Confirmation
I’m advocating listening prayer—conversations with God in which we both talk and hear. My growing zeal for this is based on the simple fact that without two-way communication, a truly personal relationship with God is out of the question. After all, how can I have a deep, meaningful relationship with anyone—including God—if I am the only one talking?
Yet for many of us struggling believers, hearing God—Spirit to spirit and not only through Scripture—seems subjective and risky. And caution is warranted, because obviously it is possible to hear wrongly.
I am wary. My fear of trusting the wrong voice keeps me from even hoping to hear from God. But eventually, my “cautious” position means that my only alternative was to “lean on my own understanding.” Clearly, there is great danger in that! Meanwhile, Jn. 10:27 assures that I could know the Shepherd’s voice and distinguish it from other voices (see also vv. 3-5,14-16).
But that’s not all. Because my walk with God really is a relationship, can I be sure that my good and loving Father understands my desire to make sure I’m listening to Him—and only Him? Can I be certain that He is willing to help? This what I am hoping.
In the Old Testament, believers regularly took steps to verify if they were hearing from God correctly. When Ahaz had trouble knowing whether a message was truly from the Lord, the Lord even invited him to seek confirmation (Is. 7:10-17). Similarly, God gave Abraham, Moses, Gideon, and others what they needed to discern the messages He’d spoken to them.
In the New Testament, God not only invites, but commands His children to test what we hear: “Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good” (1 Thess. 5:20-21; see also 1 Jn. 4:1).
So when I’m not sure I’m hearing accurately, I simply ask, “Lord, is that You? Will You please confirm Your word to me and protect me from myself and other misleading voices?” And He does.
In my latest experiences, He will nearly bend over backwards to give me the reassurance I need to hear Him with confidence.
As a post-Pentecost believer indwelt with the Spirit of God, I don’t ask for a “sign” like Old Testament believers sometimes did. But I do ask for confirmation and let God determine how to give it.
How might He give me—and you—the discernment we desire? I’ve heard many testimonies, all delightfully different. God is personal; He’ll give each of His children what he or she uniquely needs to be confident. But He will do it.
The Lord is a good Shepherd; He wants His sheep to know His voice. So when you think you’re hearing from God, don’t be afraid—confirm it!
(a restatement of Cynthia Bezek's essay)
Yet for many of us struggling believers, hearing God—Spirit to spirit and not only through Scripture—seems subjective and risky. And caution is warranted, because obviously it is possible to hear wrongly.
I am wary. My fear of trusting the wrong voice keeps me from even hoping to hear from God. But eventually, my “cautious” position means that my only alternative was to “lean on my own understanding.” Clearly, there is great danger in that! Meanwhile, Jn. 10:27 assures that I could know the Shepherd’s voice and distinguish it from other voices (see also vv. 3-5,14-16).
But that’s not all. Because my walk with God really is a relationship, can I be sure that my good and loving Father understands my desire to make sure I’m listening to Him—and only Him? Can I be certain that He is willing to help? This what I am hoping.
In the Old Testament, believers regularly took steps to verify if they were hearing from God correctly. When Ahaz had trouble knowing whether a message was truly from the Lord, the Lord even invited him to seek confirmation (Is. 7:10-17). Similarly, God gave Abraham, Moses, Gideon, and others what they needed to discern the messages He’d spoken to them.
In the New Testament, God not only invites, but commands His children to test what we hear: “Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good” (1 Thess. 5:20-21; see also 1 Jn. 4:1).
So when I’m not sure I’m hearing accurately, I simply ask, “Lord, is that You? Will You please confirm Your word to me and protect me from myself and other misleading voices?” And He does.
In my latest experiences, He will nearly bend over backwards to give me the reassurance I need to hear Him with confidence.
As a post-Pentecost believer indwelt with the Spirit of God, I don’t ask for a “sign” like Old Testament believers sometimes did. But I do ask for confirmation and let God determine how to give it.
How might He give me—and you—the discernment we desire? I’ve heard many testimonies, all delightfully different. God is personal; He’ll give each of His children what he or she uniquely needs to be confident. But He will do it.
The Lord is a good Shepherd; He wants His sheep to know His voice. So when you think you’re hearing from God, don’t be afraid—confirm it!
(a restatement of Cynthia Bezek's essay)
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