A Checklist For Listening to God

You listen to God, right? I mean, if you don't you should. And if you're like me you don't want to mishear God. Especially if it's really important information you're discussing with him.One of the things I've been doing this summer is writing a new book on listening to God. And part of listening to God is knowing when it is God speaking to you and not the bad sushi you had for lunch giving you back talk. (Been there. Done that. Not good.)So, just because I’m a nice person, I want to share my Listening to God Checklist with you—straight out of my course How to Master the Art of Hearing God's Voice.It will help you discern God's voice from all other voices. Really.(I urge those I mentor to copy it and use it as they learn to perceive God’s voice. It will come in handy whether for yourself or for sharing with another.)As you study God’s Word you’ll find that He communicates differently in various situations. But what He speaks to you and how He says it will always line up with this checklist.

A checklist for listening to God

God's voice:

• is good even if the message seems formidable.
• can startle you, but it will be reassuring.
• causes you to feel more intimate with God and more deeply loved.
• will not sound like the voice of a bad authority figure you’ve had in your life—be that a teacher, boss, father, mother, or pastor.
• will give wise advice or direction.
• may be bold, but not malicious—God will not say cruel things about you such as “You’re stupid” or “No one could ever love you.”
• can be corrective, but not unloving.
• will always line up with Scripture—the message will never contradict something God has already said in the Bible.

So most of the voices going on in your head probably don't line up with this list. The one that does . . . that's God talking. Tune into that voice.Well I hope this helps you discern the voice of the Lord the next time he wants to chat with you. Questions? Comments? Invitations to dinner?For more, check out my course How to Master the Art of Hearing God's Voice.Have a great weekend, and I'll touch base with you on Monday. Susan"Jesus likes it when we share." -Adelaide, age 3: Pass this along to everybody and their brother. OK, maybe not everybody's brother, but you know . . . all of your friends would be nice.