Misunderstandings happen all the time. We are human and don’t always hear what is actually being said. One of the biggest hurdles in all relationships is communication. This includes our relationships with God.
I can’t always understand what other people say when they are in the same room as me. So, how can I understand what God is trying to tell me all the time? Well, unfortunately the truth is that we can’t. Sometimes we pass off our own thoughts for God’s or vice versa. We won’t get what God says right all the time, but you know what? That’s okay! You will learn what is God and what isn’t and you will get better the more you do it. Like they say, “Practice makes perfect.” Use the Bible and someone who is more mature than you to figure out what is God and what is you. We need to be able to hear God and to do that we need to learn to hear his voice and distinguish it from your thought and the thoughts the devil puts into your head.
“A voice so still and small that it is easy to dismiss as being our own thought.”
Seth Barnes (The Art Of Listening Prayer)
Another key item to listening prayer is letting God work through your thoughts. It’s hard to hear God’s voice if your thoughts are clouded with junk. We need to watch what fills our minds by following Phil. 4:8:
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Is. 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD.”
Meditate on Phil. 4:8 and Is. 55:8. Think of Listening to God like you listen to anyone else.
1. Create opportunities for God to speak. Be silent and let God speak. Practice the spiritual disciplines of solitude and meditation.
2. Focus on God. Before you get started try playing some praise and worship music to focus your attention.
3. Ask God questions. What do you want to know about or from God? Just Ask Him!
4. Acknowledge God’s response. Thank him for answering you and take notes.
5. Remember that sometimes you won’t get a response.
Ask God these questions and wait for his response.
1. Am I letting thoughts in my mind that are not of you? What are those?
2. How can I tell the difference between my voice and yours? Help me with this.
3. Have I ever thought something was of you but it was just me? Or vice versa?
4. Is there anything you want to share with me today?
