Does God Verbally Speak to Me?

Ask Pastor John
Episode: 386

[andrewortiz]

i was so down and depressed and lost in addiction and i heard God call me by my name, it seemed audbile but it was in my Spirit but it seemed very very audible... also i became Still and God spoke to my spirit and heart and i heard "I AM WITH YOU"
it was God because ever since THAT happened, my life drastically changed and i now have Peace and Joy and growing Fruits Of The Spirit... and God also speaks to me thru His Word!!

[Izthefaithful]

I'd be stinken lost without Jesus
Well I was actually until He called me out of darkness
The Bible is so awesome

[savvyt]

I also share his excitement when he said " i love the bible"

[germaan]

God communicates with me through the bible, through his spirit, through people and through circumstances, but primarily through the bible

[RealAustinMartin]

I found this unhelpful. I affirm and agree with everything Pastor John said - including the severe danger that craving for signs presents - but in my own ministry I have found that the deeper I dig into God's revealed word, the more I am attended by His Spirit though my days, and with this I hear His voice: clearly, distinctly, often in the very form and precise wording of the sacred scriptures.

It's personal, and I make no claim to prophet-hood; I usually don't share anything spoken to me unless compelled or instructed to do so explicitly, and even then I will not magnify myself by claiming that "God says this or that, " as so many like to do in charismatic congregations. But neither can I deny that the source is the Spirit.

I would be lying to say that I wasn't sure if He has spoken to me - He is no mute idol who cannot speak or act; He is the living God who hears and speaks. What's more - I didn't ask for it or seek it as if a sign. In fact, when I first began to hear His voice, I was uncertain and unbelieving, but I tested the Word He sent against the written Word, over and over, and found Him true and consistent. In each case of doubt or question as to the nature of His voice and Spirit He has powerfully vindicated Himself, even giving me comfort in the outcomes of intense affliction, persecutions, and loss before they happen so that I would not be overwhelmed with grief. His voice gives me even greater comfort and confidence in the written Word, but not in myself. He convicts me and directs me, bringing to mind what the scriptures say and teach in a given situation, sometimes saying things from scripture that I have never seen or understood before.

This question (I assume) is from someone who is either beginning to experience or has heard from someone experiencing something similar. There is great danger in thinking that hearing His voice is superior revelation to the revealed Word - but if it is His voice, He will certainly preempt this very danger by exhorting you to seek Him in His written Word.

There are so few (if any) balanced teachers on this subject. Most discourage and despise prophetic utterance and divine guidance, and can only see danger in the possibility of the excesses of misguided charismatics and apostates who make similar claims. However the written Word tells us that we should expect to hear regularly from the Holy Spirit, perhaps not all in the same way - and perhaps not normally as an audible voice (more often it is a still, small, unmistakable voice in my spirit).

I think we get so caught up worrying about the possibility of deception that we sometimes fail to trust the Holy Spirit when He speaks - as I have met several others who share this experience by suppress it for fear of being shamed and accused of deception.

I think we risk watering down verses like Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:25, Mark 13:11, Galatians 5:18, Isaiah 59:21, John 16:13, Colossians 1:9-10, 23, 25-28, 1st Corinthians 12:7-11, 2nd Corinthians 2:14-17, 3:1-10, 1st Corinthians 2:7-16 (a very explicit verse) and many others.

Please know that I am in NO WAY advocating extra-biblical revelation, particularly not in an authoritative sense - as even the verified instances of new testament prophecies were not even considered scripture, even though they are mentioned in the text as prophecy and clearly were apprehended of God by the Holy Spirit. However I think there is a greater danger in denying the leading of the Holy Spirit than in seeking that same guidance from Christ who dwells in the hearts of all who belong to Him. May His Spirit speak deeply to yours each day, brothers and sisters.

[preservativetalkradio]

Superb approach. He did not take the position of some that God has ceased to speak to us personally, on particular situations, questions, for wisdom, etc., but he emphasized the vastly important obligation to know what God has already said on the everything. He affirmed that God retains and exercises His prerogative to speak.

[iggy]

Agreeing with Piper's stance on the Scriptures as final authority, I nevertheless feel He could have emphasised how God DOES speak to Christians outside the Bible, be it not audibly. For example, you often hear John Piper say things like "I was praying about this question and I really felt like I should talk about xyz." So my impression is that Piper believes God does speak back to us in prayer, i.e. God speaks to the inner man, and prayer is a dialogue. Do you not think so?

[winder]

God actually speaks audibly (He did to ME)... when I got saved, my heart had stopped beating --- and I was quite relieved... I was sure I was dead and going to heaven. I said aloud, with what I thought was my last breath "Well, God... I guess --- here I come!" But He had other plans... He was right there, immediately (though I could not see Him). He said "Wasn't there something you wanted to do?" There sure was*... the Lord Jesus Christ is amazing.

The next day, He asked me another question. "What do you want?" I knew the answer... "Lord, your healing heart." He placed that blazing (brighter than the sun!) heart in my right hand with HIS hands (which glow like molten copper!) and I was healed... no more heart disease. God is so good. And now to pass on that love... and heal the world. (my fondest wish) Peace!

[mary-lynpineda]

10yrs ago I heard God literally and that's when I became Christian.

[runsontrails]

I love Dr. Piper. I thank him for clarifying the truth of the word. I had a college theology class with him many years ago. Fired up describes him.

[justpeachy]

I guess I want to hear God directly because I've made really dumb choices in the past and I don't want to do that again.

[garygearhart]

After getting the set apart spirit also known as the Holy Spirit, i heard a vocal voice and was in awe. It had me look again at John 16:13 which says that the helper speaks not of himself, only that which he hears. Not often does he speak but sometimes. I know this it has always been a good message or warning to not go there, or when i was getting anointing oil. Or where to go heal someone sick. He will communicate through the word, other people, circumstances and the Holy Spirit. Bless all of you that seek the spirit of truth. Luke 11:13. Its so true. Best move of my life. Do it and see after a couple weeks or maybe two months you will see him but the world see's him not. He is a part of your Father, if you are a true believer. Holy Spirit is not with evil or unbelievers. The way to tell if someone has got the true spirit they have fruit of the spirit=Love, Peace, Joy, Kindness, Faithfulness, goodness, self control, forebearing. The spirit will help in alot of ways. My best friend the Savior a chance, Eternal Life is the goal and goes without saying, but he is the INHERITANCE

[savvyt]

Thank you so much!!! Truly i tell you, there is nothing better out there than the word of God. Nothing better out there than the presence of Jesus. Oh, there is nothing out there better than the love of God. Surely, there is nothing worth comparing to the peace of God. All in all, you haven't lived until you are born again.

[ihavetubes]

God can speak to us like this but its very rare. God wants us to have faith in his word the bible and if you do hear something. Compare what you heard to the Biblical truths in Gods word, if they both match up your Good :)

[JasmineSwann]

This was great. I believe God speaks to me, but most of the time, I'm not asking something of Him. I just want His company and to chat with Him.

Some of us have reached the conclusion that we just aren't wise enough to go through this life making decisions without God. With that, we may ask for God to shut a door if He doesn't want us to walk through it. That could be considered a sign, and I don't think there's anything wrong with asking God to do that.

The reality is, we can't open our Bibles to find the scriptures that say don't take that job, or don't move to that city, or move to that city instead, or don't go out on a date with that person. I don't see anything wrong with asking God to help us make personal decisions that can't be found in the Bible. For example, regarding dating, we can find scriptures that tell us what type of person we are to date, however the reality is we can only see what they show us and God can see much more. So, I certainly believe that we can ask the Holy Spirit to tell us what to do based on what He sees in the Spirit Realm.

John 14:22 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

I believe that sometimes, Jesus manifests himself by giving us specific direction regarding our personal lives.

[antcross]

I wasn't really a Christian i was a lukewarm one.But one day I started noticing these signs like i seen job written on a pencil.I got more signs I believe they lead me to God who will use me for something great I walk this path still with fire in me to see what God has for me.When I do something for God I ask if this is right and i usually get a bible verse as answer amen to God.

[mikeag]

Honest question not intending dissent: Does God really not want us seeking signs from him, or is that taken a bit out of context? Jesus was saying "a wicked and perverse generation seeks a sign", but He was speaking to the hard hearted religious elite that wanted to refute Him as 'the Mashiach' because they were expecting someone else a little more to their liking. I definitely agree the Word of God is the living breathing double edged sword of the mouth of our King. Every word is useful for good teaching and states only truth; but what about things are neutral? Example: There is someone that is Biblically a wonderful very godly woman (that's what originally attracted me to her) that if I had strictly based my decisions on the Bible there would be nothing against her. That being said, I had the feeling and other things pointed to that I should not persue this wonderful person I care very much for. Even after a lot of prayer and asking other godly people advice and received none. I prayed again for some indication (signs) once again and particularly dejected I started to fall asleep. I was awoken with a start to the words "don't get married" it was neither a male nor female voice that spoke to me. It was strange but what I needed to confirm the feeling that I had. To top it all off, my recommended content on YT and sermon I next listened to was all on paitently waiting on God's plan. I sure hope this was a correct and not misguided heeding. Although I deeply wish I had Gods phone number, I know He usually speaks through His perfect Word and the spirit. But I still wonder. It wasn't what I expected Gods voice to be but then again I'm not sure what I was expecting Him to sound like. I'm hoping Pastor John you can provide a little bit of insight to this. Thank you sir. TGBTG.

[MrAlanKendall]

In Mark 2:8 Jesus followed his conscience. In Acts 23:1 Paul followed his conscience. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul tells the early church to imitate him as he imitated Christ. In Romans 8:14, Paul says that believers are to be led of the Holy Spirit, not of ministers, not of elders. In Romans 8:16 the Holy Spirit bears witness with our consciences.

Here is the secret. If you meditate in the scriptures and practice the scriptures, your conscience becomes a better and better guide. 10% of the time the revelation is spectacular, I have a vision, or God talks to me or Angels talk to me in audible voices. 90% of the time, it is non-spectacular and the revelation appears in my spirit.

If you do not meditate in the Bible and practice it, you will easily be led of Demons that immitate God and Angels. Many have been led astray. If you read the Gospels, you will reject 90% of false doctrines immediately. You will immediately say, but Jesus said ... and reject false doctrines.

I have known in my conscience when I as about to be laid off and to get my skills current. I have only collected 3 weeks of unemployment in 40 years.

If you associate with the world, you conscience will be contaminated and become a poor guide (2 Corinthians 7:1). You must meditate in the Bible, and practice it for your conscience to become a good guide.

God wants to give you wisdom and He wants to give you wisdom in Abundance (James 1:5).

[TheCreepypro]

let us listen to you Lord whether you speak verbally to us or not

[blakeparker]

Pray for my heart to be aligned to Gods