How to deal with not hearing Gods voice?

Dear brothers and sisters,

I think the subject-title says it all. How do you deal with it? Actually this is not a topic where I intent this to be 'debated' but a topic to get some help.

I don't see any progression in my walk with God, no prayers anwsers... its horrible... How can I find Gods will in my life? How can I live without having Gods discernment? The worst thing is that I even had some old sins returning lately... I don't feel comfortable, I have the idea that something is wrong, I just can't seem to decipher what it is.

God is worthy of so more of my attention and love then I give Him... I can be so busy with doing all sorts of things.

In the summer of 2004 I called out to God and I stated that I wanted to follow Him whatever the costs. I'm confused, except for I know that God exists and I want to follow Him!

"...though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness though manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor..." (I Peter 1:6-7)

In the summer of 2004 I called out to God and I stated that I wanted to follow Him whatever the costs.

And nobody warned you what to expect? When you pray a prayer like that, the waves don't usually come right away. There's still a calm...until one day you realize you're moving out into deeper waters. Eventually you realize that you're in over your head, and swimming is futile. This is the dying process, brother. The secret is to stop trying to stay afloat and just [i]sink[/i] down like Jonah. God wants us to drown to all our efforts and flotation devices and personal life lines and just sink down in helpless self-death. Absolute surrender, as Andrew Murray would say.

The prayer "Whatever the cost" is scary one. The [i]cost[/i] is very, very high. Take courage in knowing you're not alone, brother -- I'm paying it too, everyday, and so are some others here. It's a daily cost, brother, a daily death. The truth is, we often don't hear back from God when we want to. Though He hides His Face for a season, he's still there. When a baby is still very small, the mother won't leave his side. He cries and she's there with the bottle. But when we get older in God, He begins to treat us like growing, maturing children...and we now must be disciplined and taught to pray and study the Word of God as our source of survival. He's teaching you [i]to come to Him[/i] and Him alone for life.

I'm confused

"...think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you..." (I Peter 4:12)

Welcome to the school of God!

"My brethren, count it all [b]joy[/b] when ye fall into divers temptations, knowing this: that the trying of your faith worketh patience." (James 1:2-3)

Brother Paul

Reply to Jonathan,

Jonathan, Brother Paul said it better than I can, but if I may the Bible speaks of vexing the Holy Spirit. My understanding is that this is allowing sin to reenter your life. Sin is a very serious matter and I would repent immediately.

There is not a Christian on this forum that has not wandered away from God became lonely, depressed and confused. God is not the author of confusion, we are. Confusion always comes when we try to live like the rest of the world and ignore our Shepard but when we returned to God and drew close, God drew close to us. You will be chastened and the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

Turn to The Word of God and seek and pray earnestly and with faith that God will answer but ask for spiritual gifts that will lead to peace and rest.

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal
life, and this life is in his Son.

He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son
of God hath not life.

Communion to me is fellowship with God (Gen. 18:17-33; Ex. 33:9-11; Num. 12:7, 8), Communion between Christ and his people (John 14:23),Communion by the Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14; Phil. 2:1)Communion, of believers with one another (Eph. 4:1-6). ),

Communion because in it there is fellowship between Christ and his disciples, and of the disciples with one another. Christ Jesus is The Word of God the Holy Unleavened Bread and the life we feed upon.

Eddie

I'm glad that you answered this question because I'm going through the same thing.

Then again, I might know whats causing my problem. Next month I'm starting college, but I haven't given that part of my life to Him fully. I should, it's only right, but its hard because I feel the tug of everyone else's opinion....

So, since I think that's whats going on with me, I encourage to look inside yourself for things you haven't surrendered to God.

Otherwise, it might just be what that awesomely encouraging 1 Peter scripture said.

I, at this moment Warrior4Yah, am struggling with the same disquiet of soul as you in that I feel God has hidden Himself from me even after a lot of fasting over the last ten days which after reading Joel 2 I felt called to. I'm feeling an urgent need to hear from God, to be comforted by Him as I see the world unraveling around us.

I don't believe in the pre-tribulation rapture and that most who live today will experience the apocalypic prophecies of the Word.

Therefore I'm in that same place as you--to know that you are under the favor of God, a longing and urgent need to hear from God. I too still struggle for certain sins which God in His mercy keeps me from but it is a daily battle of the flesh.

I believe with all my heart Warrior4Yah that you have the answer in your own post--"[u][b][size=x-small]He is worthy of our all[/size][/b][/u]."

Last night in the middle of the night I couldn't sleep my trepidation and angst about my sin state and the state of the world was so great, so opened the Word and just began reading. My eyes fell on Matthew 7:21:

[b][i][size=x-small][color=FF3333]Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [/color][/size][/i][/b]

Today I've pressed in to Lord Jesus asking Him to help me "do the will of the Father" by walking in obedience to His Word. His Word is telling us that not our emotions, not our works before God or man please Him, but ONLY doing the "will of God the Father".

Lord Jesus help Warrior4Yah and me and any other who would pray this prayer to walk in obedience to You, to Your Word. We cry out to you Lord for favor to do Your will no matter what it takes, no matter the cost to our flesh or life. Amen

JimDied2Sin also has a word that speaks to my heart he just now posted on this SI site that addresses this very issue of our obedience Warrior4Yah. It would be well worth your time to read:

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=17943&forum=34

Wise words from bro PaulWest, just to add my humble offerings, remember Job, he went though a time when God was silent, He 'wants to see what we will do' when He takes a 'step away' from us (figuratively speaking, we do it often with little children to see how they'll act when they think they're on their own) if we turn to our old ways then it shows what is still inside us that must be dealt with, He wants us to follow Him even when we can't see or hear Him, it sounds strange but I believe it teaches us more about ourselves than any other method.

Use this 'desert place' to spend time reading the bible, fill up your spare time with God things, then when you arrive in the Land of Promise you will be somewhat prepared for the battles waiting for you there.

Ste

Psalm 119

9 \tHow can a young man cleanse his way?
\tBy taking heed according to Your word.
10 \tWith my whole heart I have sought You;
\tOh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
11 \tYour word I have hidden in my heart,
\tThat I might not sin against You.
12 \tBlessed are You, O LORD!
\tTeach me Your statutes.
13 \tWith my lips I have declared
\tAll the judgments of Your mouth.
14 \tI have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
\tAs much as in all riches.
15 \tI will meditate on Your precepts,
\tAnd contemplate Your ways.
16 \tI will delight myself in Your statutes;
\tI will not forget Your word.
17 \tDeal bountifully with Your servant,
\tThat I may live and keep Your word.
18 \tOpen my eyes, that I may see
\tWondrous things from Your law.

The word of God trains one to recognize His voice.

If God said to Cain,

Gen. 4:6 So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Should He not expect the same of us?

In Christ
Jeff

Jonathan, I think the simple fact that you've realized that you aren't hearing God very well is evidence that you are on the right track. It's like searching for a radio station and finding the right numbers on the dial, but the signal isn't very good so you can't understand half of what's being said. You just need a bigger antenna.

I can remember when I went through a time just like you are describing. I realized that I couldn't hear God very well. He sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher.

Here's what to do about that problem, Brother. Confess to God that you have dull ears.
Search out "dull ears" in the Bible.
Repent of the things that cause dull ears.
Pray and ask God to get the spiritual cotton out of your ears.
Pray and ask God to give you eyes to see and ears to hear the Truth that will set you free.

The Word of God says, (my version) "My sheep (God's people) know my voice and a stranger they will not follow." Also, "...and you shall hear a voice behind you saying, 'this is the way, walk ye in it."

If we are God's child and we can't hear God very well, then we are the one's with the problem. God will show you where the problem is, Brother. Of this, I'm quite certain. Simply humble yourself before him and he will answer you. Don't give up. Love, Dian.

One of my pastors oftentimes says "You can't hear from God, when He's not speaking." When God is silent, that is the most extraordinarily painful place so I can understand where your at. I generally end up there because I'm unwilling to do what the Holy Spirit has asked me to do. It may not be gross sin and almost always is not.

I recently went through a lengthy fast and then the Lord asked me to go almost immediately to a stringent diet and frankly I had an attitude about it, which I had to repent for.

Was there a point in time where you left Jesus or violated something you had agreed to do? That's the road back to Jesus and it's generally quite painful and may take you some time. The devil will say it's no use to pray and no use to read the scriptures because God has left you. I encourage you to seek Him with all of your heart and cry out to Him in your prayer closet. He has NOT left you.

I don't see any progression in my walk with God, no prayers anwsers... its horrible... How can I find Gods will in my life?

How can I live without having Gods discernment?

The worst thing is that I even had some old sins returning lately... I don't feel comfortable, I have the idea that something is wrong, I just can't seem to decipher what it is.

I praise God for the discomfort in your soul and pray that it increases until He meets you. He will deliver you...

The worst thing is that I even had some old sins returning lately... I don't feel comfortable

What God is doing here is showing you parts of your hidden self that still aren't surrendered. Be it dirty thoughts, love of money, anger, etc. These things "hide out" in your heart until summoned by an outward influence. You may think you have victory over the love of mammon, for example -- until an irresponsible family member asks to "borrow" a very large sum of money. You may think you have victory over sexual impurity -- until you notice dirty thoughts are no longer driven from your mind as soon as they surface. You welcome them to stick around for a few moments before banishing. Very subtle, and thus the cancer of hidden sin begins to metastasize.

The "old sins" come back, because they we're never really gone. They just sort of went into a dormancy. This is why we need to constantly feed on the Word of God -- the light imparted from the Word keeps our bodily temptations and youthful lusts at bay. It's easier to not yield to temptation or entertain filthy thoughts when we are walking with refreshed inner men, washed by the Word, abiding in God.

If you've ever boiled a pot of potatos, you know that once the water is boiling, scum rises and curdles at the surface. Where did the scum come from? Why was it not there when the water was cool and calm? The scum was on the potatos, and the heat caused it to disattach and manifest at the surface. Such the same purpose are God's fiery trials, to bring forth the hidden filth in our hearts to perceptible manifestation so it can then be "scooped out" of the pot by the Holy Spirit.

The question now is, however, will you allow God to mortify the scum by the Spirit? Will you trust and obey? If not, [i]you need light![/i] You need a taste of God's ineffable purity...and this can be found by soaking in the Word of God and surrendering day-by-day to God's scouring process.

Brother Paul

Thank you all for your replies in love! :)

@ brother Paul,

And nobody warned you what to expect?

Perhaps this is about dieing to self, and maybe I am trying to 'stay alive'.
A bibletext comes to mind; in Matthew 16:25 it says:
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” I guess I'm not that 'dead' as I thought I was.

The prayer "Whatever the cost" is scary one. The cost is very, very high. Take courage in knowing you're not alone, brother -- I'm paying it too, everyday, and so are some others here... He's teaching you to come to Him and Him alone for life.

Yea, its a scary prayer... but I knew enough that it was the only way to follow the Lord back then. Even then I did not realize what it means, perhaps/probably even now I still don't fully. If God is teaching me to come to Him its a hard lesson, still I can rejoice in that as it means that He didn't left me! :) I remember that the word says that God chastens and disciplines his children!

Welcome to the school of God!

The "old sins" come back, because they we're never really gone. They just sort of went into a dormancy. This is why we need to constantly feed on the Word of God -- the light imparted from the Word keeps our bodily temptations and youthful lusts at bay. It's easier to not yield to temptation or entertain filthy thoughts when we are walking with refreshed inner men, washed by the Word, abiding in God.

Amen! I might pm you about an issue that I have, perhaps you can give me some godly advice on that. But perhaps its not necessary anymore, I'll see how the following days go.

(about your 2nd reply)

The question now is, however, will you allow God to mortify the scum by the Spirit? Will you trust and obey? If not, you need light! You need a taste of God's ineffable purity...and this can be found by soaking in the Word of God and surrendering day-by-day to God's scouring process.

Perhaps its that I want to have a close and awesome relation with God like many great man of God have and had, but without paying the cost. I can't be close to God if I don't want God to mortify the scum in my life. But for now I will say Amen on your words! I do want the scum to be mortified and I do want to get soaked and surrender day-by-day, I'll bring this issue to Him in prayer!

@ brother Eddy,

Jonathan, Brother Paul said it better than I can, but if I may the Bible speaks of vexing the Holy Spirit. My understanding is that this is allowing sin to reenter your life. Sin is a very serious matter and I would repent immediately.

You will be chastened and the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

Turn to The Word of God and seek and pray earnestly and with faith that God will answer but ask for spiritual gifts that will lead to peace and rest.

@ brother HopePurifies,

What does it mean for you to not have given over that part of your life?
I remember myself asking God if I should go to the bible school I am in now, God did not reply and I had to make a choice, its so hard if you are left over to your own judgement.

So, since I think that's whats going on with me, I encourage to look inside yourself for things you haven't surrendered to God.

Otherwise, it might just be what that awesomely encouraging 1 Peter scripture said.

@ brother FreebyWord,

Lord Jesus help Warrior4Yah and me and any other who would pray this prayer to walk in obedience to You, to Your Word. We cry out to you Lord for favor to do Your will no matter what it takes, no matter the cost to our flesh or life. Amen

About the topic, I'll read that too... but maybe not tonight (now almost 3 am!). Thank you!

@ brother Ste,

Wise words from bro PaulWest, just to add my humble offerings, remember Job, he went though a time when God was silent, He 'wants to see what we will do' when He takes a 'step away' from us (figuratively speaking, we do it often with little children to see how they'll act when they think they're on their own) if we turn to our old ways then it shows what is still inside us that must be dealt with, He wants us to follow Him even when we can't see or hear Him, it sounds strange but I believe it teaches us more about ourselves than any other method.

Use this 'desert place' to spend time reading the bible, fill up your spare time with God things, then when you arrive in the Land of Promise you will be somewhat prepared for the battles waiting for you there.

Thanks brother Jeff! Beautiful psalm, and its truth too. About Genesis 4:6 that sin lies at the door... reminds me of that other sermon I listened to today 'How to keep your home from satanic influences' from David Wilkerson... must hear, atleast it was for me! :-)

@ sister Diane,

Thank you for your godly advice!

@ brother(?) death2self,

Was there a point in time where you left Jesus or violated something you had agreed to do? That's the road back to Jesus and it's generally quite painful and may take you some time. The devil will say it's no use to pray and no use to read the scriptures because God has left you. I encourage you to seek Him with all of your heart and cry out to Him in your prayer closet. He has NOT left you.

A good question, I have wondered about that for quite a few times... I just can't think up of the thing (or probably series of things) that took my focus of the Lord.
I do know when it started to happen... probably around the time that I had a lot of contact with a dear sister of mine which I was in love with. I told her that I was in love with her, but she had no feelings for me. Still we prayed that we might become good friends and that the Lord might still open a door at her heart if it was His will. We became very good friends and I was as filled with God as I could be at that time, I kept talking about God and the things I found out in His word in my quiet times. At some point she asked me if we could also talk about personal things instead of God all the time, not that she didn't like that, she loved it.. but she got tired.. I guess thats normal if you have to hear someone talk about God for hours. :-)

So I also started to talk more about my personal life, very very slowly my focus must have drifted off... I remember not being so on fire for God anymore when I (was about to lose)/lost my contact with her (long story). At that time I did find a lot of comfort from the Lord about my situation... anyhow I won't write more, I still don't know if this is the cause... The Lord already showed me in the past that I tend to declare victory to soon or that I to easily thought a spiritual problem was solved or that I had found the answer. The last thing I should do now is to say that I'm fine now and point to a series of things which I would bring up as method. That would be very unwise and I have the risk of trying to get God in a box. I need to ask the Lord about your question.

True thing about the progression, I almost got totally sucked in those old sins. At on point in my life weeks ago I had an attack on me where a voice told me to give up and pursue my passions and say goodbye to God. Really a scary time... :S
Thank you Lord for not giving up on me!! You are so Faithful Lord! :D

@ brother mahoney,

I think what you may be dealing with is, not "feeling" God, and what He is teaching you (as He teaches all of His children) is that "the just(ified) shall live by faith"..in His Word. Not by experiences or feelings.

Yes, I had trouble not feeling God... perhaps there still is a desire to feel God, but I think its more about having my prayers not answered and God keeping silent at important or smaller decisions in my life. This is very discouraging over a long period of time.

When Lazarus was in the tomb, dead and stinking, and all those around were weeping in true sorrow. Remember that Jesus wept. He wept for all those around because He truly felt there pain, but He also knew that this death was necessary. It was the Father's will. He sees you where you are, and He is weeping, like a Father, because He knows He has to allow you to go through this.

You are not out of the will of God. You are right smack in it. " This is the will of God...even your sanctification!"

Go to His Word and find out what He has done for you In Christ, and find out who you are In Christ.
If you ask, He will answer. How do I know that...because it says so in His Word!

Btw, I didn't expect so much replies... that took me a while to answer you guys. :-)