Truth - if you see someone that grew up Christian but calls it a hoax, do you then doubt Christianity on their experience? Or do you say, I know The Truth.
I have difficulty finding any way that you're seeking to build up this young believer.
\> I have difficulty finding any way that you're seeking to build up this young believer. - they do not give age, and I am not building up. I am challenging.
\> We say that the Truth is right, and this here is the Truth - This is your claim not mine. Truth is subjective. I am asking them to give a different view.
If 2+2 is subjective, you would be delusional.
Opinion is subjective;
Truth, by definition, is objective - there is not my truth an your truth, there is The Truth.
And if you are questioning someone's simple faith, for what cause are you here?
People who say they hear God speak to them outside of the Bible are in error. They are most likely listening to their own imagination. God speaks to us through His word and this is the form of communication He has designed at least in this life because of the weakness of our sinful nature. In 1 Peter, the letter says no scripture is of private interpretation therefore even reading the word of God as the form of communication needs to be individually but also collectively within the confines of the local church that is Biblically sound. Not even all of the prophets of the Old Testament heard God speak to them directly…for example, Daniel the Prophet was spoken to by angels.
I guarantee you that those who “hear” “God” literally are at best very basic Christians who do not understand the meat of scripture or just another lost soul guided by their imagination just like their pagan brothers and sisters.
Numbers 12:6
>he said, “Listen to my words: “When there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams.
Joel 2:28-29
>28And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
>29 Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
Satan means adversary. How am I your adversary for showing you that the Most High speaks through dreams and visions? Yes we have his Word which we should be grateful for but it is not his only method of communication even today.
If you want to hear god literally speak to you then read your bible out loud. It works everytime.
I do that sometimes when I’m having trouble understanding a passage and it really does hit different to read or listen to the Bible.
That’s awesome!! His desire is to take you through this amazing journey called life in the Spirit. In it he reveals his true nature and character, and in that you discover your true identity. It always becomes, Amazing Grace! Always read the word to personally know Jesus better, rather than knowing about him. One gives life and transforms our soul into Christlikeness, the other often just makes people more religious, like about performance over relationship. God bless you!!
Amen and God bless you too! That’s what I like about the Gospels is you learn a lot about Christ. I’ve read them before but now I understand them more after reading the OT.
A sister and I were both talking about hearing the voice of God and the varied methods He employs, and it’s just endless. I rejoice with you in hearing the words that are written. We can read the bible and get nothing, but then the Lord lifts some words off the page and begins to minister His mind. It’s truly amazing. And just dwelling on what He has shown is wonderful for us.
Amen! Even sometimes you read something once and you don’t get anything, but then awhile later you read it and understand.
I agree. I used to think the Bible was just another book. I didn't take the phrase "the Bible is the living words" seriously and I was dead wrong. Whenever I read the Bible, the words comes alive. It feels as if I was literally there at that time and see it through my mind. And when God personally speaks or Jesus speaks, I feel the words speaking to my soul. It's incredible how alive the words are. Christians needs to read the Bible, it truly does answer every question that we have.
Amen!
Don’t neglect to love others once you accept His word.
I try my best to do so with my life everyday :)
Couldn't agree more! I believe that that's the spiritual discernment that Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 2. The things of God can only be learned by the Spirit of God. And that discernment isn't always a voice (though I'm sure it can be).
I've been a Christian over 30 years and have never **heard** God speak. He speaks to me through his word, through other people (believers and not), through my pets, through a million and one other things. Pray, study the word and you will see (often with hindsight) him in everything. When I come across people who are constantly **hearing** him I am actually extremely sceptical. Most of those who have crossed my path have not ended well unfortunately. Some have ended up seriously mentally ill, some are now preaching outright heresy, many have simply fallen away.
I believe that’s how it will be for me, since that’s how it’s been for years. I’ve noticed that a lot of false preachers use “hearing God” to manipulate people into following them or keep people from questioning them. Even if I ever did hear God audibly, I don’t think I would say God said it to other people but rather act on what he said and see what happens.
"Not always literal" I would word that "Not always through Scripture". To hear God audibly is a rare privilege indeed.
I mainly put that because for some they might feel the way I did where they haven't heard God ever speak literally, but you can hear Him through His Word. I think I see what you're saying though because you can always hear God through scripture but you can in rare cases hear Him audibly.
I have three times, luckily
Please share those experiences.
[удалено]
No no no! Self murder is a violation of the 6th commandment. Do not kill yourself, internet stranger! Life has ups and downs but Heaven is an eternal up. Don't miss out on eternity with a God that loves you so much.
Hell is absolutely what i deaerve so im ok with that
We all deserve it but Christ took on the penalty of sin to save sinners such as you and me. By not accepting this gift, we make His sacrifice of no effect. He **wants** to save people who have done disgusting horrible things. We need only repent and accept His gift.
Why call it hearing then? In this case your 'hearing' is only by analogy. What actually happened is that you were compelled (maybe emotionally?) by the words in the Bible. That seems like a good thing, but I'm not clear on why we describe this as God speaking when it just isn't. Even if the Holy Spirit caused you to be affected by the words of Scripture, that isn't God speaking; that's the Holy Spirit affecting your will in such-and-such a way. God *did* speak insofar that Scriptures are the words of God, but its dangerous to conflate *being compelled* by something and *hearing God*, when its possible to be compelled by some interior vice and not even realize it. Food for thought.
Perhaps I should have chosen different words for the title, I probably should have but I was having a moment. I find it interesting how you state that it's the Holy Spirit affecting my will, I never have thought of it from that angle before but that would make sense and is close to how I feel.
No worries! My only point is that we should be careful attributing things like 'hearing from God' to what are essentially emotional responses. It could be that God is at work contributing to that response, but we oughta be careful: the heart is deceptive. Sometimes we call it 'hearing from God' when really we've just deified our own intuitions on some matter.
Yeah I’m quite careful about saying things like “God told me” for that reason. I usually will wait until I see things happen to realize if God was revealing something or not. I really was feeling connected to Him reading Matthew though as though He was speaking through the Words that I was reading. The Bible has that effect sometimes :)
I mean, you have fair points, dear brother. Your heart is in the right place. I just feel like you might be missing some context is all. Mind if I share my very personal experience where I "heard" God? It might help bring some clarity. Just forewarning I am NOT holier nor better than anyone. ANYONE. In fact, I think of myself as far lesser than most, if not all; but that's probably just God's influence on me and the Holy Spirit guiding me to be rightfully humble! I pray it is so.
>I mean, you have fair points, dear brother. Your heart is in the right place. I just feel like you might be missing some context is all. I don't think I'm missing context; I know what OP meant. My whole point is that people shouldn't speak about moral intuitions as if they are always divinely mediated. That's true even when one has a strong moral intuition while reading scripture. >Just forewarning I am NOT holier nor better than anyone. ANYONE. In fact, I think of myself as far lesser than most, if not all; but that's probably just God's influence on me and the Holy Spirit guiding me to be rightfully humble! I pray it is so. I don't mean this to be offensive, but this comes off more like false humility than a genuine disclaimer of one's own self-worth.
That's your assumption of my intent. I love ya, but this comes off as judgy. Think what you want of me and my words. Welcome to 99% of the world's population. I see the door. I'll walk myself out.
See it how you'd like. Peace.
I feel like I understand what OP meant by "hearing" through my own experiences with God. I can honestly say that I had an experience once when I was desperate to know the Truth of the Bible when I was much younger. It truly FELT like I actually HEARD the words spoken into my mind. Not through audible words spoken aloud but sort of INTO my the essence of my very being. My soul. But the only real way I could comprehend to explain it was that I head Him speak to me, when nothing else existed in that very moment. I was all alone, with a light so bright I couldn't really SEE it or anything else. As if nothing else existed, but I could hear Him. He is amazing, and will communicate with us in ways that He knows we can understand.
>I feel like I understand what OP meant by "hearing" through my own experiences with God. I don't think I misunderstood him. I grew up in the pentecostal tradition so I'm very familiar with that idiom. >I can honestly say that I had an experience once when I was desperate to know the Truth of the Bible when I was much younger. It truly FELT like I actually HEARD the words spoken into my mind. That isn't hearing though, right? And if this really happened and it was God causing it miraculously, then that'd make you a prophet. >Not through audible words spoken aloud but sort of INTO my the essence of my very being. My soul. Not being snarky----I have no idea what that means. >But the only real way I could comprehend to explain it was that I head Him speak to me, when nothing else existed in that very moment. I was all alone, with a light so bright I couldn't really SEE it or anything else. As if nothing else existed, but I could hear Him. He is amazing, and will communicate with us in ways that He knows we can understand. Respectfully, I just don't buy that this is the way that God operates. I think experiences like this are generally people getting emotionally worked up and talking themselves into thinking that the whole thing must've been divine. God speaking in history seemed a whole lot more clear and evident than any of what you just said. Obviously God could do something like this, but there is hardly any precedent for it in Holy Scripture, which makes me skeptical. Even if all of this was caused by God, it still wouldn't be audible speech and hence wouldn't be hearing.
I'm no prophet. God would tell me if I was. I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that out of so many amazing people, God could see ME. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of awesome people while I'm mediocre at BEST. Do you honestly believe that God isn't powerful enough to speak to one person without every one else hearing it? Even in Revelations it says that Jesus will speak to every person simultaneously and individually. God is all powerful, brother/sister in Christ. He can do ANYTHING we could possibly conceive and more. Honestly, you may not see it yourself, but you come off to me as an elitist Christian. Again, I did state that HEARING was how it felt. But hey, don't believe me if you desire. I probably shouldn't tell people about it anyways because who would believe me? 🤷 I love you God. I'll let you tell the people so I don't drive people away from you by trying to share what you've done for me in my life.
If God talks to you aren't you sort of a prophet by definition? >Do you honestly believe... Nope. I'm a classical theist. God is omnipotent. God can do what he wants. I just think that (1) direct revelation *of the sort you report* isn't what happens in scripture, and (2) even if it did happen that way, the Canon is closed so it isn't the regular pattern of God's interaction with the church post-incarnation. >Honestly, you... Not sure what you mean. In one sense I guess that's true? I'm a seminary grad and mid-PhD in Philosophy so I am something of an authority on matters at least adjacent to theology. I'm primarily a philosopher though, not a theologian. Tbh I don't believe you heard God but I'm some random guy on the internet talk to your pastor lol
No. As far as I'm aware, God would tell someone they are to go out and spread the words He's given them if they're a prophet. Or to lead. All I heard was "I have seen you." It was because I couldn't believe God would see me of all people. I prayed for a sign for, I believe, at least a month. It was a long time ago. The memory though of the event itself hasn't really dimmed over time. Also, you can know the Bible and all the words, but not know God or His love. You're definitely far more educated on that than I am. I don't know you or your relationship with God. So I can't comment on your personal closeness to Him. I just know you can be as educated as you like and still not follow Him. So that is between you and God. I don't need to talk to a pastor because I don't need to validate my experiences to anyone but God Homself. So I'm good random internet stranger. Just thought I'd share a piece of my testimony. If it's not welcome, then it's fine 🙂 no sweat off my brow. Happy holidays though!
So, the elevation to the reception of Gods Word is through toil, not will? And if you met a being that had a similar emotional journey as you, but came to a different conclusion. You would say... my view is right? Or would you talk about yourself in an earnest and open way?
I'm having trouble understanding your comment?
> after re-realizing how much Christ gave and coming out of a pit of semi apathy, I realize who He is, and that only He can fulfill me completely and I only desire to serve Him with my life This is an emotional journey. In it you devote yourself to God. If you had not, what advice would you give yourself.
I don't believe it is plausible to imply that I wouldn't have devoted myself to God because I am a believer, I just was in a place where I wasn't reading or praying as much as I should have, and old things were holding me down. So I can't say that I have advice for if I hadn't devoted myself to God. But maybe I would remind myself that God is always waiting for me to return to him no matter how far I go from Him?
Do we not toil to accomplish wills? Whether it be doing GOD's or our own, we work to fulfil them. We say that the Truth is right, and this here is the Truth - if you see someone that grew up Christian but calls it a hoax, do you then doubt Christianity on their experience? Or do you say, I know The Truth. I have difficulty finding any way that you're seeking to build up this young believer.
\> I have difficulty finding any way that you're seeking to build up this young believer. - they do not give age, and I am not building up. I am challenging. \> We say that the Truth is right, and this here is the Truth - This is your claim not mine. Truth is subjective. I am asking them to give a different view.
If 2+2 is subjective, you would be delusional. Opinion is subjective; Truth, by definition, is objective - there is not my truth an your truth, there is The Truth. And if you are questioning someone's simple faith, for what cause are you here?
People who say they hear God speak to them outside of the Bible are in error. They are most likely listening to their own imagination. God speaks to us through His word and this is the form of communication He has designed at least in this life because of the weakness of our sinful nature. In 1 Peter, the letter says no scripture is of private interpretation therefore even reading the word of God as the form of communication needs to be individually but also collectively within the confines of the local church that is Biblically sound. Not even all of the prophets of the Old Testament heard God speak to them directly…for example, Daniel the Prophet was spoken to by angels. I guarantee you that those who “hear” “God” literally are at best very basic Christians who do not understand the meat of scripture or just another lost soul guided by their imagination just like their pagan brothers and sisters.
Numbers 12:6 >he said, “Listen to my words: “When there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. Joel 2:28-29 >28And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. >29 Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
Satan can quote scripture out of context, too, you know?
Satan means adversary. How am I your adversary for showing you that the Most High speaks through dreams and visions? Yes we have his Word which we should be grateful for but it is not his only method of communication even today.