There are a lot of voices bombarding our hearts with information. Gosh, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. It is so hard to understand what’s truth — or feelings and emotions. Most of it, I think, is a mixture of it all. 

Some of these voices are helpful and educational. Some of them are just confusing and misleading. Who can we trust to speak into our lives? 

The Person I want to hear from the most is God. I am reading a great book, Hearing God by Dallas Willard. And, I just finished Priscilla Shirer’s Bible study, Discerning the Voice of God. 

I thought as I go through Hearing God, I would share some great quotes. Not only from Dallas Willard but also Priscilla Shirer.

I mean, who doesn’t need a little help in learning the skill of listening and hearing the Holy Spirit speak? 

Generally we are in God’s will whenever we are leading the kind of life he wants for us. And that leaves a lot of room for initiative on our part, which is essential: our individual initiatives are central to his will for us.

Willard, Dallas, Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God, page 13

In the most primary of senses the word of God is simply God’s speaking.

ibid. page 19

Priscilla Shirer begins her updated version of Discerning the Voice of God with obedience. She writes that it starts there.

God doesn’t speak to be heard. He speaks to be obeyed.

Priscilla Shirer, Discerning the Voice of God: How to recognize when God speaks, a quote from video teaching, week one

A surrendered heart rolls out the red carpet for God to speak.

ibid

When my momma cleared her throat or coughed in church, you can bet my head turned her direction. I know her voice. I didn’t need to see her; I am her child.

Jesus tells us that He knows us and that He is the good Shepherd. A good shepherd takes on the responsibility of ensuring his sheep know him. He does that in multi-faceted ways.

I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Jesus — John 10: 14, 27 NLT

Y’all, I’m going to throw this out there, and you catch it if it fits. The Bible tells us that if we are not watchful, we will be influenced and deceived. Paul writes to the church in Ephesus and motivates them to keep growing spiritually. With spiritual maturity (just like emotional maturity), there comes a deeper level of introspection and surrender to God. Here’s what Paul says:

{When we are no longer immature}, We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.

Ephesians 4:14 NLT, text in bracket is mine

Friend, we gotta stay prayed up, Bible-read up, and connected to truth. If not, we will be had. I’ve been had, and it hurts.

The Word of God confirms itself. Make sure what you are hearing and saying Amen to is biblical. It’s important. Our victorious life depends on it.