How to Listen to God in 3 Steps
Can you hear God’s voice or are you distracted? This message teaches us how to listen to God in three steps. Also learn different resources you can use to listen to, and get closer to, God.
By listening to God and hearing his voice, we can develop a deeper relationship with him, which is God’s purpose for each of us. And never forget that the cross is your way home.
About the Speaker
Tony Higgins has been a follower of Christ for over 50 years, and serves on the Board of Faith Chapel. Through the years, he has also been both a student and leader in Bible studies. In his spare time, you’ll find him researching a new message, tinkering with computers, or spending time with his grandkids.
The Voice – Learn How to Hear God
God wants to communicate with you. Are you listening?
I recently came across an incredible story of a man who had to land a plane with no flight experience. The man is David Gibbs and his story about listening to the voice is a powerful message of trust, obedience, and faith. David had to fly and land the plane by following the instructions of the man who was guiding him. Just as it was imperative for David to follow the instructions of the voice at the airport, we need to follow God’s voice and not rely on the voices of others and those in our head.
We live in a world filled with noise. Almost everywhere we go, and with everything we do, our minds are overwhelmed with images and sounds. Rarely do families have quiet evenings together without some kind of distraction, like the sounds from the television or a cell phone. Seeking a quiet place to spend with God is not easy, but it can be done.
One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’” (1 Samuel 3:2-14, NIV).
This all came about because Samuel was obedient to Eli’s instruction and then to God’s calling. And, most importantly, he was ready to respond when God called him again. We need to be “in tune” with God so that we’re ready when he calls.
The Scriptures are filled with prayers, songs, stories, and miracles that demonstrate God’s power and show his desire to communicate with his people. But, in order to hear what God is saying to us, we have to learn to listen. If you take all the letters in the word “LISTEN,” you also have all the letters for the word “SILENT.”
It’s hard to tune out the voices of others, the call of social media, and the constant demands to do more and be more. But silence helps us hear God’s voice and sing his song.
Silence is the difference between sight and insight.
Silence is the difference between happiness and joy.
Silence is the difference between fear and faith.
If you want to hear the heart of God, silence is key. If you want the spirit of God to fill you, be still. Psalm 46:10 says “Be still, and know that I am God.”
How to Listen to God
1. First, we must be intentional in our focus, which means that our time and calendar must reflect our heart’s desire.
This means setting a regular time each day to get alone with God. This can be at home, on a walk, in your car, in the morning or evening, or whatever works best for you. A good tip is to find ways to eliminate the distractions.
What distractions do we have? How about a salesman at the door? Or on the phone? Or maybe our time schedule. Or a deadline. How about television? That one is easy. Just turn it off.
2. Second, we must listen with an open heart and attitude.
This means being open and receptive to God’s guidance and instruction, and being willing to obey. God is looking for ways to talk to you — and you will be encouraged to see how he brings favor when you bring an attitude of surrender rather than selfishness.
3. Third, we must trust that God has a message that is personal for our provision, protection and purpose.
This means trusting God during both difficult times as well as joyous or rewarding times. We must realize that God loves us and is the only one who can sustain us, and will provide for our every need. Putting our trust in him demonstrates a listening and willing heart and ultimately reflects our love for him.
When we listen and obey, we discover that life is full of promise and purpose and we become more confident in God’s plan for our lives.
Ways to Listen to God
1. The Bible
The Bible is the word of God, his revelation to us, breathed out by his Holy Spirit through human authors.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Bible is our roadmap, our user’s guide, and our owner’s manual. Reading and studying the Bible helps us to know the will and ways of God and to know what is and what isn’t the will of God.
2. Prayer
Ask God to speak to you through his word. Pray before you read the Bible. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance to understand and apply to your life the word of God. Ask him to open your eyes and your heart so you can hear his own voice (Psalm 119:18).
The closer we get to God by reading his word and praying, the easier we will find hearing God. Through prayer we can open the gateway of communication for God to express his will and desires for us.
3. Seek Godly counsel to guide you.
Your mentor or pastor can help you make sure you understood God’s message correctly, and they can give you suggestions on how to put it into practice (Proverbs 12:15).
Why it’s important to listen to God.
God’s purpose for our lives is not only to have eternal life and enjoy the peace of God but also to have a relationship with him right now. He wants us to enjoy his steadfast love and have ongoing conversations with him through prayer and the Bible. So, we need to take our own initiative and seek him with all our hearts.
We may not hear God’s audible voice like Samuel or Moses but we can be assured that God will communicate with us his will, his desires and his plans for us when we diligently seek him and follow his directions and listen for his voice.
Just like David Gibbs, who was in an airplane with no pilot at the controls, put his trust in the “voice” of someone he had never seen or met and promised to follow his directions without question, we need to submit our lives to the “voice” of God, who we’ve never met or seen in person and follow his directions without question.
And like David, who the “voice” urged to look for the landing lights in the form of a cross, don’t forget this: the cross truly is the way home.
Suggested Praise and Worship
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This and other sermons brought to you by Faith Chapel, an Assemblies of God church in Pleasanton, CA.
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