My wife and I rented the movie "Conversations with God" last night. We haven't watched it yet, but I was wondering if any of you guys have had conversations with God or he has spoken to you, or if it is still possible today. I got into a very heated debate with my mom about this topic, as she sees differently than me, but I would like to see scripture where God says he does or does not speak audibly anymore.
Hey Lucash
There are two that come to mind right off the bat that are New Testament examples. Paul's conversion is one. The other is found in Acts 11:9 when God spoke to Peter about ministry to Gentiles.
Although I have never heard an audible voice, I have had God speak to me VERY clearly so that it seemed almost like an audible voice.
At one point in our lives, my wife and I were serving at the church my grandfather was saved in. It was a very small church with a very large ministry to children. We often had 70 in attendance with 50 of them under the age of 18. The church relied heavily on our work among them. God began to deal with us about leaving, but we found a myriad of reasons why we should stay. One day as we were driving to church God spoke to me in such a clear voice that I would have sworn it was audible although is wasn't. It was sobering as He said, "Are you going to do what I said or not?" I made my decision at that moment and I said, "Yes sir I am." He then said, "I want you to go to ________." The next day we were sitting in the pastor's home, tearfully saying that we were leaving. What we did not know was that the church was about to experience a great upheaval that God did not want us in the middle of. And, God had another couple waiting in the wings who He told to become part of that body just as we left. Had we not obeyed, we would have missed the place where we are now.
Other times in prayer I carry on conversations with God. I guess since prayer is really communication with God, I have always taken it for granted that He wants to speak to me just like I speak to Him. Usually it is just a knowing of what He is trying to say to me that comes to me in the spirit and is manifested in my mind.
1Co 2:7-16
(7) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
(8) Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
(9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
(10) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
(11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
(12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
(13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
(14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
(15) But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
(16) For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Through His Holy Spirit dwelling in us God speaks to us. We can know the things that are in the heart of God by His Holy Spirit that dwells in us. This includes His heart and will toward us which He desires to speak to us.
I take it for granted that you know that all subjective revelation needs to be filtered through the objective Word of God.
Anyway, Yes, I would say God can and most likely does occasionally speak audibly today. He hasn't changed since the early church.
Yes, God does still speak audibly to people from time to time. I have heard Him audibly as if hearing another person speaking and also in the voice of thundering waters.
another verse
Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot." (Act 8:29 NKJ)
Although I have never heard an audible voice, I have had God speak to me VERY clearly so that it seemed almost like an audible voice.
I would guess there are many Christians who can testify to having experienced this.
I will briefly share one incident: I was at CPC and that day I had several clients who were victims of sexual abuse. This was highly unusual: we were a facility that counsels females in crises pregnancies and we also did abstinence counseling. We were not trained to counsel these type of victims. But I spoke as the Holy Spirit gave me utterance. (When ever this happens I will always forget what was said; I can never recall the counsel given after the client leaves.) And I felt assured in my Spirit that what was said was the perfect thing to say.
At the end of my shift I thought that maybe I should go to college and get a degree in counseling. Then I could set up an office somewhere and counsel these people professionally. Well...!!! The Holy Spirit spoke to me so clearly: "was I not with you when you spoke with these women?" (Yes, you were.) "Did you not think the right things were said?" (Yes, it was perfect.) "So, why do you think you need to go to college when I am with you, giving you the knowledge and wisdom to counsel these people?" (Yes, you are right.) "OK, Lord, I will not pursue this, I know you are faithful...." END OF DISCUSSION.
(I have nothing against concerned people who are called to minister to people's emotional needs professionally.)
ginnyrose
HI Lucash,
There is not s single Scripture that pronounces that God no longer speaks to His people. Not only are there countless Biblical examples of God speaking to HIs people, the Bible itself is written by those whom God spoke to. Ginnyrose's example is a perfect practical example of how God speaks to His people......Frank
Although I have never personally had the pleasure of hearing God speak audibly, I'm sure that God speaks to his children even today. He is, after all, a living God. He has spoken to me, though, in other ways (aside from scripture).
One of my most vivid memories of this was when I was feeling specially sad and depressed. I held a low-paying job, my wife had given birth two weeks before the expected date, we had no money at all to cover hospital expenses, and we had not yet purchased supplies that the baby would need when we brought him home.
It was also a gloomy and cloudy day, and I prayed to God: "Lord, do you really love me? Please show me that you love me..". Suddenly the sun broke through the clouds, and I saw, not one, but two rainbows in the sky, and I knew in my heart that God placed those rainbows there for me. I will never forget that day.
by Hiswill_i_am on 2009/9/12 8:11:12
"Yes, God does still speak audibly to people from time to time. I have heard Him audibly as if hearing another person speaking and also in the voice of thundering waters."
Me too. ..
I suppose the problem could be that it can create so much spiritual pride, and jealousy, on both ends of the stick. It is everywhere in the New Testament, and Jesus said; "He who has ears, let him hear..."
I believe that the Canon ended with Revelation, and this also could create confusion with folks. No one in their right mind would associate hearing God speak, with "IT IS WRITTEN!"
Most, but not all of the times I have heard God speak was for me, and about me. This is very personal, and just for me. Some though, has been about others, and the things to come. These are to be shared. I have often made the mistake of sharing the personal experiences, that bring others into condemnation. This is not wise, I discovered. It shuts the door of the hearts of many, as they judge you.
I find that those in a dispensational mindset are always critics, about the experience, and thereby the content. It seems to be an affront to their faith....in that God stopped this kind of stuff when John died...I suppose. We have the canon in the scriptures, and it does all the talking necessary for these days. Well, this is true, but it is also true that the Spirit and the Word agree. The Holy Spirit, THE LORD, THE SPIRIT is not mute...and he who convicts with impressions can and does most certainly convict with His voice, that men can really hear with their hearing; audibly.
With the flood of PENTECOSTAL and CHARISMATIC prophetic foolishness and the demonic, as portrayed in Todd Bentley, Joyner, the NAR, and the Elijah List heresies...[ all of them.....and more...] it is no wonder that so many are turned off to the prophetic and utterances and yes, even audible words from the Lord. This movement became a snakepit, if it wasn't always infected.
This does not nullify the gifts and callings of God, and there are those who have heard the VOICE, the small still, common voice, and the thunderous rolling voice too. It does not make them special, or in anyway more spiritual....just a part of the body. Hopefully they will serve the body in love, and humility, as we all should.
I suppose the problem could be that it can create so much spiritual pride, and jealousy, on both ends of the stick.
I agree.
Most, but not all of the times I have heard God speak was for me, and about me. This is very personal, and just for me. Some though, has been about others, and the things to come. These are to be shared. I have often made the mistake of sharing the personal experiences, that bring others into condemnation. This is not wise, I discovered. It shuts the door of the hearts of many, as they judge you.
Same here. But at the same time I've found that the hearts which were shut weren't shut by what I was lead to share. I was lead to share in order to reveal a door which was already shut. The spirit was just in need of being revealed.
With the flood of PENTECOSTAL and CHARISMATIC prophetic foolishness and the demonic, as portrayed in Todd Bentley, Joyner, the NAR, and the Elijah List heresies...[ all of them.....and more...] it is no wonder that so many are turned off to the prophetic and utterances and yes, even audible words from the Lord.
Not trying to give the enemy bragging rights, but this part of his plan sure was able to produce his intended results on a bunch of different fronts and levels at the same time. He achieved a bunch of different goals with these things, for sure.
This movement became a snakepit, if it wasn't always infected.
I wonder how many people could accept the truth of this statement, most especially the last part.......
This does not nullify the gifts and callings of God, and there are those who have heard the VOICE, the small still, common voice, and the thunderous rolling voice too. It does not make them special, or in anyway more spiritual....just a part of the body. Hopefully they will serve the body in love, and humility, as we all should.
Amen.
Great post!
lucash,
I have been thinking about your question a lot since you posted it. I shared an experience with you that was so meaningful to me. There is another I would like to share, but it is from the opposite spectrum: does the devil speak? Of course, that is a no brainer! We all know that. Yet, we usually think the devil works in more subtle ways, it is not as overt. But let me tell you a story.
I was at CPC, I had my client and her boyfriend in the counseling room with me. They were college students from a nearby university. They were a very nice looking couple. They acted very respectful. Just so very nice by all appearances. We were all relaxed and I listened to them as they told me their story. When I listen I will ask a few questions so I will know where they are in their views of life, morality. While I was listening to them, the devil spoke to me. He said, "Just look at them! they look so nice! They are young, let them have some fun! Don't be so hard on them...."
I looked at them and he was right: they were nice, very nice BUT God's word still was true and looking nice does not cancel or annul the Word of God. I said "NO! I will speak out against sin."
Later I shared this incident with other volunteers and come to find out others have experienced the same.
The devil used the eyes, got me to notice how nice these people looked - does this strategy not remind you of another incident as recorded in Genesis 3? It was exactly the same except the objects of appeal were different, the principles are the same.
Just thought I would share this...hope it can encourage someone along the line somewhere.
ginnyrose
Hi Lucash
I just wanted to bring a caution to the movie you mentioned in the original post
you said:
My wife and I rented the movie "Conversations with God" last night. We haven't watched it yet
If Im correct this movie is a new age promotion.
Promoting "all is one" etc and based on the experiences of Niel Donald Walsh.
Yes I believe God still speaks today and can speak audibly when he deems it necesary. However Im convinced that Discernment and biblical wisdom are 2 much needed characteristics of the church heading into these times.
If your interested, Warren smith and lighthouse trails can provide info on the new age and conversations with god movement.
God Bless
Tom
Twice in my 15 year walk with the Lord...there have been two times to where His spirit has spoken...it was an internal voice, sort of my own but it resounded from another place. It seemed that it was my voice but it focused such an attention on it. Can't really explain it...but that is how it happened.
I do believe we need to stay in the Word and not rely on experiences. Only a perverse generation seeks signs and wonders.
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