Hearing the Voice of Jesus in the Noise of the World

Who else is overcome by the cacophonous barrage of discordant voices in the world? I'm sorry to use such complex language, but the word cacophony popped into my head as I tried to figure out how to describe the sensations my spirit is feeling in the midst of all the "noise" I'm hearing. To be honest, I wasn't even sure I knew what the word meant, but when I researched it, it seemed to fit. 

As I earnestly seek to hear the voice of my Lord, it is sometimes drowned out by the din, racket, babel, screaming, whining, and yes, even cajoling, coaxing, and smooth-talking voices of the Enemy's servants -- the very definition of what a cacophony sounds like. And it is often quite apparent [to my spirit] during ministry that there are many who truly love the Lord, but who can't distinguish His voice from those sent to confuse or misguide them. And, in full confession, I am discerning how successful the Enemy has become in imitating the Lord's voice. In this time of so much division and disunity, we (I) must be sure we are hearing correctly.

As a Christian, I desire to hear my Master's voice because I know I can trust it. But how many times have you encountered fellow Christians who excitedly tell you that they have "a word" from the Lord for you, or "God told them" to tell you something He wants you to do? How can you trust that they have heard correctly ... or even heard at all? And I strongly believe that the Enemy has sowed many false prophets into the world [especially within our churches and Christian communities]. These self-proclaimed prophets have done so much damage by misleading faithful Christians down paths that are not according to the will of God for their lives. That often leads Believers to become confused, discouraged, and disheartened. So, if we aren't hearing from God, do we disregard all prophetic words that are declared to be for us?

The answer is "No"! The Holy Spirit is involved in speaking prophecy to people, and the Bible tells us, Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil [1 Thessalonians 5:19-22]. Ultimately, we need to learn to spend time with God and Jesus in order to recognize His voice through the voices of the prophets. Remember, He is our Good Shepherd. He says, I know My sheep and My sheep know Me. And He knows our names and everything about us! So, how do we get to know Him so that we can recognize Him through the ones He sends to us, and discern the ones sent by the devil? 

Like any relationship, it takes time and commitment. He reveals Himself through the Word, so we have ample opportunity to identify His character, His nature, His commandments, His leadership, and His heart. In fact, we are commanded to "Listen to Him" by God Almighty! To me, this command makes it clear that He has things to share with us, and we should be expecting to hear from Him! But somehow, we have interpreted hearing from God to simply mean He answers our prayers. But that makes it about us and what we want; our needs and desires. And this can lead to us controlling the outcome of those prayers to get what we want and convincing ourselves it's what God spoke to us in a dream, or what someone spoke that aligns with what we asked for. But that voice is more likely to be your own or the Enemy. 

I'm not saying that God doesn't speak to us in dreams or through other people, or through a spontaneous thought in your own mind. That's often how He speaks to me! For instance, that sudden, spontaneous thought will give me an answer or direction that I have been asking God about. It will be unrehearsed and unforced; in other words, it won't be something that I have analyzed and dissected beforehand, but will be clear and precise and will sound like my own thoughts, but not analytical or well-organized from prior examination.

In fact, these thoughts will sound like me, but actually be wiser, more loving, more healing, and more intentional than my mind's thoughts, which can randomly wander. I instinctively know where they come from; that it is Jesus flowing through my heart and combining with my mind to present His and the Father's will. And more often than not, this sudden, spontaneous thought will illicit a reaction in my soul -- a sense of excitement at recognizing His voice; a heartfelt conviction that I am hearing His truth, and a sense of awe or peace. And the more I train myself to get in that quiet place, the easier it has become to hear Him. 

I think that is especially true in these days of chaos and evil in the world. For Christians, there are so many voices clamoring for our attention, and it should be obvious to perceive the outright evil ones; but it can be difficult to discern the wolves in sheep's clothing, or even those with good intentions, but who are not sent by God. Our Leaders are supposed to be serving us, but it is too often readily apparent that they seek to only benefit themselves. So how do we protect ourselves and thrive in a society and culture that doesn't hear God's voice? How do we hear His voice as we try to navigate through spiritual noise in order to walk the straight and narrow path to His will for our lives?

I believe that to truly hear and recognize the Lord's voice, we must focus on Jesus's heart. How do I do that? For me, I have to make sure that I am not seeking to hear Him through my Soul -- which is focused on my mind and thoughts, my feelings, and what I hope and want to hear. I have to intentionally focus my spiritual eyes on Jesus's heart. If not, whatever I am focusing on will affect the accuracy of what I am hearing from God. Let's say you are praying about making an important decision regarding you or your family's future ... do you take the latest vaccine or not; do you leave your child in public school or home-school; how do you best serve an aging parent; or, how should you protect your family in the midst of the drums of war sounding throughout the world?

Those are all important, momentous, and consequential issues, and the answers are not going to be easy or simple. You would want to make sure you are hearing from God, and not letting your mind project your personal desire, or mistaking the voice of our Enemy for that of our Savior. You might not [and probably won't] get a complete step-by-step solution to any of those weighty questions. So what are the eyes of your heart focused on? 

May I suggest that to hear Jesus's voice we must separate ourselves from the voices of the world, which can cause us to fixate on the very things we are seeking answers for. Ask yourself these questions ... Am I fixated on my fears of a certain vaccine, or am I focused on what Jesus is telling me about them? Are my thoughts constantly weighing the pros and cons of public school vs home-schooling, or am I focused on His thoughts about what He thinks is best for my child? Am I fixated on how the problems of my aging parent are going to affect my life, or am I waiting for Jesus to reveal the way that's best for their remaining time on earth? And, finally, are the drumbeats of war so loud in our minds that nothing else occupies our thoughts and time, or are we watching to see what Jesus is saying and doing? If the answer is yes to the first part of any of these questions, then it's time to repent for having the eyes and ears of our  hearts fixed on the very things we're praying about, rather than the One we're coming to in prayer. Doesn't that make each of those issues an idol?!? 

I confess that I struggle at times, too! Our Enemy knows his time is short to carry out his plans to dominate this world, and he is unleashing every strategy and tactic he can to keep the people of this earth from entering God's Kingdom. So, we need to follow Jesus's example. Whenever He was overwhelmed by the attacks of the devil, He removed Himself to a quiet place and sought the presence of His Father. He re-quieted His soul and focused on seeing and hearing what His Father was doing and saying. He stayed focused on His Father's heart for His creation, and then acted on that; shutting out the voices that constantly tried to get him to change course from Heaven's direction. 

If our hearts are in alignment with Jesus's heart, then we will correctly hear His voice. Our soul and spirit will be at peace that we have received His will. And if our thoughts tend towards the negative and line up with the characteristics of the devil -- a desire to lie, accuse, steal, or cause conflict -- then our thoughts are being formed by demonic influence, and we will be confused, anxious, and unsettled. If we are hearing God and Jesus correctly, our thoughts will be positive and spontaneous; corresponding to the characteristics of the Holy Spirit as our Counselor, our Comforter, and the Spirit of Truth and Wisdom.

In summary, when I am praying and seeking the voice of the Lord, I try to stay  fixated and focused on His heart! That's when the spontaneous flow from His heart to my heart, mind, and spirit occurs and I hear Him! And there isn't a sweeter, more soothing voice in all the universe than the voice of the One who loves me and desires to answer my call. And it shouldn't be that hard to hear Him. It just takes practice to re-quiet and re-focus your mind, and a willingness to spend the time in learning to recognize His voice. As Jesus so often taught those who loved and followed Him, He who has an ear, let him hear ...    

John 16:13      When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the Truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.

 

Why It's Important to REALLY KNOW GOD In the Middle of This World Chaos!

I continue to be concerned about the number of Christians who seek to know God through others. By that, I mean I get a lot of questions from earnest Seekers who truly want to know how to traverse this world according to God's will. They will ask, "How do you know what to do" in a particular situation. Or, they might play the devil's advocate, and say, "How do you answer a person if they question the validity of your Biblical argument or explanation on an important issue"?

First of all, I always make it clear that no one should take my answer or position for their truth. They should study and research on their own, coming to their own conclusions according to what the Holy Spirit reveals, or what God is telling them. And there lies the essence of their struggle and their uncertainty. They don't really know God. And, please don't misunderstand ... I am not judging anyone. In fact, I continually pray for the Body of Christ that they will seek to know Him!

I am also not questioning their Salvation! These people have faith in Jesus as the Son of God, as their Lord and Savior, and as their Redeemer. They believe in Him and what He bought for them on the Cross. They trust that He has forgiven their sins, and they profess His Name out loud. It is just my opinion that too many of them don't KNOW HIM!

Why have I come to that conclusion? I believe that the Western Church (in the last few hundred years) has undergone a gradual process of transformation. We tend to seek our answers and solutions to life's problems from others [Pastor's, Church leaders, Prophets, Elders, friends in the Church, etc.) instead of going straight to the Source of everything. When you don't know that Source, then you end up asking others for their opinions and relying on whether or not you agree with their thinking. Or you depend on how these other opinions or theories make you feel. The problem is, you end up acting out of your soul (your mind, your emotions/feelings, and your free will) to choose which one you will accept as your answer. 

We need to remember that we are made in God's image, not other men's. That means we are primarily a spiritual being, not a soul being. But I honestly don't think the Body of Christ sees themselves in that manner. And if you were created as a spirit being first, and God [who is Spirit] has known you since before the foundations of the world, and before He formed you in your mother's womb, don't you think it would be wise for you to get to know Him through your spirit connection? Shouldn't that be the Being that you seek counsel from?

All that being said, don't get me wrong ... as you mature in your faith and you begin getting to really know God [which I will explain in a moment], He will send people to you that your spirit will discern are reliable and good spokesmen and women to teach and guide you into gaining more experiential knowledge about God. That means you will grow in your knowledge of God by experiencing Him and observing Him -- not by simply adopting someone else's experiences or self-knowledge. 

So, when it comes to knowing God, we must understand that there is a big difference between the "natural" man [known as a "human"] and the "spiritual" man. The best explanation I have ever heard comes from the late Dr. Myles Munroe, whom my spirit discerns knew God at a very high level. Which is why the Enemy took him, his wife, and his entire ministry team out of this world in a tragic airplane crash. Satan couldn't have him teaching the rest of us to know God. But before he died, Dr. Munroe educated so many about seeking the knowledge of God. I'd like to share one of his most profound teachings on what it means to be a human ...

He presented this question: "What is a human"? He went on to express this: "What I am about to explain to you is probably the most important discovery of your life. And it's this ... You don't have a spirit"! [Let me tell you, when I first heard him say that, I was blown away! What did he mean]? After a long pause, he continued, ... "You ARE a spirit! But you live in a dirt body. God carved your body from the dust. So your body is 100% dirt. That is why when you leave your body, we dump it back into the dirt. Whether your dirt is dark, light, yellow, red, or brown, it's nothing but dirt. So don't ever measure your worth by your dirt. A human is a spirit being in a dirt body. Let me explain how this works ... the word humus is the word for dirt. Humus is dirt! Man is different! Man is the spirit being. The Hebrew word for "Man" is ISH. So in the Book of Genesis when God said, 'Let Us make man', He used the word ISH... 'Let Us create (ISH) in our image'; that is, as a Spirit being. So you are a spirit. Man is a Spirit being -- his body is humus [dirt]... 'then God took the man and put him in the dirt [the humus]'. So, you then became known as a humus man. We don't write it with the two words, but we put the two words together, dropping the middle syllable, and become a HUMAN". 

Dr. Munroe went on: "So, when you use the term human, it is not a simple term; it means a combination of a spirit and a dirt body. So, when God created the Human race, He put the spirit being in the dirt body. Then God said, 'Let them have dominion over the earth'. Them who? Humans! What is a Human? A spirit in a dirt body. [And this is very important that you understand] ... The only being that has a legal right on the earth to function [to fulfill or operate for a specific purpose, given by God] to dominate the earth, is a spirit in a dirt body! 

God's Word can never change! So here is the mystery ... Any spirit without a dirt body is illegal on earth!! Now that is why you don't understand the Bible too well. Because if you don't understand this concept, the Bible will not make sense to you; including the incarnation of Jesus Christ". Thank you, Dr. Munroe, for giving us your wisdom! [SIDE NOTE: Did you get that? A spirit without a dirt body is a demon, and they do not have any legal authority or dominion on the earth. Jesus showed us that when He came the first time, and cast them out of the people they were tormenting. But they are always looking for a body to occupy. SO, if a person willingly invites them in, that is a legal transaction, and can lead to possession. It's important that you know that, and understand the legal and spiritual mechanics of God's supernatural laws. 

Now that I hope you have a greater understanding of who you are, I also hope that you are eager to seek to know Him at a higher level. And how do you get to know someone? You spend time with them; engage in conversations with them; ask genuine questions; stay present with them; be honest; actively listen to hear what they have to say. God is no different! He wants you to spend time with Him; whether reading His Word or just talking to Him. If you put in the time and effort,  He will show you who He is and what He is like. That's called Revelation, and why I'm always talking about "connecting the dots" in the Bible. If I just read the Bible, consecutive chapter after consecutive chapter, and never seek more revelation by letting the Holy Spirit point me to another substantiating verse that paints a bigger picture of what God is trying to convey to me, I will never gain more knowledge at a higher level. It takes time and effort; a willingness and a desire to know Him deeper and more authentically!        

I can hear some of you asking, "But how do I know I am hearing His voice"? If you are truly spending time in honest conversations and serious discussions, then you will receive the answers you are seeking. The way I describe how my conversations with God go, it's like this: the answer I get is either my own voice, which I should easily recognize because it's just repeating what I've been saying to myself -- or it's the devil's voice, which should be easy to discern because the answer will be wicked,  unrighteous, or leading you away from the answer you're seeking; and sound nothing like what you or God would say -- OR it will be a thought and answer that is new to you, and gives you the answer that solves your dilemma. The more time you spend with Him, the more obvious it will be that you're hearing from Him! Remember, Jesus said, My sheep hear My Voice. I know them, and they follow Me.   That's not just a cute euphemism; it is meant to be taken literally.

And notice that Jesus says, I know them. In order to be considered a true friendship and relationship, it takes two parties, each of whom knows the other... two Spirit beings who are connected by hearts and experiences in this world. Jesus already knows you -- He created you! So, if our Father in Heaven chooses to delay Jesus's return for awhile longer [according to His will and timetable], then it will become more important than ever for you to KNOW Jesus -- to hear His voice and receive instructions on how to navigate the times we are living in. 

Jesus modeled that for us. He lived as a Human (a Spirit being in a dirt body) in tumultuous and dangerous times, but He knew the Father -- He spent time with Him; talked to Him; the Scriptures had been revealed to Him; and He asked the Father what to say and do, and then followed what He heard and what was shown to Him. That is why He was able to carry out His assignment and purpose. He didn't rely on his own knowledge. Nor did He only rely on the opinions of others. He went to God, and through the experiential knowledge He gained in their relationship, He knew what to do and how to take dominion in His life and on the earth. We've been given that same opportunity and ability. It's up to each of us. How important is it to you?  IT'S TIME TO KNOW OUR GOD!  

1 John 4:6.    We [who teach God's Word] are from God [energized by the Holy Spirit], and whoever knows God [through personal experience] listens to us [and has a deeper understanding of Him]. Whoever is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know [without any doubt] the spirit of truth [motivated by God] and the spirit of error [motivated by Satan].