From many Bible accounts and events outlined in the Bible, we understand that in fact, God speaks to people, as we find many true-life stories both in the Old and New Testaments where God spoke to people and gave them instructions and directions...
Though it may seem that these people who hear God speak to them are His specially selected people such as Prophets or those who God called to work for Him, people we would often refer to as men or women of God...
However, considering the matter more from the perspective of the New Testament dispensation in which we currently live, we can understand both from the teachings of Jesus Himself and also the accounts of the Early Church that hearing the voice of God or the voice of the Holy Spirit is not specially reserved for some select few, but rather a possibility meant for every true Believer...
The below verses from the words of Jesus substantiates this (emphasis mine):
Concerning His followers, Jesus said: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27 (NKJV)... And speaking about the Holy Spirit, He said: "...However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you." John 16:13-14 (NKJV)...
Yes, God actually does speak to people, through various means, be it the very voice of Jesus Himself, the voice of the Holy Spirit, or through Prophets, visions, or Angelic visitations... However, I guess the big question in our minds would be: Does God still speak to people (ordinary people) today? Why does it seem like the voice of God is scarce or difficult to hear?...
Well, first off, the reason why God doesn't seem to speak to many Believers today in such supernatural means or encounters like it was common in the Early Church days is probably left to God's discretion... But that definitely does not mean that God no longer speaks or that He speaks to only those "called"...
The Holy Spirit (Who is also God) Whom the Believer receives at the point of being Born Again, amongst other things He does in the Believer's life, is meant to guide the Believer daily towards a fruitful Christian lifestyle which ultimately brings glory to Jesus and to God Almighty; this includes guidance in critical life decisions such as marriage, business, career, or place of residence decisions...
However, it is my thought that God probably does not speak often in such supernatural or dramatic ways this days (such as hearing His audible voice or Angelic visitations), because we have today the compiled written/printed Word of God (the Bible) available and easily accessible to all, unlike the Early Church days; and because the Bible actually contains the generic ways and mind of God (in written form) to guide the Believer in making the specific decisions concerning any matter of life...
So for instance, if a Believer is going into marriage or wishing to relocate to a new country, the Bible makes it clear that the Believer should not go into a marriage covenant with an unbeliever, but in choosing who specifically to marry or the name of the country to relocate to, one may not find that exactly in the Bible... But knowing the mind of God and His basic instruction from the Bible concerning the area of concern, in addition with prayers and any other means which God chooses to confirm what choice the Believer should make, the Believer can then boldly say "God said..." or "God told me..."...
Indeed, hearing the voice of God or knowing the mind of God is never too difficult for any Believer who makes the Scriptures his companion in every life situation; because the written Word of God is the ultimate lens through which every other voice must be passed to certify their verity... Moreso, in these last days where deceptions and false manifestations are on the rise, it is only wise that the Believer ensures he has a correct understanding of the Scriptures so as to avoid being deceived or taking a wrong step...
The first and primary acid test to ascertain if a voice is of God is to check its alignment with the nature and character of God as revealed in the written Word of God (the Bible), and we can describe the nature/character of God from the fruit of His Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control)... This means that if the voice or the result of the decision or action being propagated by the voice does not bear some of these characteristics, then the voice is questionable and the Believer needs to double-check, by praying more and waiting for other confirmations till there is that strong unshakable confidence that it is indeed the voice of God...
The other means through which God can also speak to us, such as open visions, trances, dreams, or through Prophets are secondary to the very voice of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God (which many refer to as the still, small voice), which emanates from the Believers renewed spirit which also agrees with the written Word of God (written by the inspiration of the same Holy Spirit); this is basically because these other voices have the possibility of being corrupted by foreign spiritual forces, and the Believer without a good knowledge of the Word would have a hard time differentiating the true from the false...
Every other voice or means of knowing God's will in most cases could only serve as further confirmations, while the inner voice of conviction of the Holy Spirit in alignment with the written Word of God remains the ultimate guiding light... It is equally vital to note that in hearing the voice of God, silence, and stillness or quietness of the soul is also needful, the reason why sometimes a separation of oneself in a private time of praying and fasting (if required) often aids in hearing the voice of God better... Also, God expects us to first obey His written Word and in obeying them He will give us further directives, as He would often not give the next instruction if the last He gave was not obeyed...
The below verses of Scripture clarifies further on this subject:
"...Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action)..." 2Timothy 3:16 (AMP)
"...But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." Galatians 5:22-25 (NLT).
Thank you for sharing with me... God bless you!
#JesusChristIsLORD #GODisStillinCharge
