Last week, I wrote a post that began looking at how we can grow in our ability to discern whether or not God is speaking to us.  I suggested that it begins with stepping away from the noise — which you can read about here.

So let’s say we do that — we step away , listen and then it happens.  We hear God speak.  Or at least we think we do.  “Was that God?”, we ask, or was it just one of the countless other voices vying for our attention?

There’s not a sure-fire way to answer these questions — a formula that can guarantee that we get it 100% right.  But there are some ‘filters’ Christians have used throughout the centuries to weed out the other voices.  Like a pair of noise-canceling headphones that negate the frequencies we don’t want to hear — these steps help separate the distracting noise from the voice that brings life.

Let’s start first with the filter of Scripture.

Consider the thing you think God is telling you to do and ask, “Does Scripture tell me to do it as well?”  Sometimes the answer will be clear (God is saying: reach out to extend forgiveness to your sibling.  The Scriptures agree that forgiveness is to be extended).  Other times the connection will be more gray (which is why we have other filters).  But start here.  Start with the Scriptures.

Here’s an example: you’ve been praying about whether or not to take a new job.  While you won’t find a verse in the Bible about you taking a job at ____ company, the Bible has plenty to say about all of the things that are affected by your decision.  Here’s a few to consider.  Faith: will this new job increase or decrease your relationship with God?  Will it leave time for you to stay engaged with God personally and communally?  These are questions we often don’t think about — but Jesus tells us they are the most important questions.  Relationships: how will the people in your life be impacted by this decision?  Will this new job mean you will rarely see your children — or you’ll have no time to invest in other relationships.  If so, the Scriptures have something to say about this. What about your relationship with your spouse?  Will it be bettered or worsened by the decision you make?  Giftedness: will this new job allow you to use the gifts God has given you?  Will moving to this new company provide opportunities for you to use your intellect, passions and skills more?

Of course, with this example (and with life in general), there is all kinds of nuance, but I hope you see the larger principle at play.   When you believe you’ve heard God speak, use the filter of Scripture to help you discern.  If what you’re hearing aligns with Scripture, then move on to the next filter – which is what I’ll write more about in the next few days.

Until then…keep listening.

This Sunday, after worship, I found myself in one of those conversations I absolutely love.

It had started out simple enough: how was your week?, how’s work?, etc.  But then the friend I was talking with dropped this: “The message today was a tough one for me.”

I had just preached on John 2:1-12 – the story of Jesus revealing his glory for the first time at the wedding at Cana.  Toward the end of the message I had suggested that the servants had taken Mary’s words seriously (do whatever he tells you), and it was their obedience to the voice of Jesus that was the catalyst for transformation (water to wine, as well as increased faith in the disciples).

Back to the conversation.  “The message today was a tough one for me.”

“Oh yea?  Tell me more.”

“Well…just exactly what is Jesus telling us to do?  How do we know what he’s saying to us?  I mean…can’t we all point to people who justified their actions (sometimes their terrible actions) by saying ‘God told me to ____’?    So how do we know if it is God talking to us, or just the voice in our head?”

It’s an incredibly important question, isn’t it?  Not only do we want to know what God is saying to us when we’re faced with a major life decision (what school should I send my kids to?; should I take that job?)….but I believe that hearing God’s voice is absolutely central to being a Christian.   We can’t follow Jesus unless we’re able to hear his voice.   Which is to say — the stakes are high.  So how do we do it?  How do we hear God speak, and know it’s God speaking?

Have you ever been at a big party in a small house?  The kind where everyone is standing shoulder to shoulder.  The kind where everyone is talking — no shouting — to the person next to them.  The kind where you have to work really, really hard to hear the person you’re talking to.   I am no good at parties like this because my hearing is a little suspect (it might have to do with blaring House of Pain and other awesome 90s artists while in high school…I’m not sure), and so my only hope is to step outside (literally) to continue the conversation.  It’s only when I’m away from all of the competing voices that I’m able to hear the person I want to hear.

I think this is what it can be like to try to hear God’s voice in the midst of our loud, chaotic lives.  That’s not to say that it can’t be done — in fact, I believe as we develop the skill to hear God’s voice, we’re able to hear it in any circumstance, no matter how loud.  But if we’re just getting started — if we’re just beginning to develop the ability to distinguish God’s voice from all the others — we’re probably wise to step away from the noise.

It’s interesting that this is what Jesus did.  Jesus.

He slipped out of bed early, before anyone else, to pray.  He retreated to the wilderness — to the quiet — to the stillness.

Take a moment and look back at this last week.   Were there any times when you withdrew from the noise and the chaos?  Where were your places of ‘wilderness’ — your times of quiet?

If you can’t point to any — then start to consider where and when these might be for you in the coming week.  Where could you carve out 15 minutes to be quiet and pray?  Do you need to rise early — or step away from the office at lunch?  Find a time and schedule it in (no…seriously…put it on your calendar 🙂

In the next few days, I’ll offer some thoughts on what we can do to discern whether or not it’s God’s voice we’re hearing — but before we get to that, let’s make sure that we’ve put ourselves in a position to listen.  Let’s retreat from the noise – in simple and small ways — so that we can hone in on the one voice we most need to hear.

Here are the guides for January 6-12.

Week 2 Guide

Week 2 Guide (Printer Friendly)