Matthew 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Two types of ears:
With our physical ears we hear certain ranges of sound but with the spiritual ear we hear the voice of God. Jesus said about some, hearing they hear not neither do they understand . . .but blessed are your ears for they hear. We don’t hear God in an audible voice (it has happened but is the exception not the norm) but with our spiritual ears through the Spirit dwelling within us 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
When God called Samuel Samuel thought that it was Eli calling him. It may be that God used a voice that sounded like Eli so Samuel just assumed that there was no one else arou8nd it had to be Eli. Either way God used men and women to speak His words to others Eli perceived that God was calling Samuel and the obedience to Eli by Samuel was then transferred to obeying God. God uses parents to speak to children Proverbs 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Paul knew God was speaking thru him as he told the Thessonians --
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
The biggest problem:
The biggest problem today as in times past is not hearing God’s voice but obeying it. Jeremiah 29:17-19 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
19 Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.
God speaks thru many voices:
Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; God spoken to people thru dreams and visons and in turn those He spoke to relayed His message to others. The Bible is God’s way of communicating to people, but God’s people must also recognize that many will not read God’s word and so they need to be innovative about communicating the gospel to others. We as God’s people must think outside the box for ways to co0mmunicate to others. We use the written page, television, computer, pamphlets, brochures etc., in order to reach people. But the same problem still exists – many will not hear and heed His voice.
God speaks thru nature and natural occurrences to get people’s attention -- hurricanes, earthquakes, droughts, floods, tornadoes and numerous other disasters to speak to people today as He did in the past.
Man a tri-codomoy:
God formed man from the dust of the earth (our bodies) and breathed into his nostrils the breath (spirit) of life and man became a living soul (thinking, reasoning). It is with our spirits that we communicate with God -- Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. 1 Corinthians 2:11 (KJV)
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
In order to hear God’s voice properly we must be born again as Jesus said, otherwise God’s voice and word are foolishness 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Three aspects of God’s voice:
There are three aspects to God’s voice – light, spirit and life. The words I speak unto you they are spirit and life. John 1:4 In him (logos) was life; and the life was the light of men. So the written word that we have in the Bible is God’s voice speaking to all of us. The is living (Heb 4:12) and enlightening (Psa 119:130) John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Hearing God’s voice:
David said that early in the morning he would call upon God -- Psalm 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.. But this does not mean that He only hears in the morning -- Psalm 119:148 Mine eyes prevent (anticipate) the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
Since God says “pray without ceasing” we can hear Him anytime.
Steps to hearing His voice:
- Ask God for a hearing and understanding heart. Solomon could have asked for riches, fame and his enemies, but he chose not ask for an understanding heart – which was granted.
- Read the word systematically and regularly. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. As we read God often speaks thru the verses we are reading.
- Have a time and place to meet with God. God came in the cool of the day to meet with Adam and Eve and so we should seek Him in a regular and special place.
- Apply God’s word to our life – flesh it out as we are able to comprehend and apply.