For a good portion of my Christian life I thought God only talked to me in order to tell me what to do. Some who do believe God speaks today also believe that “God doesn’t speak to be heard; He speaks in order to be obeyed.” Now I definitely believe this statement contains truth, but that doesn’t mean it’s the whole truth.
The why behind God speaking to us is so much bigger than receiving marching orders from heaven. Surely there are things that God will say simply because He wants us to hear them: “I love you,” “You’re amazing,” or “Good job.” A good father would say such comments to his child, and Jesus said that God was a good Father (Mt 7:11). As a father, I am the same toward my kids, often saying things to them that are simply meant to affirm their identities, share my love, and praise their good choices.
In short, there are many different reasons that God will speak to us, and we need to understand them as we progress in our discussion and understanding of hearing God’s voice. For some of you, this emphasis won’t seem necessary, but there are many who will need to broaden their foundation to understand why God speaks so as not to miss what He might be saying.
GOD SPEAKS TO MAKE HIMSELF KNOWN
The first and probably most important reason that God speaks to us is to make Himself known to us.
Exodus 33:12-13 – Then Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people!’ But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me. Moreover, You have said, ‘I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people.”
GOD SPEAKS TO REVEAL OUR PURPOSE IN HIS PLAN
God speaks to us in order to reveal our specific purpose in what He is doing all around us.
Ephesians 2:8-10 – For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
GOD SPEAKS TO BRING US BACK TO THE NARROW PATH
Another reason that God speaks to us is to bring correction to our lives.
Proverbs 10:17 – He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
Proverbs 12:1 – Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
Proverbs 13:18 – He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
Proverbs 15:5 – A fool spurns his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
Proverbs 15:12 – A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise.
GOD SPEAKS TO US FOR OTHERS
• Another primary reason that God will speak to us is in order to speak through us.
• We call this prophesying and it was prevalent in the New Testament times and should be among us today.
1 Corinthians 14:3 – But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Have you ever overlooked what God is saying to you because you are looking for Him to say something else? How does it help to know the different reasons that God communicates to us?
Have you resisted the correction of God in your life? If so, why do you think that is?
Does God ever speak to you about other people? How is the frequency of hearing God for others related to the frequency of asking God for others? How will you pursue this more effectively?