WHO CAN HEAR GOD'S VOICE
Surely God's children can hear Him, right? Did you ever have your mother or father say to you, “Listen up!” or "Helloooooo, look at me! I am trying to speak to you!” God does not have a problem with His angels hearing Him. I have heard that in heaven, anything Jesus or the Father says should be done, is promptly and joyously fulfilled! Here on earth, with us though, it is another case!
Jesus said it many times during His ministry on earth, that if they “had an ear to hear” or “if they could hear,” to “hear” then! And through John in the book of Revelation, Jesus said it in each of the seven letters to the seven churches. Here is one of those times.
Jesus is saying if we have "an ear" to "hear Him," then "listen" to what He is saying to His churches, individually and corporately.
John the Revelator, also wrote this in his first book,
Here we can clearly see, that those who do not believe in the Father and Jesus, cannot hear Him because they are not His. And that those who are His sheep, who believe in the Father and the Son, can hear Him and even follow Him. Many only hear the last of what He says here, but He is explaining both elements, that there are those who are “not of God” and “cannot believe or hear Him” versus those who are His sheep, who are “of God” and “believe, hear and follow Him.”
John records Jesus saying it also, in this famous excerpt:
Jesus is very clear and poignant, in that “those who are rejecting God, cannot hear or understand...” In other words, by rejecting God, their reasoning and understanding are impaired. Matthew records this:
From this verse in Matthew, we can easily see that “reasoning and understanding” are affected for the better so that people who are hungry for God, can find Him. Sadly, those whose hearts have “grown dull” (hard-hearted from resisting Him) are dull of hearing affecting their reasoning and understanding.
On the positive side, Jeremiah records:
On the negative side, consider this from the previous quote in Matthew:
“They” close their own eyes and ears (in essence, their hearts) because they want to stay in the dark. They do not want healing. They want to have it their own way at all cost.
Matthew, preciously quoted, repeated:
Jesus is talking about a person's moral comprehension and reasoning. That according to a person's relationship with God, their ability to discern right and wrong are effected, for better or worse. This applies to Jesus' parables here and even more.
At this point, even the disciples had hard hearts, for they did not really understand what had just happened with the multiplication of the loaves! Jesus had called them out to be His disciples, they had chosen to follow Him, they had witnessed miracle after miracle and even gathered the fragments that were more than the beginning and still... had “understanding and reasoning trouble.”
Two chapters later, in the Mark chapter 8, we can still find that the disciples were struggling. How similar is this to us at times? Consider what the Lord said through Jeremiah in the Old Testament.
And as we see in Jeremiah and later similarly in Acts, it is true for all generations!
Peter essentially says the same thing and to the descendants of the same people Jeremiah had prophesied to!
This next section of Scripture is classic. It explains how people become "morally debased."
From here we can learn so much. One of the warning signs of spiritual trouble is not being thankful to God, not giving Him the glory and respect He deserves. Continuing on such a path can lead to utter corruption. "Professing themselves to be wise they became fools." How much of so-called science today, has no foundation and tons of other so-called data are based upon it? Only truth stands on truth. True science is founded on truth. So when more information is discovered, it builds something firm.
The verses in Romans chapter 1, truly show what happens when people reject God. In the next area we will look at, we will consider more about the condition of the heart.
Some years ago, I found myself in a dilemma. I believe the Word of God, the Bible, is 100% true. And I found that in the case of the Pharaoh in Egypt, I saw "the Lord hardening the Pharaoh’s heart" and also "the Pharaoh hardening his own heart." It appeared to be some kind of contraindication and while I trusted the Bible, I could not understand why it said it both ways.
Here are two verses for "the Pharaoh hardening his own heart," followed by two verses "of the Lord hardening it."
So I called upon the Lord for understanding. And it was not long before I got the answer. The Lord used a preacher by the name of Charles Capps, to help shine some light on the matter for me.
The gentleman put it something like this: If you have a ball of clay and a ball of wax, and you set them out in the hot sun, what will happen? The clay will harden and the wax will soften. So who did the hardening or softening? The clay by its own substance, hardened and likewise, the wax softened itself. The same sun shined on both in the same manner. Can you also not say, that the sun hardened the clay and softened the wax?
In this teaching, is great understanding for the way misfortunes and even the blessings, effect people in life. For two people can endure the same hardship or blessing, and one will come closer to the Lord through it and one will go further from Him. Does the Lord cause it or the person?
It is possible to say “both!” The Lord allowed something to happen and the person by the nature of their heart toward God, chooses to draw closer or further away.
In such manner, does “one person learn and grow” while another “one refuses to learn and does not grow in goodness or wisdom.” Someone once said, “that the instant we decide to disobey God, is the instant we start to hold hands with stupid.”
This verse is exactly what is happening today. As people reject God and His laws, they are given over to delusion. The case in point in 2 Thessalonians, has to do with the antichrist, the lawless one, but this has been the way it works since mankind was expelled from the Garden of Eden. If we want the truth, we will find it. But if we reject the truth for something delusional, then delusion is what we will find.
The heart of one who is open to God, is open to acquiring knowledge.
A person who rebels against God, against the working of God, means against the Holy Spirit, and is literally turning away their ear from the hearing of the law, and in so doing, are opening themselves up to delusion.
So, I propose: Do you ever wonder how someone can be blind to something you can see? Do you ever wonder why masses of people can vote in something ungodly or utterly stupid? Are you amazed at how people find Creation in Genesis so hard to believe, but they can swallow the lies of evolution? Do you ever wonder why, you can point someone to Jesus Christ and it fall on deaf ears?
Perhaps it is not only you or your wisdom they are rejecting. Perhaps first they have rejected the truth of God because they wanted to stay in the dark. Light is great to a person who wants to see. But not everyone wants the light.
Before we ever become believers, if we are open to the Lord, we will hear Him. The more we hear Him and receive His voice (direction and promptings), then the more we will grow in moral reasoning and understanding. Those who love darkness more than light, those who refuse the truth, cannot hear the Lord. And if they continue refusing Him, they will lose even more moral reasoning and understanding.
So, how does anyone become “born again” when one cannot hear? By the condition of the heart. When a person starts to want to turn from their self-rule and toward God, they will start to be able to hear the Holy Spirit. As a matter of fact, without the Holy Spirit, no one can even come to God.
Jesus really explained it when He said this:
This is true for anyone, as we see recorded in James.
The Lord will not turn away someone who He is drawing unto Himself. When a person is ready to turn to God, the Holy Spirit is always with them, to direct them to the Lord, to reveal what needs to be known and make being a child of God possible. Like Jesus, the Holy Spirit is “God with us.” He is our Comforter, Teacher and Guide. He is the “dunamis” power of God with us!
Why do people who are “resisting God” make poor choices? Because they resist the Holy Spirit, His wisdom & His counsel.
How can people that “know God” have good reasoning? Because His children are open to wisdom and to learn! The Holy Spirit is leading and teaching God's children!
Jesus said it many times during His ministry on earth, that if they “had an ear to hear” or “if they could hear,” to “hear” then! And through John in the book of Revelation, Jesus said it in each of the seven letters to the seven churches. Here is one of those times.
- Revelation 2:7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Jesus is saying if we have "an ear" to "hear Him," then "listen" to what He is saying to His churches, individually and corporately.
John the Revelator, also wrote this in his first book,
- John 10:24-27 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."
Here we can clearly see, that those who do not believe in the Father and Jesus, cannot hear Him because they are not His. And that those who are His sheep, who believe in the Father and the Son, can hear Him and even follow Him. Many only hear the last of what He says here, but He is explaining both elements, that there are those who are “not of God” and “cannot believe or hear Him” versus those who are His sheep, who are “of God” and “believe, hear and follow Him.”
John records Jesus saying it also, in this famous excerpt:
- John 8:42-47 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."
Jesus is very clear and poignant, in that “those who are rejecting God, cannot hear or understand...” In other words, by rejecting God, their reasoning and understanding are impaired. Matthew records this:
- Matthew 13:10-16 And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.' "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear..."
From this verse in Matthew, we can easily see that “reasoning and understanding” are affected for the better so that people who are hungry for God, can find Him. Sadly, those whose hearts have “grown dull” (hard-hearted from resisting Him) are dull of hearing affecting their reasoning and understanding.
On the positive side, Jeremiah records:
- Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."
On the negative side, consider this from the previous quote in Matthew:
- "And their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them."
“They” close their own eyes and ears (in essence, their hearts) because they want to stay in the dark. They do not want healing. They want to have it their own way at all cost.
Matthew, preciously quoted, repeated:
- "For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."
Jesus is talking about a person's moral comprehension and reasoning. That according to a person's relationship with God, their ability to discern right and wrong are effected, for better or worse. This applies to Jesus' parables here and even more.
- Mark 6:49-52 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.
At this point, even the disciples had hard hearts, for they did not really understand what had just happened with the multiplication of the loaves! Jesus had called them out to be His disciples, they had chosen to follow Him, they had witnessed miracle after miracle and even gathered the fragments that were more than the beginning and still... had “understanding and reasoning trouble.”
- Mark 8:13-21 And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. Then He charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have no bread." But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?" They said to Him, "Twelve." "Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?" And they said, "Seven." So He said to them, "How is it you do not understand?"
Two chapters later, in the Mark chapter 8, we can still find that the disciples were struggling. How similar is this to us at times? Consider what the Lord said through Jeremiah in the Old Testament.
- Jeremiah 6:10 "To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Indeed their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot give heed. Behold, the word of the Lord is a reproach to them; they have no delight in it."
And as we see in Jeremiah and later similarly in Acts, it is true for all generations!
- Acts 7:51 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you."
Peter essentially says the same thing and to the descendants of the same people Jeremiah had prophesied to!
This next section of Scripture is classic. It explains how people become "morally debased."
- Romans 1:20-28 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting..."
From here we can learn so much. One of the warning signs of spiritual trouble is not being thankful to God, not giving Him the glory and respect He deserves. Continuing on such a path can lead to utter corruption. "Professing themselves to be wise they became fools." How much of so-called science today, has no foundation and tons of other so-called data are based upon it? Only truth stands on truth. True science is founded on truth. So when more information is discovered, it builds something firm.
The verses in Romans chapter 1, truly show what happens when people reject God. In the next area we will look at, we will consider more about the condition of the heart.
Some years ago, I found myself in a dilemma. I believe the Word of God, the Bible, is 100% true. And I found that in the case of the Pharaoh in Egypt, I saw "the Lord hardening the Pharaoh’s heart" and also "the Pharaoh hardening his own heart." It appeared to be some kind of contraindication and while I trusted the Bible, I could not understand why it said it both ways.
Here are two verses for "the Pharaoh hardening his own heart," followed by two verses "of the Lord hardening it."
- Exodus 8:15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the Lord had said.
- Exodus 8:31-32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go.
- Exodus 9:12 But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses.
- Exodus 10:20 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go.
So I called upon the Lord for understanding. And it was not long before I got the answer. The Lord used a preacher by the name of Charles Capps, to help shine some light on the matter for me.
The gentleman put it something like this: If you have a ball of clay and a ball of wax, and you set them out in the hot sun, what will happen? The clay will harden and the wax will soften. So who did the hardening or softening? The clay by its own substance, hardened and likewise, the wax softened itself. The same sun shined on both in the same manner. Can you also not say, that the sun hardened the clay and softened the wax?
In this teaching, is great understanding for the way misfortunes and even the blessings, effect people in life. For two people can endure the same hardship or blessing, and one will come closer to the Lord through it and one will go further from Him. Does the Lord cause it or the person?
It is possible to say “both!” The Lord allowed something to happen and the person by the nature of their heart toward God, chooses to draw closer or further away.
In such manner, does “one person learn and grow” while another “one refuses to learn and does not grow in goodness or wisdom.” Someone once said, “that the instant we decide to disobey God, is the instant we start to hold hands with stupid.”
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
This verse is exactly what is happening today. As people reject God and His laws, they are given over to delusion. The case in point in 2 Thessalonians, has to do with the antichrist, the lawless one, but this has been the way it works since mankind was expelled from the Garden of Eden. If we want the truth, we will find it. But if we reject the truth for something delusional, then delusion is what we will find.
- Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
The heart of one who is open to God, is open to acquiring knowledge.
- Proverbs 28:9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
A person who rebels against God, against the working of God, means against the Holy Spirit, and is literally turning away their ear from the hearing of the law, and in so doing, are opening themselves up to delusion.
- Ezekiel 3:4-10 Then He said to me: "Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them. For you are not sent to a people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, but to the house of Israel, not to many people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, had I sent you to them, they would have listened to you. But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted. Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads. Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house." Moreover He said to me: "Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears."
So, I propose: Do you ever wonder how someone can be blind to something you can see? Do you ever wonder why masses of people can vote in something ungodly or utterly stupid? Are you amazed at how people find Creation in Genesis so hard to believe, but they can swallow the lies of evolution? Do you ever wonder why, you can point someone to Jesus Christ and it fall on deaf ears?
Perhaps it is not only you or your wisdom they are rejecting. Perhaps first they have rejected the truth of God because they wanted to stay in the dark. Light is great to a person who wants to see. But not everyone wants the light.
- John 3:17-21 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."
Before we ever become believers, if we are open to the Lord, we will hear Him. The more we hear Him and receive His voice (direction and promptings), then the more we will grow in moral reasoning and understanding. Those who love darkness more than light, those who refuse the truth, cannot hear the Lord. And if they continue refusing Him, they will lose even more moral reasoning and understanding.
So, how does anyone become “born again” when one cannot hear? By the condition of the heart. When a person starts to want to turn from their self-rule and toward God, they will start to be able to hear the Holy Spirit. As a matter of fact, without the Holy Spirit, no one can even come to God.
- John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day."
- Matthew 22:14 "And “many are called, but few are chosen."
Jesus really explained it when He said this:
- John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain"
This is true for anyone, as we see recorded in James.
- James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
The Lord will not turn away someone who He is drawing unto Himself. When a person is ready to turn to God, the Holy Spirit is always with them, to direct them to the Lord, to reveal what needs to be known and make being a child of God possible. Like Jesus, the Holy Spirit is “God with us.” He is our Comforter, Teacher and Guide. He is the “dunamis” power of God with us!
Why do people who are “resisting God” make poor choices? Because they resist the Holy Spirit, His wisdom & His counsel.
How can people that “know God” have good reasoning? Because His children are open to wisdom and to learn! The Holy Spirit is leading and teaching God's children!
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Oftentimes, the enemy convinces people that "God does not still speak to people." Or that something is wrong with them, that they cannot hear the Lord. The truth is, God speaks through His Word, His Spirit, through circumstances, signs, wonders and yes, as a still small voice we hear in our hearts. He even speaks through "unctions with feel in our hearts." If you hear His direction inside you, telling your right from wrong, then you are hearing His voice. There is an article link below, that truly can help in learning to hear God's voice. |
Copyright © 2014 E. Cockrell. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
LINKED ARTICLE
HOW TO HEAR GOD'S VOICE
The Lord's voice can be heard by those who are ready to listen.
HEARING GOD'S VOICE - BIBLE VERSES
God never stopped to speak, teach, council and guide those who are taking time to listen His voice.
OTHER ARTICLES ABOUT COMMITMENT AND SPIRITUAL MATURITY
ABRAHAM'S FAITH WAS ACCOUNTED AS RIGHTEOUSNESS
What was true for Abraham can be true for us too.
ABRAHAM'S FAITH WAS ACCOUNTED AS RIGHTEOUSNESS - BIBLE VERSES
Verses on this subject, for study and analysis.
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Understanding the importance and impact of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - BIBLE VERSES
Bible verses about the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
BIBLICAL WATER BAPTISM
The water baptism is a commandment of Jesus Christ.
BIBLICAL WATER BAPTISM - BIBLE VERSES
Bible verses about water baptism for thought and analysis.
BY YOUR PATIENCE POSSESS YOUR SOULS
The importance of patience in our christian walk, and how much it changes our lives for the good.
COMMUNION, THE LORD'S SUPPER
Realizing the freedom, joy & benefits in taking Communion.
FORGIVENESS: WHY DOES JESUS COMMAND US TO FORGIVE?
Realizing the power & importance of forgiveness versus the power & damage of unforgiveness.
GOD WILL NEVER FORSAKE HIS CHILDREN
It is up to us to remain in Him, He will never give up on those who love and obey Him!
GOD WILL NEVER FORSAKE HIS CHILDREN - BIBLE VERSES
Verses on this subject, for study and analysis.
HOW TO KEEP JESUS AS LORD
In God's Word we have all the instructions we need to live right and keep our salvation to the end.
IT WOULD BE HARD TO KICK AGAINST THE GOADS
Once we know that God's will is for us to repent and make Jesus Lord over our lives, the time that our ignorance was allowed, comes to an end.
PRAYER: WHY PRAY?
What does the Bible teach us about prayer and communication with God?
PRAYER-BIBLE VERSES
Verses on this subject, for study and analysis.
THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD
What does it take to see the power of the word of God, working in believer's lives?
THE GRACE OF GOD - UNMERITED FAVOR
What does the Bible say about God's grace and its attributes?
THE GRACE OF GOD - UNMERITED FAVOR - BIBLE VERSES
Bible Verses about God's grace for study and meditation.
WHEN THE ANSWER TO OUR PRAYER DOES NOT COME AS WE ASKED
Every Christian must deal with these thoughts at some time or another.
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