Hearing God's Voice

I expect this subject has been raised before and apologies if it has but....

How can I know God's voice? In particular, how can I distinguish between God's voice and my own thoughts.

Let me explain what I mean. A few times I have felt that I should pursue a particular course of action. It is a course of action that I am reluctant to follow. However, the thought persists. I would say that it is insistent to the point of dominating my mind e.g. in worship. I pray the Gideon type prayers (Lord, if you want me to do this then bring the issue up in conversation etc) but nothing happens. I then go to church and there is a prophecy about taking burdens on to yourself that the Lord has not given. I respond and am liberated to worship. However, the next week the preacher says something that makes me think the opposite.

Now, how can I know if this really is the voice of God or not? I would really love to clear this up so that I can move on.

You have asked a very good question - I don't know all the answers, but here are some aspects that may help:

1. Is what you are feeling biblical? (if it's not, then it is clearly not of God.)

2. Is it presented in a confusing or condemning manner? - often this also can be an indication that it is not from the Lord.

3. On the other hand, God often has us do things that we don't want to do, or that don't make sense, so that we learn, besides other things, to trust only and completely on Him. He can be very persistant, and to many people that in itself is a sign of God's hand. I would advise getting alone before God and seeing if the thoughts continue to bug you. I know this may be controversial for some people, but if you resist the devil, he will flee from you (Jas 4:7
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."). Once you have resisted him in Jesus' name, and the thoughts still come back, then it is probably from the Lord. When I have had experiences like you have explained, I will often ask God to show me if it is really from Him by letting me positively know that He is the one speaking to me - and He does! God will help you to know if you are trully seeking the truth.

I hope this has made sense and is a help to you.
SentOut

[u][b]What a wonderful opportunity for you to grow! [/b][/u]Discerning the will of God in your life in a particular issue. You probable know all the things below, but just to remind you these come to my mind:

1. God is not the author of confusion.

2. I understand seeking the counsel of many. Just remember that you will not be taking your pastor with you in your “new course of action” nor will he answer to God for your action.

3. In the seeking counsel department, consider sharing, off-line if need be, this new course of action (if it is too risky/public here). Or, with a mature believer that knows you, your past failings, your growth in Christ.

4. The certainty of a call is essential. Real Peace. The certainty of a call is a point in future prayer, as in, “Father, you said …” If God cannot get through to you clearly and directly now, what will be the case later? He knows you/your heart intension. He can show that to you. Satan only recognizes your flesh and Christ. Did God not reach you in salvation? He says, “Be still and know that I am God.” That is a good place to rest. You already have too many contradictory thoughts/graspings.

5. Examine your past “sticking points” with God. God can show you. A central lesson I learned is: [u][b]It is not until a man is dead that his goods can be dispersed. [/b][/u]

6. Some Saints say wait for three things, ALL THREE: Straight from His Word, perfect peace, and opening circumstances.

7. What is your prayer life like? When I am clear that I am seeking only to obey Him, every time I have been dispirit in prayer, regarding walking issues, I have heard from Him and it always corrects my perception, and the issue is settled immediately (a loving rebuke).

8. In reviewing your post, I notice that what you call “the Gideon type prayers” are either not that type or you are not hearing from God. He asked [u][b]twice and got the same answer[/b][/u]. I suppose that is why you are reaching out here. Consider the Blood of Christ in this situation.

9. We can pray that there be nothing between your Lord and you as you rest in #4.

10. [u][b]If you report how this works out, what you learn, you could help others.[/b][/u]

If you have time you might want to listen to Erlo Stegen in this sermon, he gives scripture and expounds and shares some testimonies and the importance on knowing the Shepard's voice.

[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=14481&commentView=itemComments]Learning to know the Shepard's voice by Erlo Stegen[/url]

Christian

This is a tough question. I'm finding there are almost always three voices when faced with a decision or some other choice: the Holy Spirit, the Devil (or a demonic spirit) and my own spirit. How do I know which is which...

The Holy Spirit will never tell you something that's contrary to scripture. That's a good general rule. If I obey God's will, it won't make be somebody, it will likely be the opposite end because God can only provide grace to the humble of heart.

There's always a battle of will to twist what God wants into what I want or what I think that God should want rather than what He wants or what He requires. We have to come to a place where the cry of our heart is not my will, but thy will be done. That's oftentimes a place of great tears and brokenness of heart.

The best way to hear God's voice is to quickly obey Him when He asks you to do something (or not to do something, which is equally important). If you're slow to obey, he'll be slow to speak. It's not complicated but I oftentimes forget this simple concept.

The second question is do I have an agenda other than the kingdom of God? If the answer is yes, they'll be a mixture of self with God and it's gets very difficult to discern between the two. The only way out of this is for the self to die. This has been quite painful and I've often fought against this.

The third question to ask oneself is "Am I believing a lie of the devil?" He'll always portray God in a negative light. For example, when asked to fast by the Holy Spirit, he'll say that's not fair to fast one day or week or for a prolonged period. If he asks me to give something I don't want to give, than will I do it or say I'm not sure that was God and not do it.

That's the great fear of my heart, is that we simply ignore the Holy Spirit when He's not telling us what we want to hear. He has not been unkind to me but is very straight and honest with my heart...

Sorry I'm rambling but hope this helped a bit...

I may be breaking from the usual crowd here...

But could you, or anyone else, please post a Biblical example of God leading someone by speaking to them in their thoughts/minds?

All of the examples in the Bible of God speaking to someone is either audible or visual. As far as I know, it is never clearly said to be via thoughts.

The Lord's Scripture is the perfect guide to His will. We have a responsibility to study His Scripture and make wise decisions. Sometimes the Lord gives freedom in an area, and that means we are free to make a godly decision informed by His Scripture.

For further reading on the topic of Biblical decision making, please check out the book "Decision Making and the Will of God" by Frieson

Also, just to kind of expand upon my post and discuss how this would work in your life.

For example, if you are contemplating whether to share the Gospel with someone, we already know it is God's will to share the Gospel via the Scripture; however, you need to take into consideration whether this is a wise time to share the Gospel, what would be good ways to approach this person about the Gospel, etc.

For example, if you are contemplating whether to take a certain job. We already know it is God's will that we work to provide for ourselves. Is this job going to detract from your ability to live as a Christian? Will this job detract from your ability to care for your family? Will this job break any other Scriptural guideline? If not, do you want to work this job? You actually have some freedom to decide. You can take the job or not, what is the wisest thing to do in light of Scripture?

I know waiting on God to specifically tell you what to do outside of the Scripture sounds kind of spiritual and advanced, but it is really an unnecessary burden. Read the Bible. It is God-breathed that the man of God may be perfect and complete. Every decision can be made in light of the Bible, and if the Scripture gives no clear teaching or the situation is something indifferent, you are free to decide.

But could you, or anyone else, please post a Biblical example of God leading someone by speaking to them in their thoughts/minds?

Act 21:11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

Act 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Mar 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Just a few brother. Even the first instance does not suggest audible speaking but intimation, inspiration ...

[b]Act 15:28 -
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost[/b] - This is a strong and undoubted claim to inspiration. It was with special reference to the organization of the church that the Holy Spirit had been promised to them by the Lord Jesus, Mat_18:18-20; Joh_14:26.

Albert Barnes

Regarding the post that was made citing Scriptures:

Acts 21:11 says nothing about the thoughts or mind. The Holy Spirit could have easily spoken this audibly to the prophet.

Acts 15:28 also says nothing regarding thoughts implanted in the mind.

John 14:26 is a promise directly to the Apostles who would go on to write canonical Scripture breathed by the Holy Spirit in which they recalled what the Lord Jesus said and did. This is not a promise to every believer.

Mark 13:11 is Jesus speaking to the Apostles (Peter, James, and John specifically) and He makes no promise that the Lord will whisper into our thoughts what we should do everyday life circumstances.

Also, regarding another member's post. Be careful not to read meanings into "being led by the Spirit" that are not really indicated in the Scripture.

God certainly has a determined plan for our life. The Lord has purposes He is going to work in the Earth. However, we are never instructed to beg the Lord to reveal these plans to us. He has graciously given us His Scripture as our perfect guide, and we are to live in light of that Scripture and make wise, godly decisions.

To claim that God is constantly speaking things into your mind is to elevate your thoughts to the level of Scripture, and is a good way to open the doors wide open for everyone to "do what is right in their own eyes".

I would encourage you all to enjoy the freedom of knowing the Bible is truly perfect to guide our lives.

Also, I know all this talk about waiting on the Lord to tell you what to do sounds really a lot like the "old paths" and very pietistic; however, you would be suprised just how new a thing it is that this view is widely accepted by Christians.

If you want a thorough refute of the view, you can also look into Jonathan Edward's "Religious Affections".

I wanted to apologize if I gave the mistaken impression that hearing from God is some kind of mystical experience. It's far from mystical but more specific, like don't contend with your wife, do this, don't do this. There's simply a still small voice...

There's many examples in the scriptures. Here's one of my favorites from Acts 9...

10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered.

11The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."

13"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."

15But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Dear death2self...

In this passage, the Spirit could have spoken audibly to Ananias. We have no evidence that it was something in the mind. I just wanted to put out to fellow believers there is really not any proof that the Lord is constantly speaking into our minds what to do.

The things like you said, "don't content with your wife", etc. are all Scriptural commands. We do not need any special revelation to know those things. I am simply contending that the Scripture has guidance for every single situation in life, and if it does not speak on a specific topic, then we have freedom to make godly decisions. I believe this is the only position that fully agrees with the Scripture being perfectly sufficient for the believer. It really has been a very liberating thing in my life and I hope has born much fruit since I understood the truth that the Bible is sufficient to guide me and I don't have to be tormented by wondering if the voice in my head is God or not.

Grace to you.

Ggriffo,

And there is nothing wrong with your question, as long as it’s in the perfect will of God that you ask. When our thoughts get the best of us, and we find ourselves struggling to hear the Voice of God, same as your, hearing gods voice/this is the time when you gather all of your thoughts unto the obedience of Jesus Christ.

Every thought that tries to rise up against the knowledge of God’s word is held captive unto the obedience of Jesus Christ.

Gideon was a man or war, as God is a man of War. Gideon was smart enough to know that he needed confirmation before pursing his triumphant victory. God gave him his confirmation twice. (sorry only because you used Gideon as an ex.)

Moses was a man that needed to know if God would accompany him. Moses felt inadequate yet God told him that he would be his mouth piece, and gave him a staff -- Many miracles were accomplished with that staff, several signs and wonders for the unbelieving.

What can you possibly tell God that he does not already know or should I say that he has always known.

God is looking at your heart and your willingness to submit to him. Obedience is better than sacrifice.

•\tYour struggles God already knows them
•\tYour failures God already knows them
•\tYour weaknesses God already knows them
•\tYour past history God already knows them

When Moses was having communion with God, he told him that he wanted to see his face, the Lord/Jehovah told him that no one could see his face, so instead he passed by him and Moses discerned his glory. Why did Moses discern his glory? He discerned his glory because he walked in the fear of the Lord/Jehovah, and he knew that there was nothing that could possibly be hidden from Jehovah.

When the Israelites were freed from Egypt, they desired to have communion with God, as Moses did, why should, they be excluded. God granted them there wish, but as soon as they heard his voice they feared him, and said No! Moses you speak to God, and then convey it to us.

It is the Glory of God the Lord / Jehovah you should be pursing not his audible voice.

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever more, he does not change. Yet he requires us to change, he who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying.

Here is a portion from Jonathan Edwards...

"And if persons have the will of God concerning their actions, suggested to them by some text of Scripture, suddenly and extraordinarily brought to their minds, which text, as the words lay in the Bible before they came to their minds, related to the action and behavior of some other person, but they suppose, as God sent the words to them, he intended something further by them, and meant such a particular action of theirs; I say, if persons
should have the will of God thus suggested to them with texts of Scripture, it alters not the case. The suggestion being accompanied with an apt text of Scripture, does not make the suggestion to be the nature of spiritual instruction. As for instance, if a person in New England, on some occasion, were at a loss whether it was his duty to go into some popish or heathenish land, where he was like to be exposed to many difficulties and dangers, and should pray to God that he would show him the way of his duty; and after earnest prayer, should have those words which God spake to Jacob, Gen. 46, suddenly and extraordinarily brought to his mind, as if they were spoken to him; "Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will go with thee; and I will also surely bring you up again." In which words, though as they lay in the Bible before they came to his mind, they related only to Jacob, and his behavior; yet he supposes that God has a further meaning, as they were brought and applied to him; that thus they are to be understood in a new sense, that by Egypt is to be understood this particular country he has in his mind, and that the action intended is his going thither, and that the meaning of the promise is, that God would bring him back into New England again. There is nothing of the nature of a spiritual or gracious leading of the Spirit in this; for there is nothing of the nature of spiritual understanding in it. Thus to understand texts of Scripture, is not to have a spiritual understanding of them. Spiritually to understand the Scriptures, is rightly to understand what is in the Scripture, and what was in it before it was understood: it is to understand rightly, what used to be contained in the meaning of it, and not the making of a new meaning...This making a new meaning to the Scripture, is the same thing as making a new Scripture; it is properly adding to the word, which is threatened with so dreadful a curse."

Griffo,

I would suggest you ask the LORD to teach you to recognize his voice when he speaks to you. I would think we would all agree He will not tell you to do something contrary to the Word of God, but what you are interested in is in the everyday things of life which calls for a decision and you are at a loss to know which way to go.

I have learned also that the LORD will often tell you to do something that defies logic - at the moment. When you do the logical thing, you will discover later you should have followed that still small voice instead.

The short of the long is to simply ask the LORD to be taught by Him and mean it when you ask and be willing to follow through with obedience. Disobedience is the greatest hinderance to experiencing the Spirit-filled life. Actually, the scriptures calls it sin.

Blessings,
ginnyrose

Act 15:28 For it [b]seemed[/b] good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

Acts 15:28 also says nothing regarding thoughts implanted in the mind.

Why 'seemed' then? Why not specific? If it seemed good to the Holy Ghost was He then just a part of a consortium of opinion? Brother, I think you are going too far the other way with all this.

I certainly agree there is far too much in this day and age of the idea, as you put it;

To claim that God is constantly speaking things into your mind ...

But I do not see anyone here suggesting that and noticed you have mentioned more than once, the idea of 'constantly' speaking\\hearing.

John 14:26 is a promise directly to the Apostles who would go on to write canonical Scripture breathed by the Holy Spirit in which they recalled what the Lord Jesus said and did. This is not a promise to every believer.

What does 'breathed' mean? Think of it another way. If there is no internal dynamic, a "speaking" if you will then what is the need for the Holy Spirit, why not just the recalling of what the Lord said and did? Or just dictation from audible speaking?

Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Which voice? Audible? Interesting the way the Lord puts this isn't it? We hear His voice and [i]He[/i] knows us, not that we hear His voice and [u]we[/u] know Him. There is something more penetrating than the reverberations of the eardrums going on here.

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

What is this being "led" to mean? Do you realize the way you are presenting this is to basically extract the Holy Spirit completely, there is no need for Him to take this to the complete end you are heading.

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

How? By ignoring His audible voice? What about prayer ... ?

Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

How do you know you are born of the Spirit? Did the Lord speak to you audibly? Or just because you read and believed the scriptures ... See where this can go just the other direction, do we not have an abundance of those who have done this very thing (saying the sinners prayer for instance) and yet have no internal evidence of a changed disposition. Certainly there must be this and it is enough ... if ... what? All the other conditions are met, repentance, forsaking of sin ...

What are we to do with;

Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

"The Spirit of his Son into your hearts."

Also, I know all this talk about waiting on the Lord to tell you what to do sounds really a lot like the "old paths" and very pietistic; however, you would be suprised just how new a thing it is that this view is widely accepted by Christians.

Psa 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

With regards to the purpose/need of the Holy Spirit if the Lord is not actively speaking into our thoughts to guide us...

I would suggest a good summary verse is Ezek 36:27.. "And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."

You are right, the Spirit does have a role in comforting and allowing the believer the take hold of Scripture promises. I would suggest one of the main roles of the Holy Spirit is in sanctification (also confer Phil 2:13).

Regarding Acts 15:28... James has just reasoned from the Scripture about what should happen. As I said before, there is no mention of a whisper in their minds. However, doubtless God guided them providentially by His grace; however, it doesn't appear they all sat in silence and waited on the Lord to speak into their thoughts. The Apostle reasoned from the Scripture.

I interpret John 10:27 as speaking of the elect's response to the Gospel proclamation. The Lord seems to be speaking about the converting effect the Gospel has on the elect (sheep). As the Gospel proclamation awakens them to repent and believe, they "hear His voice". Hence, the Pharisees do not hear His voice, because they are not His sheep.

Regarding Romans 8:14 - To be led by the Spirit is to live in such a way that you bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.

Regarding Ephesians 4:30 - Do not grieve the Spirit by sinning... not by ignoring whispers in your mind.

Regarding Galatians 4:6 - Yes, the Lord renews us and gives us a heart of flesh that we love God. This is the Spirit's work. This still does not speak of the Spirit's whisperin into our minds to guide our decision making.

Regarding Psalm 27:14 - I said "waiting on the Lord to tell you what to do"... I believe the Scriptures tell us what to do and is perfectly sufficient to guide our every decision. This verse does not speak of waiting for the Lord to whisper into your mind what to do given a specific situation... I offer John Gill's exposition of the verse:

Ver. 14. Wait on the Lord,.... This, with what follows, is spoken by the psalmist either to himself or to others, or it may be to both, upon the rich experience he declares in Ps 27:13: it becomes believers to wait on the Lord for the common blessings of life, for even the eyes of all wait upon him for their daily food; and for the light of his countenance, when it is withdrawn from them, for he will return again at the set time; and for answers of prayer, which will be given sooner or later; and for the performance of his promises, which are yea and amen in Christ: they should wait upon him in his house and ordinances constantly, with reverence and godly fear; they should wait upon him as servants on their masters, observe his orders, and diligently execute them; and, as beggars for their alms, they should knock and wait at Wisdom's gates, tell their case and wait, take repulses and wait, and, when they succeed, give thanks. It is good to wait upon the Lord; many are the favours and blessings such receive now, and eye has not seen what God has prepared for them that wait for him;

------------------------

I would just ask all that follow the view that we are guided by having God whisper into our minds and hearts what to do answer this question: Is the Bible sufficient to guide you? As far as I can tell, your answer would have to be "no".

Thanks for interacting on this issue, brother. I pray that we both can learn by examining the Scripture!

Grace to you.

Hi Griffo,

This might be helpful ...

[b]Meditation[/b]

[i]"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."[/i]

In recent months, I have tried to say to God’s people, when you come across very crucial words in the Scripture, don’t turn to Webster’s dictionary for your definition. The dictionary simply gives you the most prevailing use of that term in our society. When you find a word in the Scriptures, you need to let the Scriptures tell you what that means. That is true about meditation.

The first psalm says,

[i]Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.[/i]
--Psalm 1:1-3 NIV

Scripture is wonderful, if you meditate on it. Our problem is we read without meditation. Your life will never be anchored like a tree without meditation. Some say, "I’ve read through the Bible at least once every year."Well, that’s wonderful, but your life will not be anchored by a river of living water until you stop and meditate on God’s Word.

It’s the one who meditates on God’s Word day and night who becomes like a tree planted by the rivers of water. So, you really need to know what meditating is. Now, in our generation, we talk about transcendental editation. On television we can see the stereotypical meditator, eyes closed, mumbling the same phrase over and over. That’s not biblical meditation at all.

Let me tell you my own definition of meditation. Meditation is that moment when God confronts you with the truth about Himself. It is that moment when you go into the presence of God and let God discuss it with you until you know exactly how to respond to Him, however long it takes.

The Psalms hold a wealth of truth to meditate upon, for instance, Psalm 23. When you read, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing," hopefully, you can realize that to meditate on this wonderful psalm does not mean to bring your thinking into play. It means to let God bring His understanding to you, His relationship to you. You cannot, by thinking, understand the ways of God.

By relationship, God enters your mind and your heart, and suddenly, there is an expansion from the Scripture of what it means for the Lord to be your shepherd. As you move through the psalm, you will stop at the word, "Lord." All of a sudden, if you have a great deal of Scripture that has washed over your mind and heart, those Scriptures will come back to remind you about what it means for God to be your Lord.

Whether the pain is heavy, the mind is bewildered, or the heart has been pierced, right now, He is your Lord. You could stop and say, "I’ve heard the testimony of many others who told me about how the Lord has been real to them. But, right now, Lord, you are telling me that everything You have ever been to anyone else, You are to me, now."

As you move through those thoughts, let the Lord confirm them. Let the Lord enlarge that discovery with wonderful Scriptures. As you meditate on those phrases from Psalm 1, you may suddenly sense that you are in one of the biggest storms that has ever worked itself against you, your marriage, and your family. Those verses alone may be the comfort brought to you by the Holy Spirit, whose assignment it is to teach you all things, to guide you into all truth, and to bring back to your remembrance things God has said to you.

Then your mind comes to the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Peter was a fisherman, and if there were anybody who would know the magnitude of a storm, it would be a fisherman. I grew up in a fishing village and am very, very much aware of the storms that have taken many of my friends’ fathers in the middle of the night.

It was Peter the fisherman who said, "Master! Do you not know that we perish?" And what did the Lord say? "Why is your heart so full of fear?" Jesus stood and stilled the entire storm with one word. As you meditate, the Spirit of the Lord will say, "See that? See that storm? You think you have a storm! Where is your Lord?"

The Scripture says if the Lord is in your little boat, then you are as safe as He is safe. That storm won’t take you and leave the Master in the back of the boat. If the Master’s in your little boat, in your family, in your workplace,you are as safe as He is. Then, you can sense the Master Himself saying,"Why did you let your heart grow so concerned? Let me speak a word to your situation." And, He speaks a word, and everything calms. You find yourself on the other side of the storm. I have been there. I have watched Him do it.

That is meditation. That is letting God bring you to a passage of Scripture and then Him letting you sort of sit with Him to discuss that truth about Himself and bring it home to you and your situation.

[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=category&cid=108]Henry Blackaby[/url]

Another resource that I recall now;

http://www.dwillard.org/books/HearingGod.asp

Dear brothers,

I have yet to see anyone explain straight from the Scripture that the Holy Spirit whispers into our minds what decisions we should make in a given situation.

I am not saying that there is no role of the Holy Spirit, I am just asserting the fact that the majority view of the Holy Spirit as our decision making assistant is not as warranted in the Scripture as people make it out to be.

The Spirit is alive and dwells within us... just not as our personal decision maker. The Spirit illuminates the Word, applies it to our hearts, sanctifies us, comforts us by applying Scripture promises, etc... but I find no warrant in the Bible that the Spirit tells us what to do via implanted thoughts/feelings.

As far as not holding to this view producing cold, lifeless religion; that plainly contradicts Christian history... for example: Jonathan Edwards, David Brainerd, Matthew Henry, John Gill, and a host of other saints of old.

Those who disagree, I would ask what Paul means in these verses:

16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

"That the man of God may be perfect"... that seems to say that the Scripture is sufficient enough to guide me in every decision I face.