Can we really know that we’re actually hearing from God?
That’s a fair question! Let’s consider the ways God chooses to communicate with us, to see if we can bring some clarity on this very important issue.
God uses the Bible to directly communicate with us … along with His Holy Spirit after we’ve been saved by repenting and putting our trust in Jesus … as well as using wise counsel through other people (pastor, friend, spouse, or mentor, etc). Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of the fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes, but the wise listen to advice.”
Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:14-18, “But as for you, continue in the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced [holding tightly to the truths], knowing from whom you learned them, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus [surrendering your entire self to Him and having absolute confidence in His wisdom, power and goodness]. All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for instruction, for conviction, for correction, for training in righteousness; God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
We know that God will always be faithful in doing His part in this very personal relationship that we have with Him! The bigger question is, ‘will we do our part in searching the Scriptures, and literally allowing His inspired and inerrant Word to lead and guide in our daily lives?’ Effective communication is a two-way street, and if we’ve neglected studying the Bible in order to hear from Him directly, all we have to do is open it up and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s truth to us. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Also, if we neglect going to the Lord in prayer, and find ourselves too busy, or too distracted by the many temptations of the world around us … then we shouldn’t be surprised if we’re not confidently hearing from Him directly.
James 1:5-7 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”