Christians often mistake their own thoughts for the voice of God. And that can be very dangerous. If the thought is not from our born-again Spirit–which is one with God’s Spirit—it is from: 1) Our carnal mind; or 2) Satan’s darkness.
God communicates with his children by running thoughts across our spirit’s channel.
“But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” 1 Corinthians 6:17
We know that God is a spirit (John 4:24) and that he speaks directly with our spirit, and then we translate it into thoughts that enter our mind and consciousness. Communication with God is Spirit-to-spirit, not brain-to-brain or mouth-to-ear, the way we communicate in the physical realm.
The Lord speaks to our spirit, not in words, but in thoughts and impressions. Then our spirit plays it back as: “I think the Lord wants me to do this or that.”
It is very rare to hear the Lord say: “do this or do that.” But he does nudge our spirit to think something or do something. And since those nudges are often full of ambiguity and uncertainty, it’s easy to mistake our own thoughts for the Lord’s leading.
Here’s an example: I am sure you, like all of us, have said or done something silly or stupid or simply wrong and then followed it up with this line: “I knew it was wrong all along and going to turn out this way.”
That’s not just 20/20 hindsight wishing for a do over. At the time, we followed our own logic or somebody else’s pressure to follow through on our decision despite the negative noise surrounding our thinking. That negative noise was God.
“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21
God’s voice gives direction. An answer. A new path. A point of clarity.
“Ask me, and I will tell you things that you don’t know and can’t find out.” Jeremiah 33:3
Watch out for the “God is silent” trap that snares us when we are certain he has not spoken to us. WRONG. The Bible clearly tells us that he PROMISES to answer. Maybe not now. Maybe not in the way we want. Be he WILL answer.
And remember this very important truth: God will NEVER contradict Scripture (John 1:1).
I know that God communicates with me by running thoughts across my spirit’s channel which is connected to his Spirit. That’s why I ask him to help me to be a good listener. To be on the watch for those thoughts and be grounded in his Word so I am discerning in my evaluation of how he is directing my life.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Are you able to distinguish God’s voice from your own?
The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn’t speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen. John 16:13
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24
