Jesus Speaks

1. Jesus speaks through Scripture and spiritual instincts

The voice of the Lord is like a voice, but it's not really a voice.

Scripture as God's voice. The Bible is God's speech preserved in written form. It reveals God's ways, purpose, and heart, providing a foundation for recognizing Jesus' voice. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, particularly the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, we become more attuned to His speaking.

Spiritual instincts. Jesus often communicates through our thoughts, emotions, or desires. This internal prompting, or "still small voice," is a result of our union with Christ. As believers, we have Christ's life within us, which means we have His mind, feelings, and will. The challenge is discerning when these internal promptings reflect Jesus' voice rather than our own.

• Key aspects of hearing Jesus through spiritual instincts:
  • Recognizing impulses or guided intuition
  • Following the inward promptings of the Spirit
  • Developing sensitivity to the Lord's leading

2. Hearing Jesus requires humility and a willingness to respond

Become poor in spirit. And stay poor in spirit.

Humility is essential. Jesus emphasized that the kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit. This means having a childlike humility and a desperate neediness for the Lord. Pride and self-sufficiency can mute our ears to Christ's voice.

Willingness to respond. Hearing Jesus is directly related to our readiness to act upon what we hear. If we're not willing to obey, we may struggle to recognize His voice. This requires a heart that's open to change and prepared to follow wherever He leads.

• Characteristics of a humble, responsive listener:
  • Acknowledging dependence on God
  • Maintaining an attitude of learning
  • Being open to correction and guidance
  • Promptly obeying when Jesus speaks

3. The body of Christ plays a crucial role in discerning Jesus' voice

The full mind of Christ is a corporate discovery and a corporate pursuit.

Corporate discernment. While Jesus speaks to individuals, the full mind of Christ is discovered collectively through His body, the church. There are times when we may struggle to discern the Lord's mind on our own, and we need to rely on other members of the body for clarity.

Unity in hearing. When the church comes together to seek the Lord's will, there's a synergy that can lead to clearer understanding. This principle is illustrated throughout Scripture, from the early church in Acts to Paul's letters emphasizing the importance of the body working together.

• Ways the body of Christ aids in hearing Jesus:
  • Providing confirmation or correction
  • Offering diverse perspectives and insights
  • Creating an environment of corporate seeking
  • Balancing individual impressions with collective wisdom

4. Wisdom and conscience are key channels for hearing Jesus

The Lord's speaking is often found through the voice of Wisdom, which is the voice of Jesus Himself.

Wisdom as Jesus' voice. Christ is the embodiment of God's wisdom. When we exercise godly wisdom in decision-making, we are often aligning ourselves with Jesus' voice. This wisdom isn't mere human reasoning but comes from dependence on the Lord.

Conscience as a guide. Our conscience, when aligned with Scripture and sensitive to the Holy Spirit, can be a powerful tool for discerning Jesus' voice. It serves as an internal alarm, alerting us when we're stepping out of God's will or confirming when we're in alignment with His desires.

• Characteristics of wisdom and conscience as channels for hearing Jesus:
  • Alignment with Scripture
  • Peace and life-giving quality
  • Promotion of love and unity
  • Clarity and sound judgment in decision-making

5. Recognizing Jesus' voice involves content, disposition, confidence, and impression

When the Lord speaks to us through our thoughts, emotions, or desires, what He says possesses "the ring of truth."

Content alignment. What Jesus says will always be in harmony with Scripture and reflect His nature of love, which involves giving and self-sacrifice.

Peaceful disposition. The Lord's voice comes with a spirit of peacefulness and goodwill, never with hastiness, arrogance, or anxiety.

Inner confidence. When Jesus speaks, there's often an inward witness that resonates within us, giving us faith to believe it's truly Him.

Lasting impression. The Lord's voice is often accompanied by a sense of life, peace, and inspiration. It may also provide insights that exceed our natural understanding.

• Four key aspects for recognizing Jesus' voice:
  1. Content aligns with Scripture and Jesus' nature
  2. Peaceful and gentle disposition
  3. Inner confidence or "ring of truth"
  4. Life-giving and lasting impression

6. Regular communion with Jesus sharpens our ability to hear Him

Hearing Jesus is the privilege of all His followers.

Consistent practice. Like any skill, our ability to hear Jesus improves with regular exercise. This involves cultivating a life of intimacy with Christ through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and attentiveness to His presence throughout the day.

Morning devotion. Starting the day by turning our hearts to the Lord can attune our ears to His voice. This doesn't replace ongoing communion but sets the tone for a day of listening.

• Practical ways to sharpen spiritual hearing:
  • Daily quiet time with God
  • Fellowship walks in nature
  • Worship and praise
  • Personalizing Scripture
  • Cultivating an attitude of constant listening

7. Beware of counterfeit voices and misinterpretation

It's possible to hear the Lord correctly but misinterpret what He's saying to us.

Discerning true from false. Not every spiritual impression or voice claiming to be from God is authentic. It's crucial to test what we hear against Scripture, seek confirmation from mature believers, and examine the fruit it produces.

Avoiding misinterpretation. Even when we hear Jesus correctly, we can misunderstand His message. This requires patience, seeking further clarity, and often consulting with other believers for perspective.

• Safeguards against deception and misinterpretation:
  • Alignment with Scripture
  • Confirmation from the body of Christ
  • Fruit of love, unity, and Christ-centeredness
  • Willingness to wait for clarity
  • Humility to admit uncertainty

8. Hearing Jesus may lead to challenges and personal growth

Sometimes the voice of the Lord will land you in trouble.

Cost of following. Obeying Jesus' voice often leads to personal sacrifice and challenges. It may put us at odds with the status quo or lead us into uncomfortable situations.

Growth through trials. These challenges serve to deepen our faith, refine our character, and increase our dependence on Christ. They also provide opportunities for God's power to be displayed in our weakness.

• Potential outcomes of following Jesus' voice:
  • Opposition from others
  • Personal sacrifice
  • Increased faith and intimacy with God
  • Opportunities for spiritual growth
  • Greater fruitfulness in ministry

Last updated: November 7, 2024