How to Hear From God?

[dontuknowit]

Most people tend to live on the shallow surface where our physical senses, thoughts, feelings, desires, and emotions are constantly being stimulated by worldly, carnal, fleshly ways. Because of this, we are not able to hear from God and be led by His Spirit, leaving ourselves wide open to fall for the many deceptions of the devil.

We want to hear from God so that we may be led to pursue the right things. Unfortunately, there are always four voices in every ones head at any given time; God's voice, the devil's voice, other people's voices, and the voice of our own flesh. So, how are we to be sure to hear from God with all the noise going on?

It really is very simple. If we want to hear from God, we need to shut up the other three. So, how do we do that? The first step is to distinguish each voice so that we know what we are up against.

1. The most obvious voice is our own and it speaks to us in a variety of ways. It is always telling us what we want, what we think, and what we feel. The Bible refers to our mind, will, and emotions as our "flesh nature."

2. Another voice that clamors for our attention is the voice of other people. They are usually telling us what they want, what they think, and what they feel.

3.The third voice is the voice of the devil. He is very subtle and speaks to us through worldly ideas and viewpoints that he has injected into other people.

4. The fourth voice is the voice of God and He speaks to us in our spirits. He does not speak to us in our minds. Unfortunately, that's where most of us spend most of our thought life. Again, the Bible refers to this as "the mind of the flesh" (Romans 8:7, AMP).

These are the four voices that we constantly hear and which voice we obey is based on our ability to discern. Obviously, we want to obey the voice of God if we are going to enjoy a successful life because the Bible tells us that we must be led by the Holy Spirit.

So, how do we hear from God and be led by His Spirit? Again, by quieting the other three loud voices screaming for our attention.

When we can find some peace and quiet we will be able to hear that one still, small voice, which is the Holy Spirit of God, wanting to lead us in the way we should go.

How then do we quiet these other voices and find some peace and quiet?

First of all, the devil is easy to shut up. Psalm 22:3 says, "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." Satan will have to flee when we begin praising God because the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. The devil is not gonna stick around while you shout "Hallelujah" to the Lord.

Just shout out your praise to God. Praise Him for who He is, praise Him for what He has done, praise Him for His promises, and praise Him because He deserves it. As you are praising God, you will not hear from the devil.

Other people's voices are also easy to shut up. All we have to do is get away from them. I realize their tapes continue to play in our heads, but if we can get alone somewhere and just focus on God, those tapes will stop, at least temporarily.

Our flesh is the more difficult to control because it never can get enough and is never satisfied. It is also the most difficult to control because it is extremely self-centered. Even still, Jesus said, "Deny yourself and follow me" (Mark 8:34).

Your flesh doesn't want to follow Jesus. That would mean having to give up many things. It doesn't matter. We are to crucify the flesh (Galatians 2:20). It's just a decision.

When you quiet the evil triplets, the devil, other people's flesh, and your own flesh, it will be much easier to hear from God. Now, that does not mean you will hear an audible voice, although you may, but not likely.

God speaks in many different ways. Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice and they follow me" (John 10:27).

Clearly, before we can know God's voice, we must be like sheep. What are sheep? Only the dumbest animals on the face of the earth. We must become like dumb animals, knowing nothing (in and of ourselves), being completely dependant upon God. This goes back to crucifying the flesh.

When we hear from God it can be something from His written Word (logos), or it could be His audible voice (rhema). We can also get His rhema Word spoken through a friend. Or, it can be nature, convictions, open and shut doors of opportunity, and the most likely, internal peace.

One way you will not hear from God is through your emotions. Emotions are dangerous ground because they are never consistent. They're up one minute and down the next. You can't make important decisions based on something so erratic.

Many times, you will not get a definite answer on something specific. The Bible tells us that we are to live our lives by faith. We are to step out and try things that we feel God is leading us to do. Maybe this will work, maybe that will work. We just have to step out see. "In the morning sow your seed; For you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good" (Ecc 6:11).

One thing is for sure, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" (Psalm 37:23).

Trust God for direction as you take steps of faith toward what you feel He is calling you to. It won't be long until you know for sure whether it was really Him or not.

Article Author: Dan Brown

Article Source: Deposit Articles

[Manymoons]

dontuknowit

I note that you joined this group yesterday. I find your post interesting and unnerving at the same time. I, now, take the liberty to share my own thoughts with you, in order to help your (and my own) understanding of what yin/yang and this diet may mean in relation to your post.

I agree that most people live on the surface and function superficially. The "voice" that can guide us is subtle and often drowned out by extraneous noise, hence making it difficult to judge what is the right thing to do. This is indeed a critical problem.

This forum, and myself, deal with the forces of yin/yang, primarily as it pertains to food. But, this is also irrevocably connected to all aspects of living as a human being. on this earth and in this universe as an integrated whole.

You suggest that the major problem is we are too much in the "flesh". The flesh is the yang element and can certainly be inadequately balanced and not integrated with the (yin) spirit. I agree! When one's yin and yang are not integrated and are separated. - one is not integrated as a human being and is then functioning in the realm of illusion, pain and disease. The goal, therefore, is to integrate and balance one's respective yin/yang in order be healthy and whole. I will note also that yin/yang can not be separated as they are the opposite faces of one single whole. As we experience the apparent separation of yin/yang in our selves, it manifests itself in the form of compulsions toward the opposite polarity as a matter of re balancing. This dynamic is when the "voices" can get loud and apparently distracting. One can be expected to be uncomfortable with things that are a reflection of who we are as compared to who we may think or hope we are. This is very natural and human. Not always a pleasant experience, however.

Some may think that being human is less than "holly", Yet humans are an integral part of the universe as a whole. It could be said that to be human is divine, and to be divine is to be inhuman. At one's own deepest center is the connection to the universe and the "God" energy, (if you prefer). It is in each of us. This is what must be found, individually.

God and the devil are usually viewed as opposites in a state of enmity. Yin/yang is often, mistakenly, viewed this way as well. Both considered as separate and apart from one's self and this universe. As a student of martial arts, the enemy is to be defeated. True, -- but superficial. If we are all part of one single whole, how can there exist an enemy except as ourselves? Is one's arm the enemy of one's hand? I conclude that the worst enemy one will ever confront is one's own self. All begins and ends within each of us. As we master ourselves, we master the universe, also. We each, most certainly, have a right to be here.

How would we know God without the devil? How would we know the devil without God. Each has a place, as each of us has a place. How would we know yang without yin? How would we know yin without yang.

All voices speak. Listening becomes the art form. Judgment comes from experience. There is no better teacher than failure. To eliminate what is perceived as the enemy, is to eliminate a potential for growth. and to fragment the whole. "Resist not evil" has deep meaning.

To cry out for God is to really cry out for ourselves. Our self is the connection to the one integrated whole. Giving up the yang for the sake of the yin or giving up the yin for the sake of the yang is to disintegrate into nothingness. To be whole is to be. To encompass yin and yang equals the whole.

The ultimate sin (to fall short) is to try to separate yin/yang. This is the ultimate exclusivity. Disintegration equals disease. How would we know health without it, however. Looking outward for solutions is a yinnizing (disintegrating) spiral. Health comes from looking inward, (yangizing - integrating spiral).

I see no better way to know and "follow" God than to be a real, whole human being. To be human requires that we choose to be. It is not automatic. If it were, we would be robots or catatonic sheep. There would exist no choices for us to make. We would in effect be amoral! Life is not that easy, however, in spite of efforts to the contrary. (Most of {western} mainstream philosophy and religion).

There is merit in the spirit of your post. Separating yin from yang is the flaw. The body (flesh), spirit and soul can not be viewed exclusive of the other and expect wholeness and health, or any connection to "God".

We (I) begin with the food, to fortify and energize our (my) bodies to provide a worthy temple for the spirit.

Eat well (with good judgment) and prosper. Be some one. BE! There is an order to this universe that must first be obeyed if it is to be encompassed.

Manymoons

PS: My wife, while looking over my shoulder as I write this response, commented that she thinks dontuknowit is full of "sheep". I said, "I do not know what this person eats, but suspect it is of an extreme yin/yang nature, tending toward the yinner side, at least in effect.

I relay this incident as a note of lightness and humor. This is serious stuff and worthy of full attention, as i hope my post reflects, - not to be dismissed.

This incident also reflects who has more yin, - myself or my wife?!?!?

Again, and in respect and hope to communicate further and deeply,

manymoons

Isn't it curious that the supposed Almighty can't communicate with us, here? Human's talk about "God" nowdays, but "God" never talks about "God" or any thing or anyone else these days! Why do you think that is?