Hearing

Hearing God is one of the most sought-after experiences in the Body of Christ. Everyone wants to be able to walk in the stability and sweet fellowship of communion with the Holy Ghost; and rightly so. God has promised us in His scriptures that His sheep hear His voice (John 10:27). How else are we to navigate our way through this dark and overturned world, without knowing the will of God?

So, let’s get right into it.

“Hearing” can be both intellectual and spiritual. Spiritually, one may “hear” God’s Word (Num. 24:4), or learn” it from God. In other words, this is an instance where there is no distinguished voice, however, you suddenly understand or perceive what God is saying.

Peter received a vision of wild animals in a blanket, accompanied by the instruction He should kill and eat. This signified that God would now turn his ministry to that of the Gentiles. Notice in this instance,

Peter both saw and heard the Word of God. Being taken in a trance (a vision while awake), He also heard the Lord speaking to Him. The spoken Word of God to the ear or heart is often referred to as the rhema word of God.

However, God will also speak to us through the written Word, known as the logos word of God. In fact, every rhema word of God has its roots in the logos. In other words, anything God speaks to the ear, will have its roots in the holy scriptures. This is why we are commanded to judge prophecy (1 Cor 14:29). The judging here is simply explained as comparing what is being said as a rhema word, with the truth that is found in the scriptures. Thus, one can hear God in both rhema and logos.

Let us not forget the communion of the Holy Ghost, that is often involved in the study of the scriptures. These are wonderful times with the Lord where He reveals the written truth. In the case of hearing and hearkening to a higher authority, the Hebrew word “shama” means to “obey.” For example, in Abraham’s seed, all nations would be blessed because he “heard” (obeyed) God’s voice (Gen. 22:18). Thus, it is given to the people of God to hear and obey the Word of God. The inference here is that you have not heard, until you obey.

Conversely, it is important to note the concept of hearing also applies to God. God told Abraham that He had “heard” his prayer and would act accordingly (Gen. 17:20). In this context, to “hear” means not only to hear what is said, but to agree with its intention or petition (Gen. 16:11). Yes, the Lord hears our prayers and reveals His agreement with what has been prayed by conversing with us regarding the matter, or by simply granting the petition.

So far, I have mentioned the basic and widely ministered rudiments of hearing God. However, as you continue to read the upcoming chapters, I am sure you will encounter a more personal awareness of hearing the Father as you walk out your salvation.