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" My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: "- John 10:27
We serve an intelligent God that has created us to not only be able to speak to Him but to also Hear His voice. The bible speaks of His sheep knowing His voice and not following the voice of a stranger. This would mean the sheep know His voice so well from a place of familiarity or consistently hearing His voice and because His voice is distinct. God's voice is distinct He doesn't sound like anyone else and certainly doesn't sound like us. It is important as believers that we know and can hear the voice of the Lord for ourselves. Many times we see and hear about prophetic activations I love them and use them when training others in the prophetic from time to time. But I found that intimacy is missing in many cases. Intimacy with God is missing in leaders and laity alike. It is not enough to teach people about the prophetic and train them and build them up to prophesy without ever pushing them to a place of true intimacy with the Father. We can no longer just tell people to listen and look for what God is saying when they have no depth in the Word and no real connection with Him. Sadly, in large settings we could be activating people that are not saved, have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and that are operating in the occult. As we submerge people into the prophetic we must ensure that they are connected to the Father otherwise we run the risk of empowering people to operate in gifts while being disconnected from the gift giver.
For me, my road and journey in the prophetic came from a place of; worship, prayer, study of the scripture and focusing on His word. I believe the closer you are to Him you are postured to hear His voice. Over the years I have found some very basic and simple yet effective ways that can help you to clearly hear and discern the voice of God.
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. - Isaiah 30:21
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.- Psalm 85:8
To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.- John 10:3-4
“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.- John 5:25
Below are 4 keys to hearing the voice of God.
1. Reading The Word - Many times when I begin to read scriptures I am able to Hear the voice of the Lord very clear. The Lord has a way of leading you to scriptures in the Bible that speak directly to you and your situation. Sometimes it is as if the words are literally jumping off the pages. When we are filling our minds with the Word it becomes easier to recognize His voice.
2. Journalling- Many times I will write letters to God and He will respond in a dream. Other times I will journal scriptures and biblical topics and the Lord will begin to download things into my spirit. Focusing on Him and His word even when journalling is still a great opportunity for the Lord to speak to you. Meditating on the Word and writing is also what unlocked my prophetic flow as a writer. This developed my discipline to hear and write non-stop at a rather rapid pace.
“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you.- Jeremiah 30:2
3. Fasting and Praying- Fasting and praying is so powerful. If you struggle to hear the voice of the Lord then consider fasting and praying for that specific reason. Sometimes we are so busy with life and doing a million things that we are not actively seeking the Lord. And we are not intentionally trying to listen to our Heavenly Father. Fasting and praying is like spiritual dynamite that breaks chains and shackles, removes barriers and helps us to be humble before the Lord. Fasting and prayer releases breakthrough in the lives of God's people. You fast and pray before the Lord with a true heart and the Father will respond.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” - Acts 13:2
4. Worship- Worshiping and sitting in the presence of God is always a great opportunity to hear from the Lord. God is always speaking but many times we are not listening or do not realize that He is speaking. When we worship and the presence of the Lord is strong many times we are in a position to hear the small still voice of the Lord. Those that have strong prophetic gifts such as seers will find that their sensitivity to the Holy Spirit will increase as they spend more and more time worshiping at His feet.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” - Acts 13:2
