God Speaks. Are You Listening?

For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.  Matthew 10:20

We see so many people today with headphones on their head and ear buds in their ears.  Sometimes I wonder, though, if they are listening to the voice of God.  God does speak, and he wants to speak to us if only we would listen. 

How does God speak?  He speaks through His Word, through people like ministers and teachers, and through providence. 

God speaks through His Word, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go" (Ps. 32:8).  That is why we should study the Bible on a regular basis, and ask questions in small group settings.  Jesus says, "My sheep know voice"  (John 10:14).  We know the voice of God by studying the Word of God.   God speaks through providential means, that is, through timing.  Sometimes God's timing is so profound that we know instantly, beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is the voice of God because no one could have done it but Him.  He puts people in our lives at just the right time in answer to prayer.

God speaks  through divinely-called ministers.   Ministers and teachers, ask God for direction and for a word for the people.  Then, believe that what God gives you is what He wants preached.  We must pray for ministers to preach the truth of a balanced gospel in love; to speak with holy boldness even when what God has to say through them makes us uncomfortable. Who goes to a mirror and sees something on their face and does not wipe it off? As listeners, we should be ready to actively listen and act upon what we hear.  This is why we should not be distracted or walk out of church at the preaching moment, or leave before the benediction.   God speaks.  Are you listening?

It is important to understand that God speaks through His divinely appointed pastors, ministers, teachers, and evangelists.  But know this - God will never say anything through the man or woman of God that contradicts His word.  The Bible warns us about false prophets, so we should test and examine everything that is said (Micah 3:11-12). 

God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, "For it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking in you" (Matt. 10:20). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God in us.  The Holy Spirits comforts, teaches, convicts, helps, and warns us.   This why we should not lie, grieve, quench, resist, insult, or blasphem the Holy Spirit, nor conduct ourselves in ways contrary to the will of God.

God speaks with His people, "and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ"  (1 John 1:3).  God speaks with us as a friend, for He is "a friend that stickteth closer than a brother" (Proverbs 17:17).  God speaks with us as a companion, for He has promised never to leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  God speaks through His people through songs, poems, speeches, prayers and artistic gifts.  We should ask God's guidance and believe He speaks through us when we visit the sick and bereaved and witness for Christ.  Can you hear the voice of God?  Is He speaking to you?