There is one thing that God always requires from us. The requirement is to hear voice of the Lord. People who believe in God are marked by this characteristics that they hear God’s voice. The primary requirement is hearing God’s voice.
Now question is How God speaks? How to hear His voice?
Some means of Hearing from God
1. Reading scriptures. A Bible verse may suddenly impact you.
2. Hearing during prayer and praises
3. Hearing an audible voice
4. Hearing message from teaching.
5. Hearing from other believer.
6. Through spiritual gifts- Prophesy, word of wisdom, word of knowledge
We should be humble and wise to share what God told you about others.
Sometimes we may get everything wrong.
Or maybe we heard rightly but had the wrong interpretation.
Or maybe we only got things partially right.
So instead of saying “thus says the Lord!” instead we can say, “I think I heard from God something, what do you think about this?”
Prophecy is meant to encourage, build up, for warning or correction (1 Cor. 14). The warning is not judgment itself but it gives us a chance to repent.
Word of knowledge– Something already true about others, but you did not know before.
Word of wisdom: specific understanding, knowledge to handle a situation.
Discernment of spirits: understanding kind of spirit
Interpretation of tongues: prophesy may come through this also
7. Through dreams. You need to know how to interpret it.
8. Through visions. You need to know how to interpret it.
9. Through circumstances. You need to know how to interpret it.
Obedience to God: God wants us to obey his voice. Without obedience we cannot continue with God.
Why Obedience to God Is Important?
1. Obedience is Love towards God
In Jesus Christ we find the perfect model of obedience. As his disciples, we follow Christ’s example as well as his commands. Our motivation for obedience is love
John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments”.
2. God Rewards Obedience: God blesses and rewards obedience:
James 1:22 –25 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
3. Obedience Is an Act of willing to give ourselves:
Romans 12:1-2
4. Obedience to God Demonstrates Our Faith
1 John 2:3–6 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
5. Obedience Is Better than Sacrifice
1 Samuel 15:22–23 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”
