Here is my rendition based on five points out of a ten point outline from the book "How To Listen To God" by Charles Stanley. The outline is a list of things he believes hinders people from hearing God.
1. Not Knowing God
It is imperative to know scripture, to know what God's will is. He will not say anything that contradicts his own word. When Satan throws fiery arrows, arrows of lies, doubts and defeating words, will you know where they are coming from, or how to defend yourself. Lack of the knowledge of Gods word can limit your ability to decipher the message you are hearing. God has given His Spirit to help and guide us, speak a short prayer before reading the Bible asking the Holy Spirit to guide you and help you understand His word.
Knowledge alone is not everything. If you do not know the Father on a personal level, you will not understand much of what He is saying, and where He is coming from. Many people know volumes about Him, but know nothing about being His friend, or a son or daughter. Everything in the Bible brings greater depth when you know you are His child, and that He works all things together for our good, and His glory.
2. Identity Crisis
This is significant in hearing God, and one of the most important things in life as a whole. People who don't know who they are struggle for a lifetime, and think very little of themselves, thinking less of what they are capable of achieving. After Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness Satan came to tempt him, and he attacked his identity. Jesus combated with the word, tying this with the first point, along with a confidence in who He was. Jesus knew who He was because He knew the scriptures and because He spent hours and nights with God his Father in prayer. If your are a follower of Christ you have that same Father, go to Him.
3. Clouded Conscious
If there is valid reason to feel guilty, get it right before God; 1 john 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." If you have already been cleansed and still feel in inadequate you may have a false sense of guilt. Possibly coming from a past hurt that is still not healed. There is no quick fix, it takes time, but allow God to begin to heal you, try to put aside what you think and find out what He says in His word. Ive seen God breakthrough and do more than any secular psychiatrist, and in much less time.
4. Be Still
I know impossible right, everything is instant and constant, and right in your face. Though you cannot abandon all your responsibilities maybe some of you could drop a few hobbies. After all hearing from the one who determines your destiny is infinitely more important than any form of selfish indulgence. All of us do some sort of preparation before we leave out the front door, don't neglect your spiritual prep, take even five minutes, and do the same in the evening. Weaving the third point with this one, if you have peace with God, you can be still in your spirit, and soul, praying to God all day long; 1 Thess. 5:17 "pray without ceasing."
5. Ignorance Is not Bliss
Some believe Gods Spirit ceased to speak when the Bible was completed, God says nothing about this in scripture, and they are sadly, tragically wrong. Jesus defeated Satan when He died on the cross, justifying who He was when He rose three days later. Although defeated Satan fights a guerrilla warfare against all Saints daily, and keeps his slaves in fetters with his limited power. The Bible gives us all the direction, teaching, and instruction that we need, but the Spirit gives us specific keys to unlock the hearts of those under Satans yoke. Again, we need to know what God is doing right now, based on the knowledge of His will (Bible), proceeding from our faith in who we are and who He is.
The next five will be covered in my next blog...
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