Listen: Guided by the Holy SpiritSample

Various voices we discern

We have the capacity to hear God and to be led by Him. When God speaks He is constantly reminding us of who He is and who we are.

1 John 4:17-18 (MSG) defines the eco-system within which we live life –

‘God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgement Day – our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life – fear of death, fear of judgement – is one not yet fully formed in love. We though, are going to love – love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loves us first.’

This helps us know what God sounds like. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (AMPC) provides a riveting account of what love is –

‘Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.(5)It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].(6)It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.(7)Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].(8)Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].’

Having said all of that, 1 John 4:1 (MSG) exhorts us –

‘My dear friends, don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world.’

As a believer, you can hear the voice of the Lord for yourself because you are led by His Spirit. The very nature of God is love, and therefore, what we receive from God will be congruent with who He is. We also notice that there are other influences or internal voices that compete for that sacred space in our lives.