The truth of the matter is that it may be easier to discern God’s voice or the enemy’s than it will be to discern your voice. This is especially true when what you are praying or asking God for is something you have strong feelings about.

There is a practice I learned in a prophetic class that I often use in times of wanting God’s view on a decision. 

1. Go before Him and say, “Abba, I have strong feelings about this. Please help me submit them to You and listen to Holy Spirit only.” 

2. Present your need: “I need help deciding________.” OR “I am upset about_________. What should I do?” OR it may be that someone else has presented you with their need and you don’t know how to respond to them. Ask Him–“Abba, show me Your will. What am I to share with them?”

3. Then paraphrase 2 Corinthians 10:5. “Abba, I cast down every argument, feeling and high thing that exalts itself against Your knowledge. I bring every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.” 

4. Surrender your mind, will, and emotions to Him and declare you are completely ready to hear and obey Him. “I give You my ears to hear Holy Spirit, my eyes to see what You want to show me. And I give you my mind and heart to follow Your will.” 

5. “Thank You, Abba, that You will supply all my need according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

6. I pray in the Spirit for a few minutes.

7. Then I grow silent and wait expecting an answer—don’t be in a hurry. You don’t have to strive and plead with Him. You have presented your need. You have surrendered your will and declared your full response. Know that as a believer, you are in covenant with Him and He will answer you. Rest in that.

As You Wait

Recognize God’s voice as spontaneous thoughts that come to mind.

Look for inner vision as you pray.

Write down any thoughts or pictures that come to you.

Now, if you have heard something, seen something, or have a strong feeling that you sense is God, the next step is to act on it. If you aren’t sure what to do, ask Him. If you are fairly certain it is God (it aligns with His word and His character) and there is something you can do, then act on it.

Practice is the best way to discern God’s voice from your own. Stepping out and acting on His voice when you think it’s Him gives you experience and fine-tunes your ability to hear. As you take those steps of faith, He helps you recognize His voice. It is a process of learning.

The more time you spend in the secret place meditating on His Word, with your attention on God, the easier it becomes to discern His voice from yours or the enemy’s.

If, for any reason, you don’t hear or see anything, do not fret. Instead, here is a suggestion.

Offer this prayer:

Abba, I thank You that You have heard my question (or prayer). Thank You that You are working all things together for my good. Thank You that You are never late and You have all wisdom to know when You need to speak to me. I trust You Abba and I will not make a final decision until I hear from You. Amen

If you wait a day or two and still don’t hear anything or see anything, go back and submit yourself to Him. Thank Him again for hearing your prayer and thank Him that He is working all things together for Your good. Remind Him of your trust in Him and rest in His presence. 

Be willing to wait in trust.

Believe He has your best interest at heart.

Stay in the expectation that He is leading you.

Rest in His faithfulness.

Remember, God’s ways are not our ways and He is never in a hurry, but always on time. 

I have one more suggestion. When you are approaching God with important life decisions like marriage, selling your home, buying a new home, a major move, a job change, surgery, you need to involve others who hear. Find at least a couple of friends who you know hear from God. Make sure they don’t have strong feelings about whatever the issue may be and present them with your story. Don’t tell them a lot of the details. 

Example–Let’s say it is a decision about taking a new job.

“Mary and Tricia, I have a job opportunity and I asked God about it. I believe what I heard is God’s will, but I’d like you both to pray about it. Ask Him what His will is about my job and if there is anything else I need to know. Please get back to me with what you hear by the weekend. 

Then weigh their answers. My husband and I have tried this on several issues. The people we contacted came back with some of the same information God gave us, word for word. It was the confirmation we needed to act on God’s will. 

Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.

The next time we get together we will talk about having Holy Spirit lead you through Bible Study. Reading the word with Him is always an adventure and He loves to reveal Jesus. 

Until next time, Shalom ♥