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Speaks
to Us Directly. The Bible records the actual words of God. God
speaks to us through the Bible. Here is one example.
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For
God said, 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,' . . . (NASB) Matt.
15:4 |
God spoke to some of the prophets in dreams and in visions.
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In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw a
dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed . . . (NASB)
Dan. 7:1 |
Every word in the Bible is from God. That is the message of the next
verse.
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All
Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness . . .
(NASB) 2 Tim. 3:16 |
Answers
To Prayer. The message so far is that God does speak to us in
a number of ways. When we ask God for advice and direction, some teach
and others believe that God will speak to them directly. God has rarely
spoken directly to us. Yes, he spoke to the apostles and prophets,
but how many prophets and apostles were there? Today God may speak
to an individual, but that is not the norm. If God does, then the
Old Testament test as to when God has spoken is that there are no
mistakes in what is said (Deut. 18:15-22).
Based on the claims of all current day
"prophets," one would conclude that God has made some serious
mistakes. One gentlemen recently told me that He speaks to Jesus every
day. He went on to tell me that Jesus had made a mistake about the
man's love life. When this happens he says that he talks to Jesus
about His mistakes. The correct conclusion is that this man was not
talking to Jesus, but to a demonic spirit. The man is also not a prophet
of God. There are many "prophets" today who claim to speak
for God, but the truth is they are false prophets. God has not spoken
to them. Based on Deuteronomy 18:15-22, there are no prophets of God
today. This does not mean that God cannot or will not speak to someone
in the future.
God normally gives us an answer through
the Bible or by changing the circumstances in our lives. He usually
changes events to move us in a direction. Gideon was a great example
of one who sought God’s direction by asking for unusual events
to occur to give him a sign. Many Christians have found that God will
speak to them through circumstances too.
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Then
Gideon said to God, “If Thou wilt deliver Israel through
me, as Thou hast spoken, behold, I will put a fleece of wool
on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only,
and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that Thou
wilt deliver Israel through me, as Thou hast spoken.” And
it was so. When he arose early the next morning and squeezed
the fleece, he drained the dew from the fleece, a bowl full
of water. Then Gideon said to God, “Do not let Thine anger
burn against me that I may speak once more; please let me make
a test once more with the fleece, let it now be dry only on
the fleece, and let there be dew on all the ground.” And
God did so that night; for it was dry only on the fleece, and
dew was on all the ground. (NASB) Judges 6:36-40 |
Conclusion:God
leads us through our consciences, the Bible, the leading of the Holy
Spirit (Rom. 8:14), and through our circumstances. I find that God
is constantly leading me as I ask Him to change the events in my life,
and to speak to me through His Word. He has been very faithful to
give me guidance. I do believe that God can and does guide us in supernatural
ways, but that is not God's usual method. |
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