"HELLO GOD IS THAT YOU?"

By: Donna Selma Lind

"Hello God is that you? How do I know for sure it is you calling and this is not a prank call?
It sounds like you, but I am not totally sure it is you. Can you speak a little clearer and louder so I can hear your voice better?"

Does this conversation sound familiar? Do you have a hard time knowing when God is speaking to you? 
I'll be honest, sometimes I have trouble discerning the voice of God.

It was pretty obvious for Moses, God spoke to him in a burning bush. The Lord came to Isaiah in dreams. Daniel had visions. Elijah was in a cave when God spoke to him in a still small voice.

God still speaks to His children. He loves us and desires to communicate with us. Our Heavenly Father longs for us to sit in His presence and get to know Him. This is key to discerning when and what He is speaking to us. 

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

So how do we know when it's God talking? How do we know it's His voice?

I believe we hear from three voices:  God. The Enemy, and our Own Flesh. 

How can we tell the difference?

The voice of God brings Peace.  
"For God  is not a God of disorder but of peace." 1 Corinthians 14:33

The voice of God brings Truth.
"When the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth." John 16:13

The voice of God brings Love. 
"Whoever does not love , does not know God , because God is love. " 1 John 4:8

The voice of God brings Life.
"It is the spirit of God who brings life.The flesh profits nothing." John 6:63


The voice of the Enemy brings Confusion.
" For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."  James 3:16

The voice of the Enemy brings Lies.
"The devil is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44

The voice of the Enemy brings Fear. 
"God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power and love and a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

The voice of the Enemy brings Death.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." John 10:10



The voice of our Own Flesh brings Sin.
"Now the deeds of our flesh are evident, which are immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. " Galatians 5:19-21

What are some things we can do to make sure we are hearing God's voice and not the Enemy or our Own voice?

Let's go back to our earlier telephone conversation.

Look at your phone. You have three features I want you to remember.

PAUSE~  CALLER I.D. ~ VOICE MAIL 

When you want to make sure that  it is God  calling:

# PAUSE - Put the call on Pause. Stop. Pray. Fast. Seek the Lord for His will in His word.

# CALLER I.D. - Check the Caller I.D. to see who is calling. Does the voice and the message line up with the identity (ID) and character of Christ? Does it bring peace, joy, love and the fruits of the spirit? Does it bring life and Glory to God? 

# VOICE MAIL - Listen to the Voice Mail. Does the voice bear witness to your spirit? Is the voice confirmation of what God has been showing you? Is it a pushy, bullying voice that causes guilt, fear and condemnation? Or is it a still small voice that encourages, edify's and brings you peace?

"My sheep know my voice." John 10:27


When you get right down to it, the more time we spend getting to know God, the easier it will be to recognize His voice when He is calling. The more conversations we have together the easier it will be to know what He sounds like, His character, identity, desires and plans for our lives. 
The more "Face Time" we have with God  the closer we'll become and the easier it will be to hang up on the Devil when he calls! 

"HELLO GOD IS THAT YOU? IT IS SO GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE!"

HALLELUJAH! 

PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

DONNA SELMA LIND