Hearing God part 1 – An Introduction

Much is said about hearing God. But what is meant by this? Perhaps I could write it instead like this: “hearing” God. But that seems to devalue it, somehow, and indeed, I recoil from that.

Maybe this is a way to understand it: It is as if we have two sets of ears. The first are the ones that are obviously seen on the sides of our heads. Even these we must learn to use. Every single infant, aside from those born unable to hear, must learn to listen. To distinguish sound and tone, to make sense of the cacophony that assails them. This is not a quick process, it takes time, concentration and investment. The development of the child is dependent on the involvement and deliberate engagement of others, if this is neglected at this critical time, the child, and the adult into which they will unfold, are irrevocably damaged.

But we have another set of ears, perhaps one could say they are the ears of our soul. These ears too are presented with a cacophony of sound, and yet we far too easily ignore them. The difference is that the window of development does not close. Age is no barrier, but perhaps the effort involved is no less. Just as we learn to hear with the ears on our head, so too, we need to learn to listen with the ears of our soul.

So when I speak of hearing God, I speak of hearing him with those ears. Though certainly, they are no less real, the words no less significant.

An Audible Voice?

Hearing God speak with the two ears on the side of your head (or what is termed an “audible voice”) is an extremely rare occurrence. It does happen, there are a few examples in the Bible of this exact thing. Furthermore, many individuals throughout history have said they too have heard an audible voice. But, it is not the norm. And even for those who have heard the audible voice of God, it is a rare occurrence. Perhaps only occurring once, or twice, in their lives. Therefore, I do not think it is helpful to assume that is how God will or should speak to us.

Discernment

As we learn to use the ears of our soul, we become better and better at distinguishing the voices that speak to us. At least personally, I always have a degree of uncertainty that, maybe, I have heard wrong. History abounds with people who claimed they heard the word of God and then did terrible things. And one can only say that whatever voice they listened to it certainly wasn’t the voice of the Lord. Yet their failings are not reasons to make no attempt. Instead, they serve as warnings to tread carefully, to walk slowly, with humility, and to always assume the posture of a student.

There are tools we must make use of if we are to learn to hear with clarity and to protect us on this journey.

First and foremost, we must steep ourselves in scripture. The words of the Bible are the story of God’s dealings with his people, of his words to them, and the record of the life of The Word, Jesus Christ himself. God never changes, his words do not contradict, so what he says will always line up with what is recorded.

Secondly, we have been made to live in community, as the people of God, and so his community should act as a sounding board, keeping us from wandering; protecting, nurturing and encouraging us on this journey.

And finally, we learn by actually doing this. We to learn to listen by making space, by asking God to speak, by waiting, and then by acting on what he says.

Faith

While I am scared to get it wrong, to act on what I think God has said and find that I am mistaken. And even though I seek to employ each of these tools, there is always an element of risk. I guess that is the life of faith. And as frightened as I am of getting it wrong, I am more afraid of hearing God and failing to act, of grieving and quenching the Spirit.

This is just the beginning of a discussion on hearing God, and there is so much more that can be and should be said, for now, I will leave it here, with the intention that we will return to this topic soon.

Lord, we long to know you, to commune with you, to not merely speak at you but to be in dialogue with you. Please teach us how to do this. May we be people who are formed and transformed by your presence and your voice. Amen

How about you? Is this new for you or familiar territory? Are you, too afraid to get this wrong? How have you learnt to hear God?

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