After we hear a voice, we must
discern that it is truly from God
In Contrast to Paganism our
God Speaks

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and
sisters, I do not want you to be
uninformed. You know that when you were
pagans, somehow or other you were
influenced and led astray to
mute idols.
1 Corinthians 12:1-2
Our Confidence is that
God:

Has spoken
Is Speaking
And will speak to men
Topics we address:

Does God Speak to people today?
How can we recognize His Voice?
How Can I avoid being mistaken?
How often should I expect to hear from God?
Why don’t we hear more clearly?
How can we hear more
clearly

Think Like God thinks
Value what He values
Love like He loves
Re-Calibrate our Minds

Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind. Then you will be able to test and
approve what God’s will is…
Romans 12:2
The Lord’s Voice is not
Overpowering

And after the earthquake, a fire;
but the Lord was not in
(the earthquake or) the fire:
and after the fire,
a still small voice.
How God Speaks

First and Foremost: By His Written Word
“Still Small Voice” (Holy Spirit)
Through Authorities
Through Confirming Signs
Today’s 2 Questions:

#1
How can we recognize His Voice?
and
#2
How Can I avoid being mistaken?
God Directing without
Words

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and
the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the
Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go
into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
God Speaking

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There
stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying,
“Come over into Macedonia, and help us.”
And after he had seen the vision, immediately we
endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly
gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach
the gospel unto them.
“Another “ Voice

As we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed
with a spirit of divination met us, which brought
her masters much gain by soothsaying:
The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying,
“These men are the servants of the most high God,
which shew unto us the way of salvation”.
Paul Knew
it was not God’s Voice

And this did she many days. But Paul,
being grieved, turned and said to the
spirit, “I command thee in the name of
Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And
he came out the same hour.
Punished for doing God’s
Will

And when her masters saw that the hope of their
gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas…,
And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These
men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city…
And when they had laid many stripes upon them,
they cast them into prison,
“In the world there are many
kinds of voices…”
1 Corinthians 14:10
Satan will Masquerade

And no wonder, for Satan himself
masquerades as an angel of light. It is not
surprising, then, if his servants also
masquerade as servants of righteousness.

2 Corinthians 11:14
Jeff Dunham and Achmed the Dead Terrorist
Popular Ventriloquist
Ventriloquism

 Originally, ventriloquism was used for
ritual or religious purposes;
the Zulus, Eskimo, and Māori
“Gastromancy”
(Acts 16:16-18)

 A girl who had a "spirit of Python”
and followed Paul and his
companions around the city of
Thyatrira, crying out after them.
2 Types of Wisdom

This wisdom descendeth not from
above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
For where envying and strife is, there is
confusion and every evil work.

James 3:15-16
2 Types of Wisdom

But the wisdom that is from above is
first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and
easy to be intreated, full of mercy and
good fruits, without partiality, and
without hypocrisy.

James 3:17
God’s Voice is Wisdom

Satan’s Wisdom
God’s “Wisdom”
Earthly
Sensual
Devilish
Envying and strife
Confusion
Every evil work
Pure
Peaceable
Gentle
Easy to be intreated
Full of mercy
Good fruits