Hearing God's Voice: Distinguishing His Guidance
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Journey Church! Today, we celebrated the wonderful events of the past weekend, including Camas Days and the return of our middle schoolers from camp. We also look forward to VBS next week. As we dive into week three of our series, "Asking for a Friend," we tackle the question: "How do I know I'm hearing God's voice?" This is a crucial topic because discerning God's voice from our own thoughts or the enemy's voice can be challenging.
We began by acknowledging that God speaks to us in various ways—through His Word, prayer, circumstances, and even through other people. The key is to recognize His voice, which is distinct and familiar to those who follow Him. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, assures us that His sheep know His voice and follow Him. This relationship is built on communication, and God desires to speak to each of us individually.
We explored the importance of distinguishing God's voice from other voices. God's voice brings peace, clarity, and direction, while the enemy's voice brings confusion, fear, and temptation. We must learn to filter what we hear through the lens of Scripture, godly counsel, and the peace that accompanies God's guidance.
Hearing God's voice is a process that requires time and practice. The more we immerse ourselves in His Word and spend time in prayer, the more familiar His voice becomes. Even when we miss it, God's grace is sufficient to guide us back on track.
In practical terms, we discussed four key filters to discern God's voice: it will never contradict Scripture, it will bring peace, it will be clear and concise, and it will be confirmed by godly counsel. By applying these filters, we can confidently navigate life's decisions, knowing that God is leading us.
As we close, let's posture our hearts to listen to God's voice. Take a moment to ask, "Holy Spirit, what are you saying to me right now?" and be open to His gentle whisper guiding you.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Desires to Speak to Us Individually: God wants a personal relationship with each of us, and He speaks to us in various ways, including through His Word, prayer, and circumstances. Recognizing His voice requires familiarity, which comes from spending time with Him. [39:44]
2. Distinguishing God's Voice from Other Voices: God's voice brings peace, clarity, and direction, while the enemy's voice brings confusion, fear, and temptation. Learning to filter what we hear through Scripture and godly counsel helps us discern the true voice of God. [50:38]
3. Hearing God's Voice is a Process: Familiarizing ourselves with God's voice takes time and practice. The more we immerse ourselves in His Word and prayer, the clearer His voice becomes. Even when we miss it, God's grace is sufficient to guide us back. [56:58]
4. God's Voice Brings Peace and Clarity: When God speaks, His voice is clear, direct, and brings peace. It is not confusing or vague. This peace transcends all human understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. [01:23:25]
5. The Importance of Godly Counsel: Surrounding ourselves with godly friends and mentors who can confirm God's voice is crucial. They provide wisdom and help us discern whether what we are hearing is truly from God. [01:20:43]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[35:10] - Celebrating Camas Days
[35:56] - Community Impact and Mascot
[36:27] - Middle School Camp Stories
[37:08] - Upcoming VBS
[37:43] - Series Introduction: Asking for a Friend
[38:30] - Recap of Previous Weeks
[39:11] - Today's Question: Hearing God's Voice
[40:16] - Personal Story: Discerning God's Voice
[45:18] - Jesus as the Good Shepherd
[47:01] - Different Ways God Speaks
[50:38] - Distinguishing God's Voice
[56:58] - Hearing God's Voice is a Process
[01:01:38] - Filters to Discern God's Voice
[01:23:25] - God's Voice Brings Peace
[01:32:08] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 10:3-5 (NIV): "The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice."
2. Job 33:14 (NIV): "For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it."
3. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
### Observation Questions
1. According to John 10:3-5, what are the characteristics of the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep?
2. In Job 33:14, how does Elihu describe God's communication with us?
3. What does Philippians 4:6-7 say about the result of presenting our requests to God with thanksgiving?
4. What are the four key filters mentioned in the sermon to discern God's voice? [01:01:38]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of the shepherd and sheep in John 10:3-5 help us understand the nature of hearing God's voice? [45:18]
2. What might be some reasons people struggle to perceive God's voice as described in Job 33:14? [47:01]
3. How does the peace of God, as described in Philippians 4:6-7, serve as a confirmation of hearing God's voice? [01:23:25]
4. Why is it important to surround ourselves with godly counsel when discerning God's voice, according to the sermon? [01:20:43]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt you heard God's voice. How did you discern it was from God and not from another source? [40:48]
2. What practical steps can you take to familiarize yourself more with God's voice through His Word and prayer? [56:58]
3. How can you apply the four key filters (Scripture, peace, clarity, godly counsel) in a current decision you are facing? [01:01:38]
4. Think of a situation where you experienced confusion or fear. How can you seek God's peace and clarity in similar future situations? [50:38]
5. Identify a godly mentor or friend you can turn to for counsel. How can you involve them in your process of discerning God's voice? [01:20:43]
6. How can you create a habit of asking, "Holy Spirit, what are you saying to me right now?" in your daily life? [01:33:24]
7. Reflect on the story of the pastor's decision to join Journey Church. How can you ensure that peace is a guiding factor in your major life decisions? [01:24:56]
Devotional
Day 1: God Desires a Personal Relationship with Us
God desires to speak to each of us individually, and He does so in various ways, including through His Word, prayer, and circumstances. Recognizing His voice requires familiarity, which comes from spending time with Him. This relationship is built on communication, and God desires to speak to each of us individually. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, assures us that His sheep know His voice and follow Him. This relationship is built on communication, and God desires to speak to each of us individually.
The more we immerse ourselves in His Word and spend time in prayer, the more familiar His voice becomes. Even when we miss it, God's grace is sufficient to guide us back on track. By applying these filters, we can confidently navigate life's decisions, knowing that God is leading us. [39:44]
John 10:27-28 (ESV): "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."
Reflection: How can you create more space in your daily routine to listen for God's voice? What specific steps will you take to immerse yourself in His Word and prayer this week?
Day 2: Distinguishing God's Voice from Other Voices
God's voice brings peace, clarity, and direction, while the enemy's voice brings confusion, fear, and temptation. Learning to filter what we hear through Scripture and godly counsel helps us discern the true voice of God. It is crucial to recognize the distinct characteristics of God's voice, which is always consistent with His nature and His Word.
When we are faced with decisions or challenges, we must be vigilant in discerning the source of the voices we hear. God's voice will never contradict Scripture, and it will always lead us towards peace and righteousness. By surrounding ourselves with godly counsel and immersing ourselves in Scripture, we can better distinguish God's voice from the enemy's. [50:38]
1 John 4:1 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Reflection: Think of a recent decision you had to make. How did you discern whether the guidance you received was from God or another source? What steps can you take to ensure you are filtering voices through Scripture and godly counsel?
Day 3: Hearing God's Voice is a Process
Familiarizing ourselves with God's voice takes time and practice. The more we immerse ourselves in His Word and prayer, the clearer His voice becomes. Even when we miss it, God's grace is sufficient to guide us back. Hearing God's voice is a process that requires patience and dedication.
As we grow in our relationship with God, we become more attuned to His voice. This process involves regular communication with Him and a willingness to listen and obey. God's grace is always available to us, even when we make mistakes or struggle to hear His voice. [56:58]
Hebrews 5:14 (ESV): "But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you struggled to hear God's voice. What did you learn from that experience? How can you be more intentional in practicing discernment and listening for God's voice in your daily life?
Day 4: God's Voice Brings Peace and Clarity
When God speaks, His voice is clear, direct, and brings peace. It is not confusing or vague. This peace transcends all human understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. God's voice will always lead us towards peace and clarity, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
We must learn to trust in the peace that accompanies God's guidance. This peace is a sign that we are on the right path and that God is leading us. By seeking His voice and trusting in His peace, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence and assurance. [01:23:25]
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you felt God's peace guiding you. How did that peace influence your decision-making? How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's peace and clarity in your current circumstances?
Day 5: The Importance of Godly Counsel
Surrounding ourselves with godly friends and mentors who can confirm God's voice is crucial. They provide wisdom and help us discern whether what we are hearing is truly from God. Godly counsel acts as a safeguard, ensuring that we are not led astray by our own desires or the enemy's deception.
Having a community of believers who can speak into our lives and provide godly counsel is essential for spiritual growth. These relationships help us stay accountable and provide valuable insights that align with God's Word. By seeking godly counsel, we can confidently navigate life's decisions, knowing that we are being guided by God's wisdom. [01:20:43]
Proverbs 11:14 (ESV): "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."
Reflection: Who are the godly mentors and friends in your life that you can turn to for counsel? How can you be more intentional in seeking their wisdom and guidance in your current decisions and challenges?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God's showing up, everybody. And guess what? God's using you and it's so awesome to see. So good on you, Journey. Good on God. We give God praise for that." [35:56] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God is really awesome and doing some great things. Now, next week, I mean, this is just happening so fast, back to back to back to back to back. We're like all just dead tired. But the month of August, hopefully, we get the brakes on a little bit." [37:08] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God wants to talk to you individually. He really does. He's a personal God. Just like he spoke to Moses in the burning bush. Just like he spoke to the woman at the well. Just like he spoke to the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. He wants to speak." [48:23] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God does not have a speaking problem. We often have a hearing problem. That's where the issue is." [47:43] (6 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God whispers because He's close. When you're close to somebody, you don't yell in their ear. You whisper." [01:10:52] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The more you know him. The more clearly. The more clearly you will hear from him. The longer you walk with Jesus, the easier it will be to hear his voice. I've been walking with Jesus for almost three decades now. And every year that passes, I can recognize his voice more and more. And his voice becomes clearer and clearer." [56:58] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God's voice will never contradict God's word. Okay? It's super important. Not ever. Okay? The main way that God communicates with us is through his word. If you tell me you want to hear the voice of God, but don't get into his word, then what you're really telling me is you don't want to hear the voice of God." [01:01:38] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God's voice calms, soothes, and always is looking to bring restoration. Okay. Calming, soothing, bringing restoration. When the devil speaks to you or when your inner thoughts get the best of you, it usually has to deal with accusation, it usually has to deal with obsession, with worry, with chaos, and it usually leads to frustration." [01:08:39] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God's voice is not confusing or vague. Often when God speaks, it's clear, direct, and concise, and it's not going to confuse you. Look at verse 33 from 1 Corinthians 14. For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace." [01:17:16] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God's voice, unlike the voice of the enemy, unlike your inner voice, brings peace. True peace. Peace. When things may not seem to add up, when things are kind of uncertain, when there's confusion, when you're like, man, whose voice, what is going on? How do I know? Ask yourself, do you have peace in this moment? Because God's voice is going to bring peace." [01:23:25] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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