Article by: Kenneth J. Ester
Does God Speak to Us When We Listen?
There are many things the modern day church teaches that simply are not truly supported by scripture. Often these false doctrines are a product of taking scriptures and interpreting them or twisting them to mean something other than what they are meant to say. In other words, they come from people taking small segments of scripture and interpreting them on their own merits instead of reading them in context of the surrounding scriptures to get their correct meanings.
One of the most common mistakes being taught in churches today is how to hear God's voice. We are often taught to be silent and listen for God's voice or His impressions on our thoughts. The more you do this, the more you learn to recognize God's voice. Sadly, this is not actually what the Word of God teaches us.
Contrary to my usual ways, instead of writing the article myself, I have chosen to instead, leave you with a three part series of articles by Greg Koukl. After reading them for myself, I felt they were so sufficiently done that I would be wasting my time to try and replicate them in my own words.
I would advise anyone to read all three articles with an understanding mind.
www.str.org/w/does-god-whisper-part-1
www.str.org/w/does-god-whisper-part-2
www.str.org/w/does-god-whisper-part-3
In the end, there is a danger that comes from this false doctrine of listening for God to speak that I believe Greg Koukl does not really clarify enough. It is the danger of believing that our own thoughts are God's words.
Every denomination is built upon man's interpretation of scripture because they believe God guided them to the truth when the real truth is they followed their own interpretation of scripture. Today we have thousands of different denominations for that very reason. God gives to us wisdom. The Word of God tells us to ask God for wisdom. It is through wisdom we should study the Bible and learn the truth of God's Words. Not through some spiritual guidance, but through God given wisdom to know what His Word tells us.
One of the most common mistakes being taught in churches today is how to hear God's voice. We are often taught to be silent and listen for God's voice or His impressions on our thoughts. The more you do this, the more you learn to recognize God's voice. Sadly, this is not actually what the Word of God teaches us.
Contrary to my usual ways, instead of writing the article myself, I have chosen to instead, leave you with a three part series of articles by Greg Koukl. After reading them for myself, I felt they were so sufficiently done that I would be wasting my time to try and replicate them in my own words.
I would advise anyone to read all three articles with an understanding mind.
www.str.org/w/does-god-whisper-part-1
www.str.org/w/does-god-whisper-part-2
www.str.org/w/does-god-whisper-part-3
In the end, there is a danger that comes from this false doctrine of listening for God to speak that I believe Greg Koukl does not really clarify enough. It is the danger of believing that our own thoughts are God's words.
Every denomination is built upon man's interpretation of scripture because they believe God guided them to the truth when the real truth is they followed their own interpretation of scripture. Today we have thousands of different denominations for that very reason. God gives to us wisdom. The Word of God tells us to ask God for wisdom. It is through wisdom we should study the Bible and learn the truth of God's Words. Not through some spiritual guidance, but through God given wisdom to know what His Word tells us.
