Recognizing God’s Still, Small Voice

At times, the Lord speaks to us in a still, small voice from within our spirit. This is not a booming, audible voice. This can be heard as a passing thought, sudden impression or internal “sense” of something God is saying.

This still, small voice is illustrated in the book of 1 Kings. In this account, God is not in the strong wind or the earthquake, but rather He is in the gentle blowing (1 Kings 19:11-13).

This is an Old Testament example of the still, small voice of God in operation. In the New Testament, we read of the inward witness of the Holy Spirit that bears witness with our human spirit.

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God (Rom. 8:16). Instead of describing an audible voice of God we hear with our natural ears, we read that the Holy Spirit “bears witness” with our human spirit. In this context, the Spirit is confirming that we are the children of God. The same gentle internal assurance that reminds us that we are sons and daughters of God also gently leads us in our everyday lives.

Earlier in this same chapter, Paul taught us that those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God (Rom. 8:14).

Angels

Angels are another voice that speaks to us from the heavenly realm. Throughout the New Testament, angels spoke to people and gave them instruction for their lives.

“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Rise up and go toward the south on the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ This is desert” (Acts 8:26).

“The very night when Herod would have brought him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. And the guards before the door were securing the prison. And suddenly an angel of the Lord approached him, and a light shone in the prison. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, ‘Rise up, quickly.’ And the chains fell off his hands” (Acts 12:6-7).

Trances

Trances are another way God speaks to His people. Trances are much like visions, except when we are in a trance, we are completely unaware of our surroundings. The Greek word for trance means, “to be out of your mind.” Trances take us out of our natural minds and into the mind of Christ.

Many Christians are convinced that because people in the occult have trances, that all trances are from the devil. The truth is, Satan can only copy the things of God. He is not a creator; he is a forger. Counterfeits simply reveal there is an important source of truth that needs to be properly applied.

“The next day as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the sixth hour. He became very hungry and desired to eat. But while they prepared a meal, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened, and a vessel like a great sheet, tied at the four corners, descending to him, and let down to the earth” (Acts 10:9-11). {eoa}

Kris Vallotton is the senior associate leader at Bethel Church in Redding, California, where he has served with Bill Johnson for three decades. He has written several books, including the best-selling The Supernatural Ways of Royalty and Heavy Rain.

For the original article, visit krisvallotton.com.