The Seed Blog: Cracking the Code

One of the most asked questions by Christians is “What does God Want me to do?” “What is His Will for my life?” “How can I know if this is God, or just my desire?” This problem is compounded by the wrong teachings and worries saying that we shouldn't even expect God to speak the same way today that He did in Biblical times; because we now have the written Word and it is complete—we don't need to hear from Him anymore today. This causes some to not even to try. Then we have those who feel hearing from God is for the ‘Christian elite’—super-spiritual people, pastors, teachers, etc.—but not for average Christians. Well, here are practical and Biblical answers to those thoughts to hopefully put these this misconception out of your mind permanently: God still speaks. God did not just speak to His people in times past so He could bring them the written Word until completed, but because He was personally and intimately involved in their lives and events.

Think about this: God spoke to Abraham because He had something for him to do personally (leave your home to birth a Nation). God spoke to Moses and the people of Israel because He had something for them to do personally (conquer Canaan). God spoke to David because He had something for him to do personally (become King of Israel). Is God still working through His people to change lives and nations? Why wouldn’t He still be talking? In each case, these men were intimately seeking the presence of God and in return, God came to them personally. Why do we have any reason—when we know the character and plans of our God—to believe He would have a time when He stopped speaking to us? Because some say you believe He speaks, but in your heart, you would never truly expect it. Why would He create us for love, intimacy and fellowship and give His own life to restore it when it was broken, just to leave us in distance and silence? Why would He tell us He desired to come in and "SUP" with us...
At a Table of Intimacy and Fellowship? And leave us there alone? Why would He bother to literally fill us with His Spirit and become one with us physically and spiritually, and remain silent inside of our own souls? Why would He suddenly not be interested in our individual lives? Not lead us in very personal ways? When He has a plan for every one of us individually? Why would He talk to His people in a time (OT) when they were not yet cleansed, filled, sanctified, and made His Bride, and yet stop talking to us after we have been bought and given to Him? Why would He tell us it was more beneficial for Him to go away so that His Spirit might come and be in us to guide and comfort us, if it meant we would know and hear less of Him? Does He Love us less? Does He still have a plan that we are a part of fulfilling? Does His Word show that He uses His people up to, and in even the very Last Days? Does He still want fellowship? Is He the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever? Then it is without doubt that He still speaks today. So, why do people insist that He has stopped speaking? Because even though they may go through the steps, many do not seek Him with real passion and faith, therefore they don’t hear Him. They have to justify why they are not hearing Him—and obviously the problem couldn’t be with them, so, they conclude He must not be speaking anymore. There are a number of times in Scriptures—even when His Word was not completed yet and He was still working through the prophets to pen His Words—where God ceased for a time speaking to His people as well. Because it wasn’t just about writing His Word, but about His relationship with men and women. He was silent in those times, not because He didn’t want to speak, but because of the condition of the people's hearts: 1 Samuel 3:1; Amos 8:11; Psalm 74:9. If we are not hearing from God, it is not the times we are living in, it is not because He doesn’t want to speak, it is because we are not truly interested in hearing what He has to say and not interested in truly following and surrendering, or we are not sincerely trusting He wants to speak. Put everything we just said aside for a moment and let Scripture seal the answer once and for all: John 10:27; John 14:26; John 16:13-14; Romans 8:14; John 10:16; Revelation 3:20; Jeremiah 29:13. We have taken this time to see with certainty that God still speaks so that you can come to Him in assurance and expectation.
Now we will take the remaining time to look at the Biblical pattern for hearing the voice and will of God. This is not a legalistic list for "How To" that can be followed like a check sheet to get what you want. It is not a sermon on technique—because the real challenge in hearing God is not in learning the right code or method, but in a changed heart, a renewed love and desire. It is a call to instill the passion and expectation which are the only requirements to hear God. Was Abraham given classes on “How to Hear the Voice of God?" How about Moses? David? Paul? Then why do we think we need to crack some "spiritual code" to unlock the voice of God? Why do we think He wants to hide it or make it difficult? When our desire is true and God knows that we are willing and wanting, He will not let us miss it. If He wants you to hear Him, do you think it will be difficult for Him show Himself?
Here is a description of ‘a heart’ that can hear from God. 1) Sin: Ask yourself if you are living in a known sinful way (Samuel near Ark). Do not fool yourself into thinking that you truly want to hear God's will for your life or that you want to follow and do that will if you are already ignoring His will in other areas of your life to suit your own desires and wants. Are you surrendered to Him already in areas such as: pornography; Godly relationships (equally yoked); sexual activity, homosexuality, gender rejection; substance and alcohol misuse; unforgiveness and bitterness; selfish living, victim mentality, unloving, or arrogant attitude; not assembling with God's people to minister, love and worship; not using your time, talents and material goods to help others. If we are not sensitive and caring in these revealed areas of His desire, why would He reveal anything else seeing clearly that we are not interested to hear or follow Him already when it conflicts with our own life? If He did reveal His will to us in this state, we would not be truly listening with sincere intentions. We would twist what we read, hear, see, and who we talk to in order to get our desired answer anyway: Psalm 32:8-9; Psalm 66:18; James 4:3. 2) His Word is probably the most powerful thing we will learn today, but it is so avoided and neglected that most do not realize the absolute life-changing effect. The passion and earnestness with which you seek to know His already revealed Word (Scriptures) is the true passion you have for wanting to really hear any new revelation or direction from God in your life. We study His Known Word to: Get clear answers He has already spoken about with open, surrendered hearts, ready to learn and obey; to get knowledge and understanding so we are ready to react to events and temptations in the moment; to know His character and love intimately so we can discern what would please Him and choose His way by our own discernment just to please Him. Study His Word to see Him and know Him intimately; read for quality and intimacy, not quantity. Apply what you are reading to yourself in context and act on it. Read everything about the topic you are facing in your life, not just a section for your "One Year Bible Reading." You are not serious about wanting to hear and do His will if you are not driven to know what He's already said openly: Psalm 119:7-16. 3) Desire to please Him first: Seek to hear His voice and know His will for the primary reason that you actually believe His way is better; and for wanting to know Him and glorify Him; that you want to be used to serve Him and love others because you actually think He deserves it, instead of only asking for your own self advancement or comfort. 4) Expectantly: if we are living to please Him sincerely—if we are asking to hear from Him in order to serve and glorify—we need to listen with assurance, expectation, and excitement, not putting Him in a box as to how and when He will answer, but watching and listening, and giving Him a time and a place to speak with you: Daniel 6:10: Daniel prayed at a set time and place 3x’s a day. Prayer is a two-way street; fellowship is mutual communication. Listen along the way each day walking with Him in expectation. But also make a set aside time and place to meet with and hear your beloved King, and listen with expectation: Psalm 37:7; James 1:5-8. 5) Obedience: Read His Word, listen for His voice, pay attention to circumstances with the sincere commitment to do what you hear or discern—with the passion to be obedient to His Words or direction—no matter the cost, the direction, how conflicting to your own passions or lifestyle, or the contradiction to the logic in your own mind. Trust and obey, in love, in gratitude, in humble understanding that He is infinitely more knowledgeable, and in complete faith that His way will be 100% better—even for e in the end. Trust that He is not trying to wreck your life or lead you into something terrible and unwanted, but that He has the greatest plan for your life: Psalm 37:5-6.
Pursue Him. God speaks to us through many different ways and it is His choice as to how and when He speaks—knowing what we need at that time, knowing what it will take to make it clear to us. He speaks through: His Word powerfully and primarily (in illumination from the Spirit); through impressions of clarity in the mind and soul that are at times unmistakable; through others; through dreams; and through circumstances. But realize this: God will never use people, circumstances or impressions to tell you anything (ever) that He has not already spoken to your heart—whether you have wanted to acknowledge it or not. Stop looking for a method or a code to hear Him and start seeking His voice for His sake and glory (wanting to please Him) because you really trust and want His will. Remove the areas you are already being disobedient in life; make time to spend with Him in study and prayer, seeking expectantly to hear from Him; and be ready to go wherever He leads, do whatever He directs—in complete trust, excitement, and obedience. And the real adventure of following Jesus will begin as you seek and find His purpose, direction and worth for your life.