From the time when he walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, our God has been a God who communicates by different ways and means. Some examples of this from the Bible include:
- Through Scripture (Ps 119, 2 Tim 3:15,16)
- Face to face (Gn 3:8-19)
- With an audible voice (1 Sa 3:1-14)
- Via the prophets (eg Jeremiah)
- In dreams and interpretations (eg Joseph, Daniel)
- Through visions (Ezk 1, Acts 10:9-16)
- Through Jesus Christ (Heb 1:2)
- Via the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2)
- Through other Christians (Gal 2:11-14)
However, when faced with a crucial decision, God can suddenly seem to go silent. But the Good Shepherd who says that his sheep listen to his voice[1] is still speaking, and could be heard if only we pulled the wool plugs out of our ears.
God spoke to his people at different times and in different ways and nowhere are we given the idea that he has stopped communicating. But what of the disasters, of which we can all name a few? For example, a few years ago I was certain I knew whom God meant me to marry. I even had scriptures to back it up. Suffice it to say I am still single! If we believe God speaks, how are we to avoid going off-track?
The basics
God is unchanging and almighty and has been leading his people for many years. We can trust him!
- Jesus is the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through him.[2]
- We have been given the Holy Spirit to guide us.[3]
- The Bible is a sure revelation to guide us. We are not listening in a vacuum but come to God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The methods
1. God's Word.
In Scripture we find our biggest safeguard. God speaks to us through the Bible and the more familiar we are with its words and the principles it teaches, the more we will be able to apply God's truths to our lives. Anything we believe God is saying that is not explicitly written in the Bible must be tested against it. Is it the kind of thing God would say? The God who hates lies will not direct us to cheat in exams, nor will the God who detests immorality say it is okay for you to sleep with your boyfriend, even if it 'feels right'. No 'guidance' should contradict a specific teaching of Scripture.
2. Prayer.
We need to be actively seeking God and asking for his guidance if we want to receive from him. At times it may be appropriate to fast in order to hear his voice more clearly.
3. Humility/teachability.
God teaches the humble his ways: 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.'[4]
4. Other Christians.
By discussing God's guidance with other Christians who are more spiritually mature, we can draw on their experience and save ourselves a lot of grief.[5] We also have a responsibility to rebuke our brothers and sisters in love if they are going astray,[6] and we may end up on the receiving end of this! Look at Paul tackling Peter over the legalism issue: Peter was more influenced by peer pressure than by God, so Paul helped sort him out.[7]
5. Circumstances.
If you are trying to do something that you feel is right but every door is blocked, you may need to reconsider. Equally, an open door may well be a sign of God's provision. For example, Paul was clearly stopped from going into Bithynia because God was preparing a better opportunity in nearby Macedonia.[8] Notice though that he kept moving till further direction came. Opposition, however, does not automatically mean that we should change direction - William Wilberforce battled for years in Parliament to have slave trading outlawed, and was not put off by many setbacks. It may take the counsel of other believers to help us decide in a particular case what God is saying.
6. Consistency.
Is the message staying the same? If it seems that God is telling you to marry one person one week and someone else the next there is obviously a problem! If it's something important, expect God to be speaking to you before someone else comes and tells you what to do. My grandmother's reply to someone who said that God had told him he was to marry her was, 'Well, he hasn't told me yet!' Needless to say, that man isn't my grandfather!
7. Common sense.
We have God-given brains and he expects us to use them. We are called to love him with all our heart and soul and mind.[9] Sometimes he will guide outside this and do something that seems strange, but when he does we can expect him to make it very clear, eg with Peter's vision in Acts 10:9-16.
When I started driving I couldn't go in a straight line. It was nerve-wracking for my parents, but they persevered with teaching me. Gradually, I learnt to look ahead of me as well as being aware of my surroundings and eventually passed my test. Similarly, hearing God's voice is a learning process. Our heavenly Father is patient, and a good instructor. He has given us the Bible, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to lead us into relationship with him. But what sort of relationship is there if we are the only ones talking? He too has things to say and we must be willing and expecting to hear him.
What about the £50? I don't recommend it as a way to seek guidance, but in his mercy God sometimes answers immature prayers. He looks at our hearts and when he sees that our desire is to know and obey him more he helps us. Some doors he opens, like the trip to Hong Kong, others he closes, like the wrong marriage, yet the one thing we can depend on is his faithfulness. When we set our hearts to seek him, to know him, and to do his will he will not fail us, but will faithfully speak, guide and protect.
