You can hear God clearly without having to do much. As Christians, we want God to speak to us. We want to hear Him with clarity so we can take the necessary actions. Sadly, we sometimes think we’ve heard Him, only to realize that we acted out of our emotional or mental impulses. On His part, God expects us to hear, recognize, and respond to His voice so our lives can be transformed. So, how can you hear the Father more clearly?
Recognize that He wants to speak to you –
God is not playing “hard to catch.” He gave His everything, and you can rest assured that going silent on you is the last thing He’d do. In Job 33:14-17, we’re told that: “For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it.” This scripture is confirmed in John 12:29-30, where God answers Jesus concerning glorifying His name. Although the voice was intended for the people, they did not grasp it. Instead, some said an angel had spoken, while others thought it had thundered. See? God always speaks, but some hardly recognize His voice. Once we know that God is eager to speak to us, we should set our minds on Him and anticipate an answer.
Walk in love-
It becomes almost impossible to hear God if we do not show love to others. Now, God will still speak even if we do not walk in love, but we’ll hardly hear Him. Love in this sense means that we show kindness to others and avoid unnecessary grudges, malice, and other attitudes that do not conform to Christ’s character. Ephesians 5 requires us to imitate God by loving everyone as Christ loved us.
Resist distractions–
We live in an era of social media, which preoccupies our minds so much that there is no space left for anything else. Going to Facebook will not necessarily stop God from speaking, but it will be like speaking to someone in a noisy place. Remember, we are discussing how WE can hear God more clearly, not how GOD can speak more loudly. Reorganize your schedule and shun everything that keeps you distracted from hearing God.
Learn to rest in His presence-
We sometimes think that God speaks to us when we do things for Him. In many cases, God wants us to rest and listen. In Luke 10:41-42, Martha complains about Mary who sits with Jesus instead of helping with the chores. Instead of rebuking Mary, Jesus says: Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Mary has discovered the one thing most important…..” (TPT).
Understand the various channels of communication-
Based on several instances in the Bible, we can say that God uses: 1. Dreams; 2. Visions (Job 33:14); 3. Other people (Acts 21:11). Another method is the use of circumstances, like the case of Gideon (Judges 7:13). Here, God asked Gideon to go and hear what the enemy was saying. It was more of a confirmation of God’s commitment. God also speaks through the word, where He directs us to a specific scripture or reveals His will over a matter. Each of these methods requires care when you think God is using any. For dreams, we should remember that not every one of them is from God. Likewise, we should distinguish our imagination, visualization, and wishes from a vision. God using other people mostly happens for confirmation purposes or when one party is too distracted to hear God.
Know your responsibility in some situations-
We sometimes ask to hear God when we should be doing our part. For example, if I feel attracted to a lady and have asked the Lord to reveal His will, I also need to take the time and know the person. In the process, I will gather information that will help me make an informed decision.
Learn the role of the mind in God-Man communication-
The mind is crucial in hearing God’s will. In 1 Cor. 2:10, the word says that the Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God and reveals them to us. This revelation is projected into our thoughts. In short, there are times when sends signals to our minds in the form of thoughts. The challenge is that we don’t always recognize them or distinguish them with our thinking. The best way to hear God through the mind is to keep uncontaminated with impure thoughts such as bitterness, lust, etc.
