Responding to God's Voice and Instruction

Think of your closest personal relationship, or even your relationship with a co-worker or person in authority over you. What if your boss came to you and asked that a task be accomplished in a certain way by a certain time? Would you say, “Well, let me check with my pastor.” Or even “Let me pray about that?” No, you recognize the boundaries of the relationship and respond accordingly.

Very often we, too, don’t want to learn how to hear from the Lord because of the responsibility that comes with that ability. We’re afraid of what He might say or ask us to do. This fear is likely part of what the Lord wants to expose and free us from! Though the increasing opportunities on the internet and elsewhere to share with others and get input can be great, to a large extent it has encouraged believers to turn to anyone and everyone else—experts, pastors, religious leaders, prophetic ministers—before we turn to the Lord. But the Lord wants to speak for Himself, and wants us to turn to Him first.

Consequences of Hearing the Voice of the Lord

A word of warning to those who desire to hear the Lord; He WILL respond! This will likely propel you into conflict with beliefs and relationships you now hold. God desires to speak to His people on a personal level. As you set your ears to hear Him, He will put you in situations that will provide opportunities to test what you are hearing. As the Lord draws you to Himself, He will become more and more jealous over you and how you spend your time and what you think about. Your lifestyle, attitudes and beliefs will be changed, which will affect others. Some will recognize the Lord’s presence in your life to a greater level, and will respond in one of four ways: They will encourage you, mock you, join you or ignore you. Be prepared to have your motives exposed, and set your will from the start that you will pursue the Lord’s training.