Hearing God’s voice will cut through the tumult we can be experiencing to bring us peace, clarity, and guidance like nothing else can. Make no mistake about it; God is always speaking (Deuteronomy 30:11-14). But how can we be confident that we are hearing His voice in either a rhema word from the Scriptures or a still, small voice or impression we feel upon our hearts that it is genuinely Him talking?

Both Paul and James give us guidance for hearing the Lord. They reveal that God’s voice is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). His voice brings peace, is gentle, willing to yield, and full of mercy, as opposed to every other voice, including the devil, the world, and ourselves, which brings confusion, envy, and self-seeking (James 3:15-17).

Ask yourself these questions to help determine if the Lord is giving you a rhema or a personal word for your situation:

• Does the passage or what I am sensing strike a chord in my emotions? Does it resonate deep within me? Does it encourage or warm my heart, or do I sense hope or joy? Because even when Jesus speaks difficult-to-hear words, He infuses them with His love.

• Do I feel confusion and a lack of peace, or does this verse or these words encourage and strengthen me in Him?

• Am I receiving greater clarity about my situation that is giving me peace?

• How does the scripture or what I am thinking line up with what Paul and James wrote about hearing God’s voice?

• Is this passage or what I think might be God’s voice so out of alignment with the rest of the Bible that I am manipulative?

• What do my spiritual mentors and pastors sense about what I am reading or thinking about my situation?

  Hearing God’s voice takes practice and faith. The next time a scripture touches your heart, or you sense the Lord speaking directly to you, answer the questions above, then apply what you are hearing and trust it. Our faith grows as we exercise stepping out in faith in His Word and the Holy Spirit’s leading (Heb. 5:12-14). The benefit? God’s peace, joy, comfort, and yes, healing overwhelming our lives.

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  Ponder how today’s lesson spoke to your heart and take some time to look at the Scriptures (a daily pursuit!) and still your heart. What is God speaking to you today?

  Further Bible References:

  Deuteronomy 30:11-14 11 “This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you, and it is not beyond your reach. 12 It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?’ 13 It is not kept beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear it and obey?’ 14 No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.

  John 6:63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

  Romans 10:17 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

  Philippians 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

  James 3:15-17  15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

  Hebrews 5:12-14 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

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