Aija Brauvere Supporter

Why did the God of the Bible stop talking to humans?

Beloved ones! I can’t be silent on this subject and so I will try to express my thoughts very briefly.

God has never stopped speaking to His children. God our Father loves us too much to stop speaking to us.

Yes, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways…” (Hebrews 1:1-2). And yes, we would be glad hear from God audibly. 

Nevertheless, today God speaks to us by His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. My sheep listen to my voice, says Jesus. John 10:27. 

If, at any time you have stopped hearing from God, go to the book of John. Read it, see Jesus as He was and you will hear God speaking to you. Jesus is an ‘exact representation of His being….’ 

Hear John 14:8-9 which is similar to the hearing from God matter..
So, anyone who has seen Jesus (now we see Him by faith) has seen the Father already. 

“The Son (our LORD JESUS CHRIST) is the image of the invisible God…” (Colossians 1:15). And we are made in His likeness and His image. 

“No one has ever seen God (even those in the past to whom God spoke audibly), but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, HAS MADE HIM KNOWN” (John 1:18). 

We hear Him absolutely and definitely when we read the Bible; when we believe in Him; when we believe in what He has written for us in the bible. 

And what about the Holy Spirit? Don’t you know or feel now His leading, guiding etc.? Surely you do. He is your Advocate, Helper, Guide and absolutely everything you need. Listen to John 16:13. 

About the ‘hearing from God’ matter in the book of Job 33:14 we read: “For God does speak - now one way, now another - though no one perceives it.” 

If and when we do not perceive God speaking to us, we have become deaf spiritually because of one or another reason.

The greatest matter of all is that sin separates us from God and we are not able to hear Him. Isaiah 59:2.

So, to unbelievers with hardened hearts I would say - stop being stubbornly minded and He will accept you. Open the doors of your hearts and He will receive you with love. Hebrews 3:7-8.

You know what? If you have found this site, God is speaking to you already, o you, unbeliever! He brought you to this site. Trust in Him. Then you will hear from God great and wonderful things. 

To believers I would say – just keep going by “…putting on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11). Do not allow Satan to make you to think you do not hear God. Surely you do. :) 

Trust in God’s promises advice and recommendations; read the Bible and you will hear Him clearly. 

Go to Jesus, tell everything that is on your heart and He will speak to you in accordance with your spiritual maturity. Be patient, calm down your troubled heart, silence confusing thoughts, and enjoy God's presence by faith.
Psalm 94:19.

“Taste and see that the LORD is good!” Psalm 34:8.

By faith, praying in the spirit and truth, obeying God by believing in all His Words, accept that “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
Isaiah 30:21.

Dear friend (who reads this now), I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
3 John 1:2.

November 20 2020 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Grant Abbott Supporter Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit

In my view God speaks to us and reveals his will to us in 5 different ways. I learned this from a talk on the Alpha course. In order of God’s priority they are:

1. Commanding Scripture
2. Compelling Spirit
3. Counsel of the Saints
4. Common Sense
5. Circumstantial Signs

This is God’s order of priority in revealing his will but, as Christians we often reverse this order when seeking what God wants us to do.

Here are some examples of each way that God speaks to us.

Commanding Scripture
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The bible is God’s book, his communication to us so he can bring us his salvation, then train and equip us so we will be mature and complete, able to complete all the good works God has planned for us.

Compelling Spirit

13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
(John 16:13)

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.
(James 1:5)

The Holy Spirit is our resident teacher. He puts thoughts in our minds and feelings in our hearts to teach and train us. He can give us dreams or visions that show us what God wants us to do.

Counsel of the Saints

For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
(2 Peter 1:21)

The Holy Spirit uses other people to communicate to us, people who are mature in their faith and listening to God. We expect our pastor to bring God’s word to us during our church services.

Common Sense

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
(Proverbs 4:1-8)

We develop common sense using the rational mind God has given us to think through situations to make good decisions. We develop this common sense from the teaching of our parents and by learning from our life experiences. God speaks to us through this kind of wisdom.

Circumstantial Signs
Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
(Acts 16:6-10)

For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
(1 Corinthians 16:7-9)

In the Christian faith we often ask God to open a door of opportunity so we will know his will.

So we can see from all these examples that God loves to speak to his people in so many different ways. Why? So we will obey his will and do what is pleasing in his sight. As the apostle Paul says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.
(Romans 12:2)

September 26 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Scott Broberg Supporter Fig Tree Ministries

The reality is that God hasn't stopped talking. In fact, he is continually speaking. The problem is that we - as human beings - have difficulty hearing. We don't have the direct communication that Adam and Eve enjoyed in the Garden of Eden. But that doesn't mean God isn't talking. 

Two things about "hearing" God - 

1. God is spirit. He speaks on a spiritual level which means we must listen on a spiritual level. Everyone, on some level, has the ability to hear God. It is called "spiritual attunement." This is a spiritual discipline which takes time and practice. 

It also takes us paying very close attention to our lives and our what is going on in our minds. A good way to practice this is to write down what you are sensing or feeling about what God might be saying to you. Then over a period of time go back and read what you wrote. 

God speaks to us in a still small voice. Read over Elijah's experience with God at Mount Sanai in 1 Kings 19:11-13. Notice that Elijah is looking for a BIG loud voice. But God shows up in the "still small voice." We have to learn to pay attention to the still small voice. 

We also have to learn to test what we think God is saying to us. That is why writing it down is so important. You can test it by searching scripture. You can test it by talking to a fellow Christian who is further down the path than you to see what they think. You can test it by watchng how things play out over time. Any way you do it - you must test it to make sure you did not inadvertantly think something else was God. 

Over time you will be able to look back on periods of your life and realize how loudly God was speaking. He just doesn't speak to us the same way as we talk to each other in the physical world. 

2. Generally speaking, the times we hear God speak the loudest is when we find ourselves going through difficulties. Loss of a job. Loss of a loved one. A relationship falling apart. A tragic injury. 

During these moments it's like all the normal structure in our lives has been removed and we are searching to find our footing. When the structures are removed all of our reliance must go towards God. In these moments, as difficult as they are, we are able to hear God clearer. 

When God took the Israelites out of Egypt he didn't take them directly to a land flowing with milk and honey. He took them to the desert. The desert is where EVERYTHING is stripped away from you. Complete reliance must be upon God for everything. The Israelites had no choice but to learn to trust and hear God's voice. 

Have you ever found yourself in a "desert?" Where everything in life is suddenly stripped away? We all go through them. 

Here is something cool - 

The verb "to speak" in Hebrew is DBR (dabar) (Strongs 1696).
The noun "word" in Hebrew is DBR (dabar) (Strongs 1697). 
The word for "desert" is mDBR (miDBaR) - it is derived from the word for "word." 

What's the connection? It is in the deserts of life that we hear God's word clearly. In the desert God's word is everything to lead us. Sometimes - just like the Israelites - God takes us into a desert (mDBR) so we can hear His word (DBR). 

I hope this helps you on your journey to hear God speaking.

September 23 2020 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Ben Jones Supporter Retired Professional Photographer

I assume by "speaking" you mean God speaking audibly (out loud). God used to do exactly that! We read in Exodus 20:18-22 the following "When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear. And they said to Moses, 'You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!' 'Don’t be afraid,' Moses answered them, 'for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning! And the LORD said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: You saw for yourselves that I spoke to you from heaven.' 

God honored the wishes of the Hebrews; He will speak audibly only to His chosen prophets.

November 20 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Kelli Trujillo Supporter Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Teacher, Musician

I would assert that God has not stopped speaking to humans. Jesus came in the flesh to do away with the religious systems of the Old Testament and to create a way for us to have relationship with God, to restore--at least in some ways--the unhindered, face-to-face fellowship that Adam and Eve enjoyed with God in the Garden of Eden. It's what God has desired all along, to be able to fellowship with His children, just like earthly parents do.

With this there is a caution, though: As God speaks to us in this day and age, God will NEVER contradict or subvert his Word. For example, I've heard of dating couples who have prayed and asked God if it's okay for them to sleep together before they're married, thinking that somehow He might grant them "special permission," or that His mind has changed about sexual purity through the years. Praying to receive an answer that contradicts God's Word is just a waste of time. Furthermore, if someone claims that God "spoke" to them and told them that their blatant sin is okay, that person is TERRIBLY deceived.

God will NEVER change His mind about sin, so as we seek Him and try to discern His voice in a personal relationship, we must always be aware of what His Word says. Anytime we believe we're hearing from Him on a personal level, we must make sure what we think we're hearing concurs with His Word.

God has spoken to me many times in my life, usually when I'm still and quiet, or in a broken and humble state of mind, truly seeking Him. It's hard to explain, but I've found that when I'm in a place in which I'm more desperate and truly open to hear Him, that's when He seems to speak to me most often.

Here's a recent example: Last week I was praying for one of my grown children who isn't making godly choices at this time, and I was very burdened for this child. As I prayed, I began to recall how God wooed me back to Him when I strayed in college, and I thanked him for how He brought me back to Him. Many other people I know came to mind, and I began to thank God for how He wooed them back to Himself after straying for a time. I said to Him, "Thank you for writing these love stories, including mine."

All of a sudden, God broke into my thoughts, and He said, "What makes you think I'm not writing the same kind of love story for [the name of my child]?" This filled me with faith in a fresh way, and I began to thank Him in advance for writing this child's love story. 

Sometimes God just breaks into my thoughts this way; His voice comes seemingly out of nowhere, and I know it's Him. I often have dreams in which God speaks to me, as well.

But our most reliable way of hearing God's voice is through His Word. His principles apply to every situation in life; He has NOT left us empty-handed, and we don't have to randomly grope around, grasping at straws to try to hear Him.

The first time I ever recall hearing His voice was when I was a VERY new Christian, just 18 years old. A family friend sat me down to tell me that my parents had been killed in a plane crash, incredibly devastating news. As a new Christian with very little spiritual support in my life, I was worried I might become bitter and angry and fall away from God. 

As soon as I could, I got alone with God and pleaded with Him to help me to stay close to Him. I didn't know the Bible well, but two verses came to mind immediately as I spoke to Him:

"My grace is sufficient for you." (2 Cor. 12:9)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Rom. 8:28)

Those verses carried me in that moment, and also in the months and years that followed.

Bottom line: God desires intimate fellowship with us, which includes conversations with Him. If your heart is in the right place to hear, He will speak to you according to His written Word.

October 07 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Mark Vestal Supporter Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

God is not currently "speaking" to us today because His Word has been "fulfilled".

Col 1:25
"Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;"

Today, we 'hear' God and grow in faith through study of scripture (God's written Word).

Rom 10:17
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

There is not currently a need for prophets or 'divine conversation', as everyone has access to everything God wants us to know through study.

2 Tim 2:15
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

October 07 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

Good question, Judith! "Again and again they tested God's patience and frustrated the Holy One of Israel. They forgot about his power and how he rescued them from their enemies." (Psalm 78:41-42). We test God's patience and forget about His power--that's when He's silent! 

"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." (Psalm 66:18)

This is our sin that once again separates us from Him. But when we confess and forsake our sin, God will start speaking to us again.

October 07 2024 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report