Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Life is full of decisions we must make that do not have absolute, specific-by-name, how-to directions in the Bible. How many hours a day should my kids watch TV? Is it okay to play shoot-ʼem-up vid...
Login or Sign Up to view the rest of this answer.
Brandon Hughes
Supporter
Open your bible and start reading, we can know 100% that God is speaking to us. That still small voice we hear, most of the time that is our conscience. Looking at this another way, why should we believe we can find God if we look inside ourselves? The bible does not teach this. God, Jesus, the cross, it is all outside of us, don't look inward, look outward to what Jesus has done in forgiving our sins. I spent a few years trying to hear God, trying to tune my life correctly so I could be more receptive to the "spirit". I can attest that I did hear very real things, I had very strong experiences, and those were what kept me coming back for more but in the end they took me deeper into my sinful flesh, took my focus off the cross and fixed it inward. I gauged my standing before God on how much I "heard" and what I felt from him instead of looking to the cross to know where I stand (forgiven). If I wasn't hearing from God I thought I was doing something wrong or the God was mad at me, it ended in my despairing of my own salvation because the same feelings and words were not coming. It is popular today to believe God has internal private conversations with us concerning where we should go, what we should buy, etc. but we have much freedom as Christians to live our lives and make decisions. Whatever you do, wherever you go be a light in this dark world, live in light of the forgiveness won for you, look to your neighbors needs and see how you can serve him.
Nathan Toronga
Supporter
Good question. But let's eliminate one variable there - your thoughts. In all matters of Scripture, it's either God, or the devil. There's no middle ground - no third way. Hence you must decide who's talking to you. Just because it appears in the bible may not be good enough. Satan quoted Scripture twice when he tempted Jesus. First, you surrender your will to God. Then you fortify yourself with His Word. (Unfortunately, some will tell you that the Word, as it pertains to the Christian, is the New Testament only. Others go as far as to say, the letters of Paul only. I assure you, those are old wives' tales). Know the Word from Genesis through Revelation. And always be prepared to learn something new from Scripture, and be ready to apply it in your life. When you've made your choices like that, our God will guarantee your safety in the spiritual realms by giving your sufficient discernment to identify the enemy's tactics. This is a trustworthy saying. Make it a habit to read your bible EVERY day. "Then you will know the truth, and truth will set you free" John 8:32. Bless.
Tom Huntford
Supporter
This is actually pretty easy...for God. Just ask your heavenly Father to show you where the thoughts are coming from. And if you are uncertain about whether you are hearing from Him, ask Him to make it plain as well. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to ALL men LIBERALLY and upbraideth not." "Ask and ye shall receive." "Ye have not, because you ask not."
Susan Manchester
Supporter
The more time you spend with God the more easier it will be for you to distinguish and know Gods voice. If I have doubt I remind myself that God is NOT a God of confusion. So if my thoughts are confusing or troubling I know they are not from God. Another thing to remember the devil is usually loud and in your face with an answer and God is that still small voice. Sometimes Gods answer takes quite a while before you hear. Be still, listen. Psalm 46:10.
Ed Besselman
Supporter
You will know if God is speaking to you, when you know the source. An expert in counterfeiting never examines a counterfeit bill... they only study real bills. Even so, believers should study the Bible as their source. All doctrine and teachings must align with Bible doctrine that is in context. Many years ago, my Sunday school teacher quoted this saying... "If in the Book - you choose to look - Five things observe with care - Of whom it speaks, To whom it speaks, and Why, and When, And Where." A whole lot of Christian controversy and a lot of non-biblical doctrine can be eliminated with this. And you'll know the source of the teaching.
Joe cattani
Supporter
What works for me is this; if I find myself trying to justify my actions or thoughts to myself, it is probably God telling me "do you really want to do this". If i find myself trying to avoid someone or can't hold my head up, I probably did them wrong. I think most people know if God or Satan is speaking to us, the question is which one do we want to listen to.
donna reyes
Supporter
If I remembered it correctly, in Book of John chap 10: 4 it says that, sheep follows the Shepherd because they know the His voice. If we are Christian a real one, then we know if it is Jesus' voice. And you can also check the Holy Bible for a confirmation. God would never allow His children to be fooled by anyone that is why He gave the Bible. And pray off course.
MONA FERNANDEZ
Supporter
its very simple. God is a comforting, encouraging and good God who wills for us to do His Holy will always. In His will there is Righteousness, peace and Joy of the Holy Spirit to build up our faith in Him and his kingdom principles, according to the word of God. Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy says the word of God. when something you hear or see troubles you, or makes you restless it is from the evil one. Just pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you overcome the temptations that Satan brings. What comes from God is peace, comfort and joy with help and blessings. Stay fixed on Gods holy word and pray daily.
Don Whitley
Supporter
There is no doubt if you believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God, that He directly spoke to men in the Old Testament: Genesis 2:15-17, Genesis 6:13-21, Exodus 20:18-22. And I believe that He spoke to men in a number of ways in the New Testament also, but does he speak to us today in the same manner? I believe God can do anything, so I don't want to give the impression that He can't speak directly to us if He choses, but what is the need and why would we have that expectation? One thing that scares me a bit is when people tell me that God speaks directly to them because there are accounts of people drowning all their children because God told them to do that or so they decided. That was not what God would have told them to do. Someone close to me told me she had conversations with God. There were some major contradictions in what she said God had told her and what she ultimately did and it wasn't following what she expressed God told her to do. If God told me to do something in a personal conversation, I certainly hope that I would without question do it! You know and I know of other stories like these. There was a purpose for God speaking directly to the Apostles because they did not have the written word. They were not to be concerned about what they were going to say in teaching and preaching because God would provide it. John 12:48-50, John 14:25-26, 16:13, ll Thessalonians 2:15, l Corinthians 14:37 I know of no promise that God would speak in that way to us today. What we think about and talk about has a great deal to do with what we have in our minds though entertainment choices, movies, TV, books we read, people we associate with, etc. What do we fill our minds with? You know the old saying, "garbage in garbage out". You can't depend on conscience alone because it depends on what you feed into it. If we spend our time in God's inspired word, that will result in something much different. Putting God's word in our minds will result in good things in and good things out. God only speaks to us today through His inspired word. When we have conversations with ourselves, what comes from it will be heavily influenced by God's word, but if you still have doubts, pray earnestly asking for wisdom and His help in making good decisions.
D W
Supporter
Are you a Christian? Did you experience re-birth? Before you were reborn you had only a sinful nature. At the split-second of your re-birth you were inhabited by the Holy Spirit. Now you were equipped with a Spiritual Nature. Once you were born again you were placed inside God's Will. If you step out of that relationship you will hear from the sinful nature. You will entertain your own thoughts (mind, will, emotions). Check out 1 John 1:9 when in doubt. Doubt comes from the sinful nature, not your Spiritual Nature.
Mary George
Supporter
People give too much power to the devil, when he really does not have that much of a power, apart from tempting people to sin. Secondly, Jesus said my sheep will hear my voice. Anything from God will drive you closer to God and help make decisions that helpful God's plan for your life. Every born again true Christian should be able to discern what is God's voice and what is not. It is not at all a hard thing.
Ferdy Mercado
Supporter
Hosea 4:6 says "people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Knowledge in what? The Word of God. It was the main reason God gave Moses the 10 commandments (and the rest) for the Jews to be not ignorant of Who God is. But apparently, they rejected His Words, and thus, suffered all the consequences. The same is true to other people who are not Jews. God allowed us to have the Bible (the Word of God). At first, it was Jesus (the Word). But after He was resurrected from the dead, He commanded His disciples to spread the gospel into all the world. That's why we have this Bible now. If only we will read and understand the Words in the Bible, then we will be able to know the character and the will of God. We can easily identify the "voices' we are hearing now, where it comes from God or not. Other than the Bible, I don't think there are other reliable references (sources) to identify whether a teaching is from God or not.
Add your Answer
All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.
A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.
- Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
- Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
- Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
- Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
- For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible