How do you know when God is speaking to you?

[bogie]

I have been hearing a lot of this God gave me this vision, and God spoke to me today jibber jabber. How does a christian know when it's God speaking to them or if it's somthing else like emotions, feelings, or even satan?

[Nikoel]

For me it's the feeling I get when I know that God has just shown me something! It's an amazing feeling (indescribable) that could not be duplicated! Although there are times when I have to question if it is another force trying to trick me... being a Christian is far from Easy.

[New_Wineskin]

I have been hearing a lot of this God gave me this vision, and God spoke to me today jibber jabber. How does a christian know when it's God speaking to them or if it's somthing else like emotions, feelings, or even satan?

Using the phrase "jibber jabber" doesn't show that you desire a genuine discussion on this .

[lovespeace]

Jibber Jabber is kinda a good word to use. God is not the God of confusion.

[StevenL]

You know when God is speaking to you when you get to know God.

[bogie]

Using the phrase "jibber jabber" doesn't show that you desire a genuine discussion on this .

That offered nothing to the conversation or to the question, so that post could have been omitted.

[daverain]

.






I have been hearing a lot of this God gave me this vision, and God spoke to me today jibber jabber.


How does a christian know when it's God speaking to them or if it's somthing else like emotions, feelings, or even satan?






1.)

IF it's -someone else- telling you that 'God gave me a vision',

then...

IT MUST BE TESTED.


2.)

IT MUST BE TESTED ANYWAYS.

(Does it line up with the bible, and the 'things of God'?)





-I- find that when GOD shows me something,

there's usually some kind of

'sign'

with it,

that VERIFIES that it couldn't have come from

my imagination.




Peace in Christ.




.

[hooverbranch]

I have been hearing a lot of this God gave me this vision, and God spoke to me today jibber jabber. How does a christian know when it's God speaking to them or if it's somthing else like emotions, feelings, or even satan?

I would say trust in the Word of God. I can not say God does not speak to people because that would be limiting his power. But there is no longer a need for such devine revelation as seen in the Old Testement days and that of the Apostles. We now have a map that is the Bible. So I would agree with the other post above this one Test it to the Bible. Never take experience over the Bible. If you believe that the scripture is God inspired as stated in 2Tim 3:16 then it must match up and not contradict scripture.

[James1979]

God speaks to me when I'm reading the bible. The word of God is like being in the presence of the God because you are spending time with God(his word)

[christosdoulos]

as you can see...it's pretty much subjective as to whether God is speaking to you or not. People really don't know..they just have a feeling.

Interestingly though I was reading in the beginning of Matthew and when you look at the dreams that Joseph has, it is clear (somehow) that they are from God for, Joseph does what is told to him (sometimes leaving in the middle of the night.)

I've struggle with this idea of God speaking to me and nowadays, it is all about feelings. Which I would completely disagree with.

[but'n'ben]

I was wondering this as well. I once heard someone say that if God asks you to do something you should do it without question...but how do we know that it's God asking us? It may be Satan? Like how did Abraham know it was God testing him? What if it had been Satan? Would Isaac have been killed because of a misunderstanding? Say a Christian has a dream in which God tells them to jump from a bridge in a test of faith...what happens if this word from God is the person's imagination?

[hooverbranch]

I was wondering this as well. I once heard someone say that if God asks you to do something you should do it without question...but how do we know that it's God asking us? It may be Satan? Like how did Abraham know it was God testing him? What if it had been Satan? Would Isaac have been killed because of a misunderstanding? Say a Christian has a dream in which God tells them to jump from a bridge in a test of faith...what happens if this word from God is the person's imagination?

Thats an easy one. All things are in Gods Will so we must trust in God. And most of all trust in his Devine Word. The Bible.

[christosdoulos]

hooverbranch, you're missing the question. True if we know w/o a doubt it is God speaking, then sure, obey Him. However, before you get to obeying what you are told, how do you know (w/o doubt) that it is God actually telling you to do it?

Think about it. As but'n'ben stated the case of Abraham. I would never think of even sacrificing a child of mine unless I knew beyond doubt and all reason that God commanded it. It had to be crystal clear that is was God.

Perhaps, God does not speak like he did then anymore, hence we have the Bible which contains enough for us.

Maybe we need to stop looking for God to speak to us and read what he had written down for us.

[hooverbranch]

hooverbranch, you're missing the question. True if we know w/o a doubt it is God speaking, then sure, obey Him. However, before you get to obeying what you are told, how do you know (w/o doubt) that it is God actually telling you to do it?

Think about it. As but'n'ben stated the case of Abraham. I would never think of even sacrificing a child of mine unless I knew beyond doubt and all reason that God commanded it. It had to be crystal clear that is was God.

Perhaps, God does not speak like he did then anymore, hence we have the Bible which contains enough for us.

Maybe we need to stop looking for God to speak to us and read what he had written down for us.

Well first off we have the Bible today so we no longer need the devine revelations that were needed in the past. Now this does not mean that God cannot speak to people because what right do I have to Limit God. But we do know God gave us His Word. So I would match whatever you believe happened up to that. If its adding to or contredicting Scripture than it is not from God.

[he_is_risen!!]

For me, I feel that the Lord has spoken to and through me. I believe it because there have been times when I feel complete peace and the words that I say don't seem like something that I would ever say. For instance I was talking to a friends and I began to give her advice and there was wisdom in what I said and I know for a fact that there is no way that I could come up with something that wise. It could only have come from Him cause I am NOT a good speaker. I guess when it happens and if your truely in touch with Him then you'll just know.

[Col]

I was wondering this as well. I once heard someone say that if God asks you to do something you should do it without question...but how do we know that it's God asking us? It may be Satan? Like how did Abraham know it was God testing him? What if it had been Satan? Would Isaac have been killed because of a misunderstanding? Say a Christian has a dream in which God tells them to jump from a bridge in a test of faith...what happens if this word from God is the person's imagination?

Good question, well asked.

I think it is like being in love. If you have to ask yourself "am I in love with so and so", then chances are that you are not, simply because you have doubts. When you really are in love, the question never enters your head, because you know.

So it is when I believe that God speaks to you. Now this isn't always verbal a booming or still small voice. Just like when you are in love, a voice doesnt't enter your head and say "you are in love", you feel it. God can "speak" to us in many ways, like actions of others, through circumstances, or happenings, you name it. However my point is that if you feel led by God then follow him. If you always trust in the Lord, He will guide your steps, even if you do occasionally take the wrong path and mistake something else for His leading.

Having said that, I would be very cautious of those who like to begin every sentence with." The Lord told me to do this...." or "God said to me such and such today ...." , because;
Empty vessels make the most sound.

[bogie]

Good question, well asked.

I think it is like being in love. If you have to ask yourself "am I in love with so and so", then chances are that you are not, simply because you have doubts. When you really are in love, the question never enters your head, because you know.

So it is when I believe that God speaks to you. Now this isn't always verbal a booming or still small voice. Just like when you are in love, a voice doesnt't enter your head and say "you are in love", you feel it. God can "speak" to us in many ways, like actions of others, through circumstances, or happenings, you name it. However my point is that if you feel led by God then follow him. If you always trust in the Lord, He will guide your steps, even if you do occasionally take the wrong path and mistake something else for His leading.

Having said that, I would be very cautious of those who like to begin every sentence with." The Lord told me to do this...." or "God said to me such and such today ...." , because;
Empty vessels make the most sound.

Awesome just awesome! I hardly every say God told me to do this or that. The bible tells me what I need to know. However hoover is right, in the fact that we can't limit God. I just am offended if someone says God told me to do this, and it clearly is not in line with the word! I could even show these people that say such things to me that its not lined up, but they would still think otherwise and pollute what the word of God truly says and even twist it.

[CWLite]

Malachi 3:6 - 6 "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.

For those who believe that the revelations of old are old and do not need to happen anymore, are dead wrong. We are in greater need than ever. Sure we have the bible, and still we are in worse shape than the early church. The reason people don't recieve these revelations is because they are limiting their relationship with God. Why would God waste His time with someone, when they will just do nothing? People recieve vision in order that they will do what the vision says. Some visions are personal, not meant for others to know about.

Because God does not change, when we have the annionting and faith of those of old, we too call call fire from heaven. We too could split the sea, walk on water, run at amazing speeds.

Matthew 19:26 - 26Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Press in and be sold out for Christ, God come near to those who are broken before Him. God loves to fix stuff.

[Rafael]

God speaks to us in life, love, and through His Word. This is what I have understood from the posts given. I think they are all true, and the quote of Col was a good one that I have found applicable many times in my experience, is the one about empty vessels being the most vocal about what God is telling them. I always figured that it would be His personal word to that person and not for anyone else to stumble over, yet I see people speak of what God tells them in a voice as if it were a prideful thing. We are told to be mindful of what we tell others and to be careful about placing stumbling blocks in front of our brothers and sisters with our mouths. Often, I see people provoke one another to envy with words instead of encouragement and love that would come from God's heart and Word.
Jesus said that He came to find the lost sheep of the house of Israel and that they would hear His voice. This makes me wonder about the many being called but few being chosen. In light of the covenant promise given to Ephraim as "fistborn of God", the head of the house of Israel, the term chosen takens on a new meaning - as not being associated to predestination that so many take it to mean, but to those who answer and continue in faith. We walk by faith, having heard and answered by our submission.

Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Jeremiah 31:9 They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

[FaithAlone]

Using the phrase "jibber jabber" doesn't show that you desire a genuine discussion on this .
Wow, saying that shows you have no respect for a new Christian who asked an honest question. I think that it is so important that you read the Bible. God can show you His will through His word. Once I heard someone say that if you want to hear the audible voice of God...read the Bible outloud : ) I think that God puts things in your life to show you His will, but if you don't know His word you can miss those signals. Prayer is important. Don't just speak to God but listen. Go hiking or get away where nothing else distracts you. Everytime I do that God shows me things that I probably would have missed otherwise.

[FaithAlone]

The Bible also says to examine everything and to test every spirit to make sure that it is from the Lord. How do you test it? The Bible will tell you if it's right or wrong. Anything that goes against scripture is never God's will.

[- DRA -]

I have been hearing a lot of this God gave me this vision, and God spoke to me today jibber jabber. How does a christian know when it's God speaking to them or if it's somthing else like emotions, feelings, or even satan?

Have you considered 2 Thess. 2:10-12? This passage helps keep things in perspective. It shows what happens when we don't have a love for truth. God will respond -- but NOT in a way that is beneficial for us. :eek:

The Christian's faith is based on God's word (Rom. 10:17). Even if an angel brings a different message than what the apostles first taught, it should be rejected (Gal. 1:8-9). :mad: Why? Satan himself can be transformed into an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). God previously spoke in many ways during the O.T. times, but now speaks through His son (Heb. 1:1-2). The Scriptures thoroughly furnish us with what we need to be a perfect or complete person (see 2 Tim. 3:16-17). :clap:

[Minger]

To me, God doesnt need to speak as say he did to the people of Israel with such like a loud voice for all to hear. Still getting there, I can more often than not differentiate His whispers and my own thoughts - His word to me always matches up with what the Bible says, and every time I follow that, it always works out for me.

[christosdoulos]

DRA, I'd have to say that I completely respect your post. I'd suggest to others out there that when you are giving advice/stating what the Bible says on a certain subject, do as DRA has done and show where you are getting your information.

My advice. Be a Berean. In Acts 17:11, Paul says that the Bereans were more noble because they took what Paul taught, and compared it with Scripture to see if what Paul was teaching coincided with Scripture.

We know Scripture to be true, experiences we do not know. Cling tightly to Scripture, and hold loosely to those experiences.

[Knight]

I have been hearing a lot of this God gave me this vision, and God spoke to me today jibber jabber. How does a christian know when it's God speaking to them or if it's somthing else like emotions, feelings, or even satan?

It's been my experience that He usually follows up with a well-placed chip shot to the back of my rather thick skull. I'm pretty sure He's using a 9-iron but I think one time it was a sand wedge. (Left quite a mark....)





Seriously, the Spirit can and does speak to us. However, it will never be in contradiction and is usually in concert with the word of God.

[christosdoulos]

Here's something to look at. Look throughout the Bible find how many times people are question whether they really had met with God or heard Him. Compare that to how many people realize they were communicating with God (or an angel at that.) From my study (so far) I have yet to find anyone that was iffy whether or not it was God (which is prevalent today, people are unsure whether or not God had spoken to them.)

Also, look at people's reaction to God talking to them (or even an angel.) Today we have this non-chalant attitude towards God. " Yeah, he talked to me the other day, he said...."

Have you know fear of the Lord?!? If the Almighty God spoke to you, you'd be pleading for Him to not take your life!

It is about time we restore this awe and fear of God that is due his name!

Fear the Lord, for he is worthy. Remember who you are and who He is.

[talitha]

Jesus said that His sheep know His voice, and they follow Him. I don't think that has changed simply because some of His words were written down and canonized by the Catholic Church. (nothing meant by that against the Catholic Church, please don't clobber me) When it's God, a revelation will edify, exhort, and/or comfort us (cf 1 Cor 14) in the Lord. It should lead us TO the Word of God (the Bible) and not AWAY from it, TO holiness and not away from it, to the fellowship of the brethren and not away from it. And here's what Jesus said concerning the communication of the Holy Spirit to the believer:

"And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

Can't get much clearer than that -- if that is what you are hearing, you are hearing God.

blessings
tal

[repoland2]

One of the things Christ WANTS us all to do more than anything, is to LOVE Him. When you LOVE someone, you communicate with them. Thus, the Lord wants us to talk to him, and the way we do that is through prayer.

With that said the idea in life, is that God give you SOMETHING to work with, a blessing, a vision, He speaks to you through the Holy Spirit in you, or speaks to you through someone else with (or even without) the Holy Spirit. Once you are given this input from the Lord, He wants you to share it back to Him because He has things to teach you. Things that only HE can answer, and no one else.

So, everything you hear, see, think, say or do, God wants you to share that with Him. If you believe you hear something from the Lord, pray and ask Him if it's from Him. I can 110% guarenteee that He will answer you in Him time, and when you are ready.

Mt 7:7 - "Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you."

If you ask for wisdom, knowlege and understanding from the Lord Jesus Christ, Guarenteed (as stated in the verse above) you SHALL recieve your answers.

[Knight]

Be cautious though of any 'new revelation'.

It should all be tested with Scripture.

[repoland2]

I know where my revelations come from, because when I receive them I am in prayer with the Lord, and I pray about them after I receive them for follow up.

Years of experience helps a lot. *smiles*

[christosdoulos]

sigh.....here we go.

Once you are given this input from the Lord, He wants you to share it back to Him because He has things to teach you. Things that only HE can answer, and no one else.

Where is this ever stated in the Bible? (Being sure you are reading the Bible in context.) I have never heard of this desire of God that he wants us to "share" this revelation with Him and that he wants us to do that because he has things he wants to teach us. <----Where is that located in the Scriptures???

If you believe you hear something from the Lord, pray and ask Him if it's from Him. I can 110% guarenteee that He will answer you in Him time, and when you are ready.

Where in the Bible are there examples of this happening where an individual thought they heard from the Lord and then prayed and sat and waited for God to say "Yup that was me?" Also, how do you then know that this "confirmation" that you "feel" you are recieving (because, granted, that is the only way you will be able to "sense" it) is from God? The truth is, you will not. And how do you attempt to go about giving out this 110% gaurantee?

If you ask for wisdom, knowlege and understanding from the Lord Jesus Christ, Guarenteed (as stated in the verse above) you SHALL recieve your answers.

Once again, one must read all scripture pertaining to a subject to understand what the Bible actually says. Reading this verse in concert with John 15:7-9 we see that we must be abiding in Christ and his words abiding in us (basically, living for Christ) then we will have whatever we ask.

**To the OP - With all this information that you are seeing be displayed in regards to your question, please take it all and compare it with what the Bible says, if it does not echo what the Bible says, then throw it away. Please, do this so that you may learn what the Bible says and so live your as the Lord teaches.

[jesus_lives4eva]

I believe if you have an intimate and a solid relationship with God you will definitely know for sure if He was revelating something to you or not.
I believe PRAYER and READING his Word is the key to all knowledge and messages from our God. I believe in visions and dreams are a real aspect of our walk with Him but you must ask God through prayer and his Word if they are from him.
I think if you have built a solid foundation within your heart with the Lord you will know if a dream or vision was from Him or not.

[christosdoulos]

but you must ask God through prayer and his Word if they are from him.


Once again...where is this taught Biblically?

I think if you have built a solid foundation within your heart with the Lord you will know if a dream or vision was from Him or not.

Once again I want to point out that what the majority of people are saying is that, "you'll just know." That is extremely subjective and I have yet to find in the Bible where it says that a person, providing they have a solid relationship with the Lord, will just know when God is speaking to him.

Just thinking about it, this idea of having a solid relationship with God in order to "hear" Him isn't always the case. For example, Paul (I realize he is an exception, but an exception none the less.)

Also (for example) I just read Acts 10:4 (the account of Cornelius) and it says this.
"And fixing his [Cournelius'] gaze upon him [an angel of the Lord] and being much alarmed he said "What is it Lord?"..." -brackets and italics added.


Paul, when encountered by the Lord "fell to the ground" (Acts 9:4)

Now I realize that not every encounter with God is as stated. However, majority of "encounters" today are this languid meeting between man and God, as if He were our buddy.

[jesus_lives4eva]

Does everything need to be taught to be learned? NO.
We have what we call FAITH. FAITH that our God can talk to us. FAITH that our God gives us visions. FAITH that our God gives us dreams into what He wants us to see and know. How could you justify a person's relationship with God? I know many of my brothers and sisters in Christ that have visions and dreams and they use these miracles to turn their lives around. I, AS A CHRISTIAN, believe God can reveal himself in many ways to us and thats through visions, dreams, spiritual encounters etc...
I for one, will not judge what God wants to do for my fellow brothers and sisters through visions and dreams. I mean, WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE them in the first place if they have seen these things. WE have no right to judge what is of God and what isn't.
Like I said, A SOLID RELATIONSHIP AND A PRAYERFUL LIFE with God can work ANY MIRACLES.
I know of a person who was a drug addict and was jailed. He was beaten when he was young and had lived a life of a criminal.
But then he was prophesied over, and was told that God will use his life for HIS purpose. He had visions and dreams after that about what God had planned for him so he was converted and gave his life to him. He STUDIED the word, He was PRAYERFUL, and he built a father son relationship with God. Now he is travelling around the world spreading His Gospel, is a wealthy man, and is a PROPHET.
Because he saw what God had planned for him, He was a changed man. HE is now a regular visitor to our church AND I thank God for sending this man, for it was God who revealed to this man what I needed to change in my life and it was for this reason my life was given to God.
AND GOD IS OUR BUDDY, That's how we should have a relationship with him. That is how I talk to him when I pray. Like he is my best friend and I trust Him with EVERYTHING in my life.
Maybe those who doubt these signs and wonders need to talk TO God like you would talk to a trusted friend.

[christosdoulos]

WE have no right to judge what is of God and what isn't.

THAT is a very unstable statement you made there. So if someone says "This is from God" just believe him? That is a grave error!

Like I said, A SOLID RELATIONSHIP AND A PRAYERFUL LIFE with God can work ANY MIRACLES

My friend...God works miracles, not us. It is not by our works that God does things. He does as he please for he is God. That is all.

And lastly, you have yet to really answer my questions about where you back up (biblically) what you are teaching.

I believe I am done here, unless you have more you would like to address.

[Telrunya]

God does not contradict himself. Check everything with scripture. I do believe that all the spiritual gifts are in effect today including prophecy. The bible give no indication that they would ever cease. Praying is not only talking to God but listening to him as well. When you feel convicted in your heart and you know it is the right thing then thats most likely the Holy Spirit within you.

1 Thessalonias 5:21 Test everything. Hold on to the good.

[Rafael]

Another thing that has come to my attention as of late, is that God speaks to us through understanding. Many of the things conjectured about a few years ago are coming into light of understanding for me now, as I continue to seek Him with all my heart, humbly knowing that even seeking is no measure compared to His grace..

[thewordcoza]

1 Corinthians 14:1-5 KJV (1) Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. (2) For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. (3) But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. (4) He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. (5) I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.


G4395; prophēteuō: From G4396; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office: - prophesy.
G4396; prophētēs: From a compound of G4253 and G5346; a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy an inspired speaker; by extension a poet: - prophet.

Strongs Bible Dictionary

[567234ta]

I have been hearing a lot of this God gave me this vision, and God spoke to me today jibber jabber. How does a christian know when it's God speaking to them or if it's somthing else like emotions, feelings, or even satan?
because you just know. i think a lot of people look for coincidences or some pattern which is normal to do

like this

. .
. .








so you see 4 dots but your mind wants to make it a box.
we always try to connect things to make sense of them.
im sure thats how superstitions have come about also.
when God speaks to you it will be clear and there will be no doubts about what you have experienced. it will change you forever. the God told me to do this and go to the store and buy this and all that is those lines trying to connect in many cases.
and the way the human mind works is that if a guy walks under a ladder and something bad happens then we shouldnt walk under the ladder.
even though the 2 things werent related.
i see a lot of Christian's doing the same thing, trying to recreate a situation that happened 2000 years ago to make something happen again.

if your dad was standing before you would you know its him? if he told you to do something you would hear him. you can be sure that you will know it that clearly. he doesnt need to whisper in the shadows to a wanting to hear ear hoping it hears something. he is there as he has always been. when did you stop hearing him?

[jan003]

**To the OP - With all this information that you are seeing be displayed in regards to your question, please take it all and compare it with what the Bible says, if it does not echo what the Bible says, then throw it away. Please, do this so that you may learn what the Bible says and so live your as the Lord teaches.

I had an experience with God that could only be God.

In a vision GOD showed me the kids that I would have. Actually, I was at the point where I didn't want to have kids, but God showed them to me and I changed my mind. :)

God gave me a detailed image of the kids I would have. It was amazing...I couldn't stop staring at them. And the vision definitely lines up with the bible says.

Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee


God is soooo amazing. :bow:

[Jillymac]

Can i just answer the very 1st post (sorry i joined so late on in the discussion)

I used to think that I was cut off from God and that i didn't hear anything from him. I thought that I was doing something wrong and that He was teaching me a lesson, patience or something. But then I learned God will speak to you when He wants to. I personally still haven't really heard "His voice" however you can get conviction in your spirit where you feel something so strongly that you know it was not just in your head. I used to think "yeah right whatever" when i heard people say this, until i felt it for myself.

My heart usually pounds very fast and comes on so suddenly and the conversation can be a very relaxed and calm chat. The last time it happened, my fiance and i were talking with our friends (who happen to be watchmen prophets) they said about finding the right person to train up in the deliverance/prophetic ministry and as soon as they said this my fiance and i simultaneously had the same heart pounding total excitement at the same time, i felt that this could either be about my fiance or the both of us. I said nothing about it and thought maybe it was just me, but i felt in my spirit that no matter what, that i was not to mention what i felt until it had first been revealed and confirmed to me.
The next day i really wanted to tell my fiance but decided to wait in case he said something to me about it. It was possibly the smallest part of the conversation from the night before but it was the biggest part playing in my mind.
He kept telling me he had things to tell me from the night before and finally told me, he said that he felt he was the one that was to be trained up and he had felt this surge of excitement - i shared that i had experienced the same thing and we both thought that the training was something very right and pretty much for the both of us. This hasn't been confirmed but we definately know that God was working in us in that conversation.

What i'm saying is you will know when God is speaking to you, whether you do in fact hear HIS VOICE or whether it's in your spirit, dreams, visions etc.
It's not jibber jabber tho, thats a bit harsh to use those words even if you are describing conversations that you dont understand.

Pray and seek God. If He has something to tell you, then He will.

[newbride02]

That offered nothing to the conversation or to the question, so that post could have been omitted.

No, I disagree....I think God could be insulted knowing you are referring to his speaking to you as mearly 'jigger jagger'

[christosdoulos]

No, I disagree....I think God could be insulted knowing you are referring to his speaking to you as mearly 'jigger jagger'


heheh..well I think the OP got it right with that statement.

[repoland2]

I remember asking my Father many years ago the same question.

You know what He always told me when I asked him? He told me that one day the Lord would open my spiritual eyes and ears to hear Him speak.

Of course, I couldn't understand what this meant, I was 13 or 15 or something like that. I will tell you this out of experience. If you ask the Lord to be able to hear His voice loud as day when He speaks, and even if He doesn't give it to you the first, second, tenth or even MILLIONTH time you pray and say "God open my eyes and ears".... I can guarentee that He will give it to you. For two reasons: 1.) Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you... and 2.) He loves you... *smiles*

Try not to mistake earthly desires for spiritual wisdom in the "Ask and ye shall receive" concept. Sometimes you can ask the Lord for something physical, but what God really wants is for us all to seek wisdom, understanding, and Him.... *hugs*

[repoland2]

And all of you who are attacking him because he said "Jibber Jabber" can stop... If you are perfect then you can cast the first stone. Show a little LOVE for this person, just as the Lord does for you....

Completely unacceptable.

[ub4me]

Ask yourself,
Does this line up with the wod of God, thats where HE SPEAKS TO YOU,
in His word, if you find witness with His Spirit in your spirit, then you will know if it is from God, He does not contradict Himself and He holds His word above His name. just as if you were taking a test on a book you read at school, you would have to refer to the book for answers, to know what the author was saying. Refer to "The Book", and you will know what "The Autor" is saying.

[repoland2]

*nod* I agree ub4me! I admit I have troubled times with this. It's not always easy. So I sympathize with everyone going through this!

[Stanfi]

I was wondering this as well. I once heard someone say that if God asks you to do something you should do it without question...but how do we know that it's God asking us? It may be Satan? Like how did Abraham know it was God testing him? What if it had been Satan? Would Isaac have been killed because of a misunderstanding? Say a Christian has a dream in which God tells them to jump from a bridge in a test of faith...what happens if this word from God is the person's imagination?


The thing to remember with Abraham is that he walked with God. I beleive he knew God intimately, and had no doubt when God was speaking with him.

However, a key element is that if you have a thought that contradicst God's word, it is not God.

[repoland2]

The thing to remember with Abraham is that he walked with God. I beleive he knew God intimately, and had no doubt when God was speaking with him.

However, a key element is that if you have a thought that contradicst God's word, it is not God.

He sure did have that relationship, and on a VERY *advanced?* personal level. Learning to hear when God speaks to you is a process every Christian goes through. I believe that Abraham sought the Lord's voice, and when he was ready, the Lord revealed Himself, and His voice to Abraham. I also believe that it took some time for Abraham to learn certain lessons before this could be accomplished.

I also agree with you, that if you have a thought or idea that goes against what is right, one that contradicts wisdom, and foregoes righteousness, then it is not of God, therefore it is not HE who is saying it.

[Highland Watchman]

I would agree with Telrunya in this... there is nowhere in Scripture that proves or shows that God has ceased speaking to HIS people. If anything, the opposite is the case. For if God is unchanging, then why would HE only speak for a short period of time, then be silent throughout all of the rest of history?

The canon of Scripture was actually put together before the Roman Catholic-Greek Orthodox divide, so the church was technically still one Body at the time. And it was not decided at the councils, but rather the councils affirmed it, for these were the recognized Scriptures all across the board, and it was revealed to them that THIS was to be the canon. And even looking at the meaning of the word canon, it means measuring rod, which would indicate its natural use... We are to use Scripture as a measuring rod of all things said, all prophecies spoken, and all that happens. If whatever is revealed contradicts what has been spoken in Scripture (as an example of what God really WOULD say), then chances are, it's false.

Some have mentioned subjective experience and a warm, fuzzy experience when they hear the voice of God, thus focussing on the loving Father aspect of God. It could be true for some cases, as peace is one of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, I cringe at that thought, as what happens during those times when you do not feel warm and fuzzy, but rather afraid, angry or frustrated (with the very things that God is telling you to say or do... consider the experiences of the Prophets for example. Of all of them, Isaiah was the ONLY one to say to God, "Okay, I'll do it" without much of a fight... and even then, he also cowered from the presence of a Holy God...). See, a potential heresy is in getting so buddy-buddy with God that we forget that God is God, the Holy Creator, and the Just Judge, who does not like sin at all... (it is also false to only focus on this other side of God as well, for God is also merciful...)

Rather, if you are to look at the personal experience for proof and affirmation, I would actually more look at the insistance and the deep conviction in the center of your being that this is the truth... and it will not go away unless you obey it or listen to it. The prophet Jeremiah describes it as "fire burning in his bones", the Psalmist describes feeling worse for not obeying the voice of God to correct the way of mockers and forsake the ways of sin, and Paul has testified on numerous occasions throughout his letters that it is the very voice of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ that he must continue in what he is doing, even though it resulted in much suffering on his part. (which, if you look at the post-biblical church history, you see more examples of this: of God moving in the hearts of certain people and revealing to them His will and His word...). But the common denominator in all of these is that deep conviction that it was God who was speaking.

Now, given that many of us live in the post-Enlightenment Western world, which denies anything Spiritual as being superstitious or loopy, and that this teaching is reflected in much of the church, I could think that this might be part of why the people are so unsure if it is God's voice speaking to them. Like, why would God speak to us in a subjective way if the only things that can be true must be proven through the Scientific method and through sensory means (whereas intuition is considered folly)... Yet, this is a false idea.

It is also a false idea that God only speaks to the super-spiritual and spiritual elite. Remember, friends, that the original disciples of Christ were not the Pharisees or Sadducees, both of whom were the elite of their time. And for further proof, consider the message of the Prophets... Defend the weak? Speak up for the widow and the orphan? Remember the outsider who dwells among you and treat him fairly? Treat one another with fairness and justice? All of this and more. And even if you'd look at where the majority of the prophets were speaking from... they were all on the outside, and often ostracised (which is actually one indication to me that there might be plausibility to the claims of one who claims themselves a prophet... No true prophet of God in Scripture was very popular, because of the nature of the message and how God commanded them to behave... something to consider...) But even if you'd look at Israel, themselves... God took them and made them into a nation, out of SLAVES in Egypt, with no identity... and yet he chooses THIS people to do HIS will, to write HIS Scripture, and to birth HIS Messiah and Saviour of the world.

Finally, I feel that I should add that anything truly spoken by God will be affirmed by external forces, with at least 2 witnesses... Most of the time, it is through various people (who are completely unrelated to one another) telling you the same thing, or the same thing in what they are saying seems to stick out to you as reminders of what God has already been telling you. Either that, or circumstances will fall into place and bring you to that one time when all seems to work out, or when it does not.

Just a few thoughts to add...