HAS GOD EVER SPOKEN TO YOU AUDIBLY?

[nddreamer]

Yes, he did. I was a non-believer at the time. There was another controversy going on whether the Bible was true or not. So I read it for the first time and believed it was total nonsense. I don't know why, but I read it the second time and knew it was total nonsense. I'm talking about the whole Bible here cover-to-cover. This is really crazy, but I opened to Genesis for the third time and I was totally spellbound. He opened it up for me and made it so real. I couldn't take my eyes away from it. Page after page I was totally rapt. After finishing the last page of Genesis, he switched off my brain and these words came from within "Don't be afraid, I am in control.". It's like your whole body becomes an ear. I've been hooked ever since. After he interacts with you, there's no room left for unbelief. Those who've had an encounter know what I'm talking about. Think I'm crazy as much as you like ---I'll keep on smiling.

 

[sparkman]

Yes about 7 years ago I had an issue at work that I needed to respond to in a strong way. I knew what I needed to do but I was concerned about knowing the right time to take action, so I gave to God and asked him to let me know if and when I should take action. Several months went by and one day a voice as clear and as loud as it needed to be said "Do it now". I did what I needed to do and the outcome was very good. The voice was to me like any normal voice and it was like someone talking very close to you where the voice sounds inside and outside of you at the same time. And no I am not mental or on drugs.

I forgot to mention the "on drugs" condition

 

[HeavenUp]

Nope not on drugs and I don't drink or smoke.

 

[BenFTW]

It is a very skeptical and disrespectful insinuation to correlate hearing God's voice audibly with medications for mental illness (or mental illness itself). Even Samson heard the Lord calling his name. I understand you are not dismissing the possibility of the Lord to speak audibly to His children, but your skepticism is unwarranted. Of all the wild things happening in God's word, you show skepticism in the Lord speaking audibly to a believer, a sheep of the Shepherd who the word of God explicitly states hear His voice?

Consider your own faith before examining another's faith. Maybe you don't experience any of these manifestations for the very simple reason that you yourself do not believe. As Jesus said, your faith has done it unto you. When people speak of skepticism immediately doubt comes to the forefront of the mind. As Peter sank, so will the skeptic. They share doubt in common. Yet, do not lose hope, for Jesus did lift up Peter. Likewise to those in doubt, may He, the Lord, be gracious and merciful to your unbelief, all of our unbelief, and so give us faith and courage.

 

[kaylagrl]

Has God ever spoken to you audibly?

Note that I am not asking if God CAN speak to someone audibly. I know he can speak to someone audibly.

I'm asking if he has spoken to you audibly, and if so, what did he say?

Also, do you have a history of mental illness? Do you take mental health drugs?

Additionally, are you charismatic?

Claims like these have been made on the site.

Balaam's donkey spoke to him. Think he had mental problems? I wonder if he was Charismatic? Balaam that is...

 

[pottersclay]

Yes many times. He's the voice of reason in the mist of chaos. The voice of comfort as I battle stress. The voice of wisdom when I'm at a loss,
He has woken me from my sleep, set a time to just fellowship. Called my attention to things he has pointed out.
I find it hard that more relationships are not like this.
My wife has asked me many time " who you talking with" I just smile. My grandson says g-pa what did you say? When I haven't spoken anything.
My wife and I agree at the same time on certain decisions as we here the same voice.
God is as real as my friends and family are to me. The most important part of the day is driving to work and coming home. I look forward to our conversation, my teachings, all of that as I try and place myself in his presence all the time.
Can't really place my finger on the sound of his voice but it makes my ears perked and captures my attention quickly.
You all can size me up for a straight jacket and butterfly nets but this is normal for me and a very blessed part of my day that I look forward to.

The word says that no one has seen him and lived but no where did I find a place no one will hear him ......for faith comes by hearing.
Jesus said he only does the things and speaks that which he hears the Father say.

Our Lord wants to be a friend and companion to us also. That is a very important part of our walk . He was a friend to Abraham. Do you sit in silence with your friends?

 

[nddreamer]

Ha!Ha!Ha! Keep on trying!

 

[Silverwings]

nddreamer- Amen & amen!! One with an arguement does not stand a chance with one with an experience!! Ain't God good?

 

[sparkman]

It is a very skeptical and disrespectful insinuation to correlate hearing God's voice audibly with medications for mental illness (or mental illness itself). Even Samson heard the Lord calling his name. I understand you are not dismissing the possibility of the Lord to speak audibly to His children, but your skepticism is unwarranted. Of all the wild things happening in God's word, you show skepticism in the Lord speaking audibly to a believer, a sheep of the Shepherd who the word of God explicitly states hear His voice?

Consider your own faith before examining another's faith. Maybe you don't experience any of these manifestations for the very simple reason that you yourself do not believe. As Jesus said, your faith has done it unto you. When people speak of skepticism immediately doubt comes to the forefront of the mind. As Peter sank, so will the skeptic. They share doubt in common. Yet, do not lose hope, for Jesus did lift up Peter. Likewise to those in doubt, may He, the Lord, be gracious and merciful to your unbelief, all of our unbelief, and so give us faith and courage.

Regarding mental illness, I know it's a factor in hearing voices, so I think it's a reasonable question to ask. Regarding my faith, I have total faith that God exists and that I am indwelt by Him. In fact, I would claim it takes MORE FAITH to feel confident in one's relationship with God without spiritual manifestations such as audible voices.

I would also hold the position that those who maintain a confident relationship with God in the midst of suffering have more faith than those who claim that the person would be healed if they had enough faith.

This is why I'll never be a charismatic or a Word of Faith person. Despite their claims that others have less faith, I believe they are in fact the ones who are not confident in their relationship with God. They apparently must experience such manifestations to feel confident in their relationship with God. And, I suspect that their experiences are largely figments of their imagination. One tends to interpret experiences in terms of their pre-existing beliefs.

I'm not claiming someone couldn't experience an audible voice. Angela said she did, and I recognize her as a sound thinker. I don't know her personally, but she sounds reasonable. I strongly suspect many just delude themselves into this, though. I wonder if they would make such claims if it was clear to them that God is not a big fan of lying. I don't think Ananias and Sapphira knew they would drop dead for making false claims else maybe they wouldn't have made them. Personally I'm very concerned about giving truthful accounts and would never make a false claim in regards to these sorts of things. I caution others not to make them as well. The repercussions could be severe.

 

[gotime]

As to the OP, Only once have I every heard a voice audibly it was shortly after I repented of my sins, The voice seemed to come from every direction at once and was both strong and soft. only a few words. "I am with you, now walk in my ways."

From that day on I found Sins that I was trapped in dropped away and for the first time in my christian journey I had true victory over sin in Christ.

Never heard anything since then nor before then.

 

[sparkman]

Regarding mental illness, I know it's a factor in hearing voices, so I think it's a reasonable question to ask. Regarding my faith, I have total faith that God exists and that I am indwelt by Him. In fact, I would claim it takes MORE FAITH to feel confident in one's relationship with God without spiritual manifestations such as audible voices.

I would also hold the position that those who maintain a confident relationship with God in the midst of suffering have more faith than those who claim that the person would be healed if they had enough faith.

This is why I'll never be a charismatic or a Word of Faith person. Despite their claims that others have less faith, I believe they are in fact the ones who are not confident in their relationship with God. They apparently must experience such manifestations to feel confident in their relationship with God. And, I suspect that their experiences are largely figments of their imagination. One tends to interpret experiences in terms of their pre-existing beliefs.

I'm not claiming someone couldn't experience an audible voice. Angela said she did, and I recognize her as a sound thinker. I don't know her personally, but she sounds reasonable. I strongly suspect many just delude themselves into this, though. I wonder if they would make such claims if it was clear to them that God is not a big fan of lying. I don't think Ananias and Sapphira knew they would drop dead for making false claims else maybe they wouldn't have made them. Personally I'm very concerned about giving truthful accounts and would never make a false claim in regards to these sorts of things. I caution others not to make them as well. The repercussions could be severe.

The attempts by charismatics or Word of Faith people to shaken me in my faith are futile. I do not need to experience manifestations to know that I have a relationship with God. I am not that insecure.

 

[BenFTW]

The attempts by charismatics or Word of Faith people to shaken me in my faith are futile. I do not need to experience manifestations to know that I have a relationship with God. I am not that insecure.

I don't believe people present are trying to shaken your faith. If anything it would be an encouragement to expand it. Skepticism will get you what? I mean, I understand you may be skeptical of other's experiences but for you to endeavor to discredit those experiences is another matter. Suggesting it could be psychosis when you clearly see in God's word that the Lord speaks to believers audibly is rather, well, ignorant (for lack of a better term, and no offense intended). If all throughout history the Lord has shown Himself to speak in a number of ways, why does it, His speaking audibly, cause skepticism today?

You may question the source of the experience, but it is a fine line. You speak of blaspheming (and consequences) and yet wish take something the Lord has shared with another and make them out to be crazy? Have you decided to judge God's servant? Have you in your persecution of things of the supernatural persecuted, unknowingly, the Lord? These are genuine and sincere questions to ponder. What good have you called evil that is from God? I've seen Christians say that tongues are of the devil. That is an insult to the Lord, for it is His gift.

I'm just saying Sparkman, don't be so quick to dismiss claims of the supernatural or experiences in general. People have walked on water, seen angels, cured diseases that were deemed incurable, raised the dead, and more! These are incredible things, and to the one who believes possible. You read the Bible, do you not? There are experiences in there that must've been awe-inspiring. Pillars of fire? The splitting of the Red Sea? Walking on water? The raising of the dead? The God of the Bible is still sovereign, mighty and powerful. Today He reigns, and forevermore. Toss skepticism to the wind, use due diligence when necessary, and believe that all things are possible with God.

 

[Amazing-Grace]

Reading through this thread...Why would some folk choose to use such a beautiful OP which could and should be used to glorify God and choose to turn it around and use it as an opportunity to bash charismatics. I don't believe that God cares much for man-made denominations. I believe He looks at the individual and his/her heart.

Do I believe God can speak audibly? Absolutely, He spoke to me once when I was newly saved. He speaks to me often through His word but audibly only the once - thus far but I am open to hearing Him audibly again at some point if He so chooses.

 

[sparkman]

I don't believe people present are trying to shaken your faith. If anything it would be an encouragement to expand it. Skepticism will get you what? I mean, I understand you may be skeptical of other's experiences but for you to endeavor to discredit those experiences is another matter. Suggesting it could be psychosis when you clearly see in God's word that the Lord speaks to believers audibly is rather, well, ignorant (for lack of a better term, and no offense intended). If all throughout history the Lord has shown Himself to speak in a number of ways, why does it, His speaking audibly, cause skepticism today?

You may question the source of the experience, but it is a fine line. You speak of blaspheming (and consequences) and yet wish take something the Lord has shared with another and make them out to be crazy? Have you decided to judge God's servant? Have you in your persecution of things of the supernatural persecuted, unknowingly, the Lord? These are genuine and sincere questions to ponder. What good have you called evil that is from God? I've seen Christians say that tongues are of the devil. That is an insult to the Lord, for it is His gift.

I'm just saying Sparkman, don't be so quick to dismiss claims of the supernatural or experiences in general. People have walked on water, seen angels, cured diseases that were deemed incurable, raised the dead, and more! These are incredible things, and to the one who believes possible. You read the Bible, do you not? There are experiences in there that must've been awe-inspiring. Pillars of fire? The splitting of the Red Sea? Walking on water? The raising of the dead? The God of the Bible is still sovereign, mighty and powerful. Today He reigns, and forevermore. Toss skepticism to the wind, use due diligence when necessary, and believe that all things are possible with God.

1. I believe all accounts in Scripture. I am sola Scriptura.
2. I do not believe all claims of charismatics or Word of Faith individuals. In fact, I believe few of them.
3. I said on this thread that I found at least one person to be credible because she has reflected sound thinking in the past.
4. You are inferring I am less spiritual because I don't believe significant numbers of charismatics or Word of Faith individuals.
5. I don't really care what charismatics or Word of Faith individuals think in this regard.

It is interesting to see that about half of the respondees say that God has audibly spoken to them. I was interested in dissecting the data to see which ones who claim God has audibly spoken to them have been treated for mental illness.

Ben, have you heard an audible voice that you think was God, and have you ever been treated for mental illness? If you care to respond, it would be interesting to know. And, would you care to affirm that you are answering me accurately, and are representing a SOLID account of what has happened, knowing that you would be dishonoring God if you lie to me?

 

[sparkman]

I will restate this point...

If anyone is relating an inaccurate account regarding God speaking audibly to them, are they aware that they are dishonoring God and need to repent? Repentance would mean an open admission that they have related an inaccurate account.

I personally would have a big issue with dishonoring God in this manner, if I related an inaccurate account. I would be honor bound to admit that I had done so. It's not likely to happen with me, because regeneration involves a proper fear of God which would prevent me from conveying false accounts.

 

[Amazing-Grace]

I cannot edit at this late stage but I would just like to add; I do attend a charismatic church because it is a church with sound biblical teaching and I enjoy lively worship without being frowned upon. I do not consider myself charismatic though and do not speak in tongues, fall back, roll around or do any of the other strange things mentioned by others here (now there's material for another thread!) but I do not judge what God may or may not allow others to do. My mind is open to what God can do through someone he chooses to use. My mind is also open to the human temptation to fake something that isn't of God. I have NEVER had a mental health issue - I say it as I see (or hear) it and I'm praising God for that!

 

[Lighthearted]

Is this thread to spread doubt and confusion among believers that God can do whatever He wishes and has the power and might to do so?

 

[Lighthearted]

Are you also saying that there is some connection to someone experiencing the voice of God and gifts of the Spirit mentally unsound?

 

[Lighthearted]

I don't believe people present are trying to shaken your faith. If anything it would be an encouragement to expand it. Skepticism will get you what? I mean, I understand you may be skeptical of other's experiences but for you to endeavor to discredit those experiences is another matter. Suggesting it could be psychosis when you clearly see in God's word that the Lord speaks to believers audibly is rather, well, ignorant (for lack of a better term, and no offense intended). If all throughout history the Lord has shown Himself to speak in a number of ways, why does it, His speaking audibly, cause skepticism today?

You may question the source of the experience, but it is a fine line. You speak of blaspheming (and consequences) and yet wish take something the Lord has shared with another and make them out to be crazy? Have you decided to judge God's servant? Have you in your persecution of things of the supernatural persecuted, unknowingly, the Lord? These are genuine and sincere questions to ponder. What good have you called evil that is from God? I've seen Christians say that tongues are of the devil. That is an insult to the Lord, for it is His gift.

I'm just saying Sparkman, don't be so quick to dismiss claims of the supernatural or experiences in general. People have walked on water, seen angels, cured diseases that were deemed incurable, raised the dead, and more! These are incredible things, and to the one who believes possible. You read the Bible, do you not? There are experiences in there that must've been awe-inspiring. Pillars of fire? The splitting of the Red Sea? Walking on water? The raising of the dead? The God of the Bible is still sovereign, mighty and powerful. Today He reigns, and forevermore. Toss skepticism to the wind, use due diligence when necessary, and believe that all things are possible with God.

Best post I've read on this entire site bro

 

[zeroturbulence]

God made our ears and our brains.... If he wants us to hear Him, he will make us hear Him! Whether we are mental nutjobs or not!