Hearing God's Written Word
1. Jesus often said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Matthew 13:9) He was talking about spiritual ears - the ability to hear God's Word.
2. Jesus often spoke in parables so that those who were spiritually dull of hearing could not "get" what He was saying. But the parables are not hard to understand! They are simple stories you would think anyone could "get." The simple truths of the parables are hard to miss! But there are those who do not want to hear. They have closed their eyes and shut their ears. (see Matthew 13:15) Therefore spiritual truth is hidden from them.
3. That makes me think, "I wonder how good my spiritual hearing is. Can I hear what God is saying to me through His Word? What if God wants to tell me something, and I cannot hear it?"
4. So, I often pray, "Speak, Lord, for your servant hears." (I Samuel 3:9) And I also pray, "Open my heart to hear what you are saying to me through Your Word." I want to hear you.
5. God can speak in many ways. God uses dreams and visions to speak to people because - a picture is worth a thousand words. (That's why Jesus gave us the parables.) Sometimes we just can't "get it" unless we see a picture. God also speaks through people. A few days ago my daughter corrected my bad table manners. I took her correction as from the Lord. God speaks to you through His ministers. If they are men of God, their teaching, and preaching comes from God. They have prayed a lot before they speak. They ask God what He wants to say to His people. God speaks through the Body of Christ. God uses events to speak to people. A near car accident, for example, may be a warning from God to stop speeding. There are so many different ways in which God speaks. Often, He speaks in a still, small voice. He speaks to your heart. You may have a growing conviction about something, or you may have a pain of conscience etc. This is God speaking to your heart. You need to listen.
note: But be warned. If you think God has spoken to you through a dream, be careful. That dream is not above God's written Word. Dreams are sometimes confusing and troubling. Only God's Word is clear. There is nothing above God's the Bible. No dream, or vision, or impression, or "prophecy" can misdirect you if you get your instructions from God's Word. That is why you must know God's Word very well. Dreams do not interpret God's Word. It's the other way around. What does God's Word say?
6. The biggest way God speaks to people is directly through His written Word - the Bible. In fact, if God speaks to you in any other way - it must check with His written Word - or it is invalid. God does not contradict Himself. If what you have heard does not agree with the written Word of God - it is WRONG and you should run from it.
7. So it is a good idea to know God's written word very well - as well as you can - as soon as possible. Get into the habit of reading it daily. (If you are a new Christian, start with Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, the Gospels, and the Psalms.) The more of God's written Word you get into you, the more He can use it to speak to your heart - changing you, helping you, leading you, and guiding you.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16
8. You cannot be a man of God, or a woman of God unless you love His written Word. Whether you are a pastor, teacher, song leader, prayer warrior, counselor, evangelist, prophet, or apostle, you know the value of God's Holy Word, and you are constantly seeking to know it better. It is the Word of Life. Every Christian appreciates someone who knows God's word.
9. God's Word cuts to the heart. That is why it is so powerful.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
10. It is helpful simply to read the Bible a lot. (It's like grazing on spinach.) Then, at some time, when you are not thinking about it, the Holy Spirit will bring it back to you - and it will be exactly what you need. I cannot think how many times God has taught me, corrected me, comforted me, and lead me this way. The Holy Spirit brings it to remembrance. Paul told Timothy to give attention to simply reading the Scriptures. (I Timothy 4:13)
11. Memorizing many Bible Verses (learning them by heart), will also help you hear from God. (See previous lesson "At Jesus' Feet) It is especially helpful to memorize the promises of God. There are over 70,000 of them in the Bible.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. II Peter 1:3-4
12. The Bible says that God has magnified His written word above all His name. You have magnified Your Word above all Your name. (Psalm 138:2) Think about that. What does that mean? God's word is His honor. What He has said, He will do. God watches over His Word to perform it. God's Word is living, and life giving. It needs to become a part of you. In all the tough situations of life, the Word of God must be your guide. If you love Jesus, you must love His Word. Jesus said,
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7