Over coffee, eggs, bacon, and toast, as we reflected on the headline newness of Scripture, the conversation shifted to hearing God’s voice.

This faith stuff is hard.

Built upon the foundation of trust, can I have faith in God to honor His promises? Wouldn’t it help if he would speak audibly from time-to-time or send me an Angel as a stand-in for God’s voice?

Sure, Scripture tells of the rare occasions in human history where God chose to speak at critical times to non-famous people. We think of them as famous because God spoke to them.

However, the vast majority of human history is lived in the hundreds and thousands of years between God’s vocal interventions.

All of the ear-splitting thunderclaps I’ve heard turned out to be the announcement of rain rather than revelation.

As one who was practically born a Christian, my lifelong intention is to follow Jesus—even though I find it far too easy to live in human mode.

I am at a point in life where my desire to know God is more intense.

In other posts, I described my life as divided in three chronological stages of learning, doing, and being. I explained during the initial learning stage—although, learning was dominant—I still attempted to do and to be.

With my prime years of learning and doing fading, I find my radar zooming in on being. To be in the fullest sense can only happen in relationship with God.

No matter how I do the math, I must conclude I am in the third and final leg of the race.

The DNA implanted in my soul by the Creator has kicked-in and makes me want to know Him and hear clarity in His voice.

How can I hear the voice of God?

My simplistic answer is I am trying to be a better listener.

I am attempting to listen closer to God’s voice, the voice of His Son, and the voice of the Holy Spirit.To hear God’s voice I want to hear from the entirety of my Bible. Scripture is not a holy smorgasbord. I want to hear God’s complete voice A to Z, Genesis to Revelation.

As I read and listen I want to distinguish between God’s voice and the fog of tradition ever present in my walk. I want to know the Holy God, the Loving Father, and the Just Judge.

A vital aspect of hearing God’s voice is to listen to the voice of His Son. Since seeing Jesus is seeing the Father, I must do better at living with Jesus in the Gospels. By watching Jesus I begin to see a more graphic picture of God’s heart.

I know neither God nor Jesus until I begin to see their hearts.

I also hear God’s voice by listening to the Holy Spirit. I may never reach absolute clarity on this one. Multiple occasions in Scripture teach of the oneness of the Godhead. When I emerged from the tomb of baptismal water, the Holy Spirit moved into my cleansed soul.

So here I am—walking through life powered by the Godhead within my being.

Here is how I think it works.

There is a constant dialogue going on in my mind. Some call it thought. Others call it conscience. Some call it whispers. Is it possible that what is happening is no less than a Godhead dialogue happening within me as I go through life?

The problem is Satan continues to tell me his poison lies. Only by knowing the heart of God and Jesus and trusting the power that comes by the Spirit will I be able to recognize Satan’s deception. Based on Scripture I recognize God’s voice so I know Satan’s voice is a false imitation.

What do you think? Shouldn’t we be listening for the voice of God?

We might find ourselves working with Him instead of causing confusion within His church.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – Reflecting on Cross Church

Gary@GodReflection.org