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.
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?
