Recognizing God’s Voice
Hearing God – Message 4
Perry Duggar
July 2, 2023

I. Introduction: We continue our message series, Hearing God.

• 1 Kings 19:11-13

A. This morning, we will focus on Recognizing God’s Voice.

1. Job 33:14 (NLT)—For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it.
2. God communicates with us in various ways—not only an audible voice, but also through the Spirit within, the Bible, angels, godly persons, dreams and visions, as well as signs and circumstances.
3. The methods vary according to the message’s content and the identity of the recipient.
4. It seems more spectacular methods, such as a burning bush and visions, are used to gain the attention of the less mature recipients or to introduce subjects that would be resisted.
5. I think the more experienced we are at communicating with God, the more likely He is to speak through His Spirit in our inner spirit, often illuminating the Bible as we read.
6. To seek to hear God, we must believe God wants to, and attempts to, communicate with us personally—to share His plans and purpose—and His thoughts.
7. I am convinced that He does, because individualized communication is essential for us to have a personal relationship with Him, especially an intimate one.
8. The Bible shows God addressing His followers in specific, personal, ways.
9. He spoke to Elijah when the prophet was discouraged, exhausted, lonely, feeling abandoned by God and afraid for his life after a wicked queen threatened to kill him.
10. 1 Kings 19:11–13 (NLT)—¹¹ “Go out and stand before Me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. [a still small voice]
11. God demonstrated great power, but He spoke to a discouraged Elijah gently, with compassion and understanding, because He knew the prophet’s state of mind.
12. I believe, from the teaching of Scripture, that God wants to be involved in our lives, so He enables us to communicate with Him by hearing and understanding Him clearly.
13. When the Spirit speaks within, He sounds a lot like us (like speaking through a prophet).
14. How can we confirm that what we think we hear is from God; how do we sort out what is from Him and what is from us, especially when it arrives as an inner voice or impression?
15. Here are questions we can ask to confirm that a message is from God.

B. Does the message I received [in whatever form] …

1 Communicate like God? (Matthew 16:23; John 10:4; 1 John 2:16-17; 4:16)

1. John 10:4 (NLT)—“After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.” [Does it sound like God? Also, John 10:27]
2. Sheep learn their shepherd’s voice by hearing it repeatedly, gaining familiarity with it, so we must spend time in God’s Presence, learning the sound of His voice.
3. ILL.: We immediately recognize the voice of an old friend we haven’t heard for years.
4. Our recognition of God’s voice, His message, isn’t merely an auditory or intellectual exercise, it is spiritual awakening!
5. To identify God’s voice speaking to you, consider the quality (weight, impact or power), the spirit (peace, confidence, calmness, reassurance—the personality of Jesus), the content (consistent with biblical truths, different from my ideas), the tone (peace, not panic) and the nature (encouragement, not condemnation, calm joy, not alarm or fright).
6. When reflecting on what you are hearing, remember that God loves you.
7. 1 John 4:16 (NLT)—We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. [1John 4:7-10]
8. God’s communications will always be guided by His love for us, so He will provide strength and encouragement, not criticism, scorn and ridicule, pairing honesty with hope.
9. He will correct us, but His discipline is motivated by love, to keep us from danger, to drive out complacency, to urge us toward integrity, and away from hypocrisy. [Hebrews 12:5-7]
10. EX.: When God speaks to us about our sins, He is motivated by love, so He is specific and directs us to turn away from harmful habits (repent), because sin damages our lives.
11. Because of His love for us, God sent His Son to die for our sins; His wrath toward us is extinguished, He wants us to experience a life of freedom, satisfaction, peace, fulfillment.
12. God cares about spreading Good News; you might hear Him encourage you to reach out.
13. ILL.: [A man wrote] Yes! Someone (Jim) was sharing with me that their loved one (Marie) had cancer. I really didn’t know where his faith was, but I heard God say, “Pray for him.” I ignored it but kept talking to Jim. I heard God say again, “Pray for him.” I ignored God again. I heard God say for the third time, “Pray for him.” Finally, I thought, “I guess I better pray with Jim.” I asked him “Can I pray for you, Jim?” And he said yes. I walked around my work desk, put my hand on his shoulder, and prayed. He just sobbed. The next day he came back and said that he felt that prayer and that Marie did too. This led me (opened the door/opportunity) to inviting him to the Christmas program. He came. He eventually gave his life to Christ. And [he] thanks me often. If I hadn’t listened to God and prayed, he might still be living his life without Christ. I’m so glad I didn’t miss out on this one.
14. Loving God, growing to know Him personally, helps us to recognize His voice because we will become familiar with its sound and its subjects—God is concerned with our individual spiritual growth and the growth of His righteous kingdom on earth.
15. APP.: Do you know what God’s voice sounds like? You can, with practice.

Does the message I received…

2. Conflict with the Bible? (John 16:13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:11-12; 2 Timothy 3:15-17)

1. John 17:17 (NLT)—“Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your Word, which is truth.”
2. The Bible is true; it accurately reflects God’s thoughts, purpose, agenda, and standards.
3. God doesn’t change; He will never contradict His written Word, the Bible.
4. What’s right and what’s wrong are based on God’s character, recorded in the Bible, not on shifting societal standards or an unstable cultural consensus (whatever media says it is).
5. We hear, “Our society has evolved on this issue;” God hasn’t! He has no new insights.”
6. If you think you hear God say, “Go ahead, it’s ok,” about a matter the Bible forbids, you can be sure that you are listening to your own desires or a demonic source.
7. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT)—¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. ¹⁷ God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work. [No expiration date on His revelation.]
8. What God says will always be true to who He is, consistent with the truth He has given us through His Word, so whatever we think we hear from God will agree with the Bible, which will be consistent with His plan for each of us and for this world.
9. ILL.: [A person wrote] My first-time hearing God was at a prayer retreat. A pastor had invited me to go on a mission trip to Uganda. I wasn’t interested, but during my quiet time, I had a strong thought pop into my head that wouldn’t go away. “I am calling you to Uganda.” I was startled and responded by telling God that if that was truly Him, I needed confirmation. That night during group prayer, we were being silent before the Lord when one of the leaders said that he had a scripture for someone. It was Isaiah 6:8 [(NLT)— ⁸ Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”] As he read it, I began to cry because I knew that was my confirmation. The result was that I indeed went to Uganda on the short-term trip, and the Lord completely paid for it.
10. APP.: Do you make sure that perceived messages from God agree with the Bible?

Does the message I received…

3. Complement my SHAPE? (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:4-5; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 2:10)

1. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)—For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.
2. God planned a purpose for your life; He designed you specifically to fulfill that plan.
3. He created each of us physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.
4. God designed and crafted each of us for tasks He devised for us to fulfill, then He calls us to these assignments. [Psalm 139:13-16; Job 10:8-12; Jeremiah 1:4-5]
5. If you think you hear God calling you to a specific function, it should fit your shape.
6. SHAPE is an acronym for Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality and Experience.
7. Spiritual gifts are supernatural enablements; heart signifies your passion, motivations, desires, and interests; abilities refer to skills and talents; personality is your unique characteristics and qualities; and experience includes past participations of various kinds.
8. When God gives you an assignment, it should line up with the way you were formed.
9. ILL.: [A woman wrote] I had my own business that wasn’t very successful because I wasn’t fulfilled in what I was doing. I went home one afternoon and prayed, asking God what I should do. I thought about going back to school to get a better-paying job, or just searching the web for a good-paying job. I knew that my heart was working with kids, but that profession is not a very high-paying job, and I wanted to feel I was helping my family and not causing us to struggle. Just as clear as if someone had spoken directly to me, I heard in my head, “I can’t bless you if you are not in your purpose.” I found a part-time job working with kids until I could sell my business. I have been working with children ever since then, and me and my husband have also been foster parents for the last 4 years. And yes, God has not broken His promise. Though times have been hard sometimes, we have been truly blessed!
10. APP.: When you have an impression that you think is from God, ask yourself: “Is this consistent with how God has shaped me?” [Finding your PLACE in life. (Acronym: P – Personality Blends, L – Learning Spiritual Gifts, A – Ability Awareness, C – Connecting Passion, E – Experiences of Life)]
11. I don’t think God will call you to something that makes you miserable, or somewhere you can’t succeed. (Ex.: A worship leader, you will be able to play an instrument or sing.)

Does the message I received…

4. Convey wisdom? (Proverbs 2:6-7; Matthew 7:24-25; Ephesians 5:15-17; James 1:5)

1. Ephesians 5:15–17 (NLT)—¹⁵ So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. [Greek sŏphŏs, sof-os; having specialized knowledge resulting in the skill for accomplishing some purpose] … ¹⁷ Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. [Wisdom is knowing how to use knowledge; common sense]
2. Direction from God, from whatever method, will be wise; put simply it will make sense.
3. Ex.: If you think God is saying to buy a house you can’t afford, be careful, that’s not wise.
4. This doesn’t mean God will never call us into anything risky that requires faith, He will!
5. I think He calls us to places where we must rely on Him to sustain us, but some things make no sense, like moving to a third-world country with a serious medical condition.
6. You may reply, “I’m just going to trust God!”—and you should—but only if you are certain God is telling you to do it
7. God’s message will be reasonable; but there’s one caveat: He knows the future, we don’t.
8. Sometimes God’s directions seem unwise, unreasonable – until we look back!
9. EX.: Leaving a law practice that was going well after a short time.
10. APP.: When you think you have a leading from God, ask, “Is this wise? Reasonable?”

Is the message I received…

5. Confirmed by godly people? (Psalm 37:30; 1 Corinthians 12:7-8; 1Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 10:24-25)

1. Psalm 37:30 (NLT)—The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong.
2. Christianity is designed to be lived in community; we help each other hear God. [Hebrews 10]
3. We should always seek the counsel of mature Christians before making an important decision; if we refuse to ask for advice, it might be cause we know our choice is wrong.
4. Usually these advisors are people who love you and love God enough to tell you the truth, but sometimes, God will use strangers to confirm His message to you.
5. ILL.: [L. wrote] I’ve been feeling lost recently, specifically about the life choices I’ve been making and if they are the correct ones for me being they resulted in me losing a dear friendship of mine. I had been praying and asking God for signs that my decisions were made with Him in mind first and that I was on the path He wanted me to be on. I prayed for about 2 weeks before I received my answer as clear as day! I decided one day it would be good to get some sun so I wouldn’t be as pasty white (lol). I was outside in a public area just people-watching and listening to music when a sweet woman suddenly approached me, and she told me she had been praying and asked God who she needed to talk to and what message had to be delivered. She then told me, knowing nothing about my recent life events, that God wanted me to know I was on His path, and I needed to continue obeying Him! As soon as she said that it felt like I had been filled completely with the Holy Spirit!! I then told her what had been going on in my life and that I had been asking for a sign and as soon as she delivered her message, I knew I could let go of the anxiety and fear I had been clinging to because God had spoken to me through her! Karen, if you’re listening to this THANK YOU for being His messenger and faithful daughter! - LJ
6. If an idea is from God, it will make sense to a person who knows Him.
7. APP.: Always ask, “What do wise, mature, Christians who love me say about this?”

Questions for Hearing God message series: 

• Have you ever heard God speak? What did He say? What resulted? 
• Send responses to brookwoochurch.org/hearingGod.
• Cards available at Information Desk for manual responses.
• Contact Lora at [email protected] if you want yours removed. Give a bit of description.
• Memory verse: Psalm 32:8 (NLT)—The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”