What would your reaction be if someone claimed that God had spoken to them?
Would you write them off as a nut job? Would you be intrigued? Would you want some proof?
I remember the first time I heard someone say, “God said I should…” I don’t remember what it was God said but I do remember my reaction. I was intrigued because the woman who said this had an aura about her – not an actual halo-like glow but a joy that I simply couldn’t deny. I wanted to know more. I wanted to hear God speak.
As I came to know this woman I discovered that there are certain “rules” about God speaking.
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God will never tell you to do anything contrary to the Bible
God will never tell you to do anything contrary to the Bible
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God often says things non-audibly – like you speaking to yourself – but says things you would never say like, “forgive the unforgivable.”
God often says things non-audibly – like you speaking to yourself – but says things you would never say like, “forgive the unforgivable.”
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God often uses our Bible reading to speak to us
God often uses our Bible reading to speak to us
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God sometimes uses other people to speak to us
God sometimes uses other people to speak to us
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God sometimes whispers a Scripture reference that “just happens” to speak to the issue
God sometimes whispers a Scripture reference that “just happens” to speak to the issue
Now I’m the one who is going to tell you that God has spoken to me. Most often He has spoken through his Word. Once when I left my husband in a fit of rage I opened my Bible and this is what I read, “The anger of man (or in this case woman) doesn’t bring about the righteous life God desires.” I went home to my husband.
Another time I actually planned to do something contrary to what God had revealed to be right in the Bible. That day I read, “If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.” I knew in my
spirit that God was telling me to obey His rules.
spirit that God was telling me to obey His rules.
Once when I was furious with someone I very clearly heard God say (not audibly but in my head), “Jill, pray for her.” There is no way I would have thought that - I was entirely too angry.
My husband and I went through a really rough time after I became a Christian because, as he put it, “that wasn’t what I signed up for.” I prayed about it ALL the time and one day I again heard that voice in my head saying, “1 Corinthians 13.” Now many of you
automatically know that that is the love chapter but I was new to reading the Bible and I didn’t know what that chapter was about so I read it in my Bible. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” So I read that and I was feeling very unloved so my response was, “Oh yes Lord, that is how I want to be love.” He clearly responded, “No Jill that is how I want you to love Ray.” I argued, “He doesn’t deserve it.” He said, “Do it anyway.” Now I know that wasn’t me because at that point I pretty
much hated my husband. I knew God had spoken to me and so I tried to do what He
asked but boy was that hard!
automatically know that that is the love chapter but I was new to reading the Bible and I didn’t know what that chapter was about so I read it in my Bible. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” So I read that and I was feeling very unloved so my response was, “Oh yes Lord, that is how I want to be love.” He clearly responded, “No Jill that is how I want you to love Ray.” I argued, “He doesn’t deserve it.” He said, “Do it anyway.” Now I know that wasn’t me because at that point I pretty
much hated my husband. I knew God had spoken to me and so I tried to do what He
asked but boy was that hard!
Another time I was so angry with someone that I told her off royal. I’d been a Christian only a short time and when she started to cry I felt triumphant – I know I’d hit the mark and hurt her as she had hurt me. But in the back of my mind I knew that I
probably shouldn’t have been so happy about bringing another person to tears. I
called a friend who knew the grief this woman had caused me. I expected her to
back me up but instead I heard her say, “Not exactly the way Jesus would have
handled it.” I knew God had spoken through my friend and I apologized to the
woman I hurt.
probably shouldn’t have been so happy about bringing another person to tears. I
called a friend who knew the grief this woman had caused me. I expected her to
back me up but instead I heard her say, “Not exactly the way Jesus would have
handled it.” I knew God had spoken through my friend and I apologized to the
woman I hurt.
Finally there was the day when I was feeling pretty drained – I felt I was working really hard for the Lord but didn’t feel I was doing enough to please Him. I reached a limit and I stomped my foot looked up to heaven and asked,” What do you want from me, Lord?” Again I heard that voice say, “Micah 6:8.” I looked it up in my Bible
and it said, “What does the Lord require of you, O man, but to act justly, love
mercy and walk humbly before your God.” I knew God had spoken to me.
and it said, “What does the Lord require of you, O man, but to act justly, love
mercy and walk humbly before your God.” I knew God had spoken to me.
God doesn’t play favorites so if He’s spoken to my friend and He’s spoken to me, He also speaks to you – you just have to recognize His voice.
