RECAP
In Episode 1, we discussed some obstacles to hearing God, namely, Selective Deafness, Tradition, Non listening & Wrong expectation. Today, we look at a few more obstacles
1. FAMILIARITY: Gen 28v16, Ex 3v3-5, Many have heard God they just didn’t realize it. Many people wonder if the voice they hear is actually God or just their own voice, because what they hear sounds familiar, like their own voice. When God speaks to you, He will speak in a familiar voice. It will come from within you. If you want to hear God, get comfortable with Him speaking in non-spectacular ways e.g. your thought.1kg 19v11 2 Cor 10v4 Matt 4.
2. FEAR: Exodus 20v19 If you’re going to hear the voice of God, you’re going to get acquainted with unreasonable dreaming, because God operates outside of the realm of reason. But God will speak to any human being who is prepared to take a risk and be creative. Many are afraid to hear God because they think he will lead them to a place they don’t want to go.
3. SIN: Gen 3:8 Adam & Eve were afraid because their view of God was so impaired and distorted by sin. When we sin, our fellowship with God is cut off. Ps 66 v18. Sin of any kind dulls our ability to hear God and ultimately cuts us off from God.
4. CHILDLIKENESS: Mark 10 v15. Childlikeness enhances our ability to hear God. It takes a childlike faith to hear and believe. Pablo Picaso said it takes a long while to become young again.
5. DISOBEDIENCE: Jas 1v22 The degree to which you hear, is the degree of your obedience. If u are not willing to listen to and do everything God has to say, you will not hear anything. God sees our heart and knows if you have any intention of obeying or not. His words are precious to him and he will not speak until you are ready to obey. The more you obey the more you hear God. If you are struggling to hear God, go back to the last instruction He gave you.
6. PERSPECTIVE Matt 25v14 You cannot hear God if your perception or knowledge of Him is distorted. If your view of God is distorted, so will His voice
Application Questions
1. Is my motive for asking God to Speak right, pure, sincere?
2. Am I ready to obey?
3. Am I Childlike or Childish?.
4. Did I lose my Childlikeness?
5. Am I hiding from God? What Am I hiding behind?
6. What outstanding instruction remains un obeyed in my life?