HAS GOD EVER SPOKEN TO YOU AUDIBLY?
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No one contests that God can do whatever he wishes and has the power and might to do so.
The intention is to determine the frequency of reported occurrences and to consider whether mental illness is a factor in allegedly hearing the voice of God. Auditory hallucinations are part of mental illness. Therefore, if someone has a history of mental illness, their reported occurrence is suspect. The remainder could possibly be considered credible, if the person is of good moral character and reflects sound thinking. Like I said, ONE person on this thread is someone I would consider to be a sound thinker, so I would consider her account to have some reasonable basis.
So, my equation is something like this:
Credible incidences = Total reported incidences - incidences involving mentally unstable individuals - incidences involving liars
The intention is to determine the frequency of reported occurrences and to consider whether mental illness is a factor in allegedly hearing the voice of God. Auditory hallucinations are part of mental illness. Therefore, if someone has a history of mental illness, their reported occurrence is suspect. The remainder could possibly be considered credible, if the person is of good moral character and reflects sound thinking. Like I said, ONE person on this thread is someone I would consider to be a sound thinker, so I would consider her account to have some reasonable basis.
So, my equation is something like this:
Credible incidences = Total reported incidences - incidences involving mentally unstable individuals - incidences involving liars
Well spark...I should probably be crazy and locked away somewhere for the things I've been through and still have my faith and trust in God. I was sharing my testimony just tonight and I don't think it sat too well...don't think the person could imagine a portion of having lived my life. I'm pretty normal if there is such a thing. I've heard God audibly one time. I would again love to hear him speak in my ear. Have you ever felt the spirit of God move through you? It's like that...you know it's Him...you can feel His presence. It's unmistakable.
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Yes I have although I doubt some would relate to it as it's too tame for them. I felt a warm, loving, glowing presence settle on me and take up residence. No pew jumping, hysteria, flopping around or anything else...no audible voices. And I don't lack one bit 
This is really a futile survey though. Amongst professed Christians there are many who have no qualms about lying so polling or questioning people I don't trust is a waste of time.
This is really a futile survey though. Amongst professed Christians there are many who have no qualms about lying so polling or questioning people I don't trust is a waste of time.
But the people heard the voice at Sinai and wanted God to speak through prophets instead. But the voice from heaven occurred three times, I believe in the Gospels in regard to Jesus. On one occasion, some said it thundered.
If hearing an audible voice means one is mentally ill, was all Israel mentally ill? The still, small voice Elijah heard may have been audible.
I can't say, to my recollection, that I have heard God speak to me audible. I think I would have remembered that. My Dad heard a voice call his name while he was sleeping, he said, that woke him up when I was about. He checked on me and I had a high fever and my parents took care of me. I don't know that he would say that was the voice of God. I suppose angels can speak.
And people who have visions may perceive audible voices. Peter heard a voice in his sheet visions. His visions may have been quite realistic since when an angel freed him from prison, he thought he was in a vision. He must have been able to smell the prison smells, feel his feet on the earth or on his sandles, and feel himself walking out and see as he walked out. But he thought it was a vision. The voice in the vision may have been perceived as audible.
If hearing an audible voice means one is mentally ill, was all Israel mentally ill? The still, small voice Elijah heard may have been audible.
I can't say, to my recollection, that I have heard God speak to me audible. I think I would have remembered that. My Dad heard a voice call his name while he was sleeping, he said, that woke him up when I was about. He checked on me and I had a high fever and my parents took care of me. I don't know that he would say that was the voice of God. I suppose angels can speak.
And people who have visions may perceive audible voices. Peter heard a voice in his sheet visions. His visions may have been quite realistic since when an angel freed him from prison, he thought he was in a vision. He must have been able to smell the prison smells, feel his feet on the earth or on his sandles, and feel himself walking out and see as he walked out. But he thought it was a vision. The voice in the vision may have been perceived as audible.
There is a problem with your line of reasoning here. You almost seem to be judging people for experiencing healing, etc. Who had more faith, the disciples down that Jesus encountered after the transfiguration who could not cast a demon out of the boy because of their unbelief, or Jesus who cast the demon out?
Which took more faith on the part of Peter, walking on water, or sinking after he saw the wind and the waves? Jesus asked Him why he doubted. Apparently, he'd been believing when he walked.
You seem to be thinking of this backwards, as if someone who believes God to heal only believes God to heal so he can see something and believe in God because he sees it. That doesn't really make sense. If you believe in God whether you see healing, miracles, etc., that's good. We should believe God. But some of these things come, or come in response to our faith. Jesus said things like 'according to your faith, be it unto you' and he healed a lame man lowered through a roof after seeing the faith of the men who tore up the roof.
Stephen was a man full of faith and power, and he did signs and wonders. Can you judge him for having a lack of faith because he did signs and wonders? I suspect the issue of believing God was settled with him, so he could operate in faith and the gifts he'd been giving. If someone is waiting for God to do a miracle before he believes God is real, he's probably not going to do many miracles.
Saying that someone has to have faith to be healed and laying hands on someone, believing God, and seeing them healed are different things. I don't like how some in the WOF movement and other movements blame the sick. I think that is the wrong approach. Those who are critical like this should themselves believe God and pray for those who have less faith. Putting it all on the weak, sick person isn't the right way to go about this. And if they can't lay hands on the sick person and see that person healed, they shouldn't be blaming the sick person. Especially in the case of church elders, since the elders is supposed to be the one who prays the prayer of faith when he anoints the sick with oil.
Which took more faith on the part of Peter, walking on water, or sinking after he saw the wind and the waves? Jesus asked Him why he doubted. Apparently, he'd been believing when he walked.
You seem to be thinking of this backwards, as if someone who believes God to heal only believes God to heal so he can see something and believe in God because he sees it. That doesn't really make sense. If you believe in God whether you see healing, miracles, etc., that's good. We should believe God. But some of these things come, or come in response to our faith. Jesus said things like 'according to your faith, be it unto you' and he healed a lame man lowered through a roof after seeing the faith of the men who tore up the roof.
Stephen was a man full of faith and power, and he did signs and wonders. Can you judge him for having a lack of faith because he did signs and wonders? I suspect the issue of believing God was settled with him, so he could operate in faith and the gifts he'd been giving. If someone is waiting for God to do a miracle before he believes God is real, he's probably not going to do many miracles.
Saying that someone has to have faith to be healed and laying hands on someone, believing God, and seeing them healed are different things. I don't like how some in the WOF movement and other movements blame the sick. I think that is the wrong approach. Those who are critical like this should themselves believe God and pray for those who have less faith. Putting it all on the weak, sick person isn't the right way to go about this. And if they can't lay hands on the sick person and see that person healed, they shouldn't be blaming the sick person. Especially in the case of church elders, since the elders is supposed to be the one who prays the prayer of faith when he anoints the sick with oil.
To be honest, I am not sure how to respond to this. Not the part of hearing God audibly as I have yet to experience that, but your reception of what has been said. Have you taken an offense to whats been said? That is not the point or purpose. Where did I claim that you are less spiritual for denying people's experiences? Also, what do you mean by spiritual? What are we talking of here? Experience, holiness, or what? I am simply addressing your skepticism, that is repugnant. The audacity to take what God has granted to a person, an intimate thing, and tie it in with insanity?
In a previous post you mentioned repentance, and dare I say, look in the mirror. I come in love, Sparkman, and yet also with righteous indignation. I can see your desire for statistical data upon which you can confirm that people are experiencing the voice of God because they are mentally unstable or drugged up, but to what end? Are you envious? Do you wish to stand with truth? Then look no further than the word of God. He speaks in many ways, audibly being one of many.
You believe the testimony of Angela, good! So then what is this thread? A way for you to spot "the crazies"? It seems that you find issue not with God speaking audibly, but the merit of the one claiming God spoke (or speaks) to them. Why do you doubt these claims? Why do you seek to invalidate them? Why waste your time discrediting the experience of others, instead of living in your own? You know that God has a plan for your life, do you not? A place in the Body of Christ, as you are a member? I don't know where you stand in your walk with God (in terms of fellowship), but may the Lord speak to you, if not audibly, in a way that you will hear and listen. Amen? I don't just mean in obedience but in reconciliation that Christ purchased for you, to spend time with the Lord. The veil being torn.
PS: If I have offended you either here or in a previous post, forgive me. I truly had no such intention.
In a previous post you mentioned repentance, and dare I say, look in the mirror. I come in love, Sparkman, and yet also with righteous indignation. I can see your desire for statistical data upon which you can confirm that people are experiencing the voice of God because they are mentally unstable or drugged up, but to what end? Are you envious? Do you wish to stand with truth? Then look no further than the word of God. He speaks in many ways, audibly being one of many.
You believe the testimony of Angela, good! So then what is this thread? A way for you to spot "the crazies"? It seems that you find issue not with God speaking audibly, but the merit of the one claiming God spoke (or speaks) to them. Why do you doubt these claims? Why do you seek to invalidate them? Why waste your time discrediting the experience of others, instead of living in your own? You know that God has a plan for your life, do you not? A place in the Body of Christ, as you are a member? I don't know where you stand in your walk with God (in terms of fellowship), but may the Lord speak to you, if not audibly, in a way that you will hear and listen. Amen? I don't just mean in obedience but in reconciliation that Christ purchased for you, to spend time with the Lord. The veil being torn.
PS: If I have offended you either here or in a previous post, forgive me. I truly had no such intention.
A
Yes I have although I doubt some would relate to it as it's too tame for them. I felt a warm, loving, glowing presence settle on me and take up residence. No pew jumping, hysteria, flopping around or anything else...no audible voices. And I don't lack one bit
This is really a futile survey though. Amongst professed Christians there are many who have no qualms about lying so polling or questioning people I don't trust is a waste of time.
This is really a futile survey though. Amongst professed Christians there are many who have no qualms about lying so polling or questioning people I don't trust is a waste of time.
The secret of freedom from sin is not trying to resist sin , but discovering how to make ur relationship with God more pleasurable and emotionally satisfying than sin. Once u do that sin will no longer be the temptation it once was. The reason we are tempted with sin is because we have unmet needs within us. If u get emotionally involved with God he will fulfill every longing and desired of ur heart, which will leave sin and its ability to tempt you, powerless.
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"The secret of freedom from sin is not trying to resist sin , but discovering how to make ur relationship with God more pleasurable and emotionally satisfying than sin."
while i think i see where you are headed here, i would offer that freedom from sin is found in Keeping the Word of Christ.
john 8: 31-34 "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.33They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. "
and as paul repeats
romans 6 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness."
its really as simple as changing the mind from thinking that were just sinners, thats not what the word of God says to those who are truly in christ. repeatedly were told " you died, you are not who you were, you are Children of God Now, New creations created for the purpose of doing the good works prepared by the Gospel. freedom from sin is possible, if a person will believe Jesus and what He teaches as well as they believe that He died and rose again.
were not like the Israelites of the old covenant, we have been given a new spirit, new Heart, eternal Life. all we need to do is have true faith in Jesus, which means we take the Lords Word as if it is the Lords Word. if a person Has faith in Jesus, His word will always be good to trust. He makes clear again and again " these things im teaching you, my sayings and commans , my words, Keep them aboide in them, follow them, do them dont simply hear them but Learn and Keep them"
the secret is simply to take what the Word of God says, seriously as if its more important than Our own desires and wants and ideas and ways. its the cure to the poison. from the beginning if man hears God, believes Him, Man never dies. because if adam and eve had believed God, they would have understood " we must not eat the fruit or we will surely die" God said it, we believe God therefore we take His word as if God said it, because He did. faith is all thats needed but real faith that acts on the inward belief.
while i think i see where you are headed here, i would offer that freedom from sin is found in Keeping the Word of Christ.
john 8: 31-34 "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.33They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. "
and as paul repeats
romans 6 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness."
its really as simple as changing the mind from thinking that were just sinners, thats not what the word of God says to those who are truly in christ. repeatedly were told " you died, you are not who you were, you are Children of God Now, New creations created for the purpose of doing the good works prepared by the Gospel. freedom from sin is possible, if a person will believe Jesus and what He teaches as well as they believe that He died and rose again.
were not like the Israelites of the old covenant, we have been given a new spirit, new Heart, eternal Life. all we need to do is have true faith in Jesus, which means we take the Lords Word as if it is the Lords Word. if a person Has faith in Jesus, His word will always be good to trust. He makes clear again and again " these things im teaching you, my sayings and commans , my words, Keep them aboide in them, follow them, do them dont simply hear them but Learn and Keep them"
the secret is simply to take what the Word of God says, seriously as if its more important than Our own desires and wants and ideas and ways. its the cure to the poison. from the beginning if man hears God, believes Him, Man never dies. because if adam and eve had believed God, they would have understood " we must not eat the fruit or we will surely die" God said it, we believe God therefore we take His word as if God said it, because He did. faith is all thats needed but real faith that acts on the inward belief.
I'm curious about your view of "lying". It seems from your earlier post regarding dishonouring God that you view anything 'not true' as a lie. I submit that there are several classes or causes of 'non-truth':
- simple error, whether by inattention or as an inadvertent slip of the pencil resulting in, or being read as '2 + 2 = 14';
- ignorance, as of a child or uneducated person; the simple 'not knowing yet' of truth/facts;
- misunderstanding, as the result of poor or faulty communication;
- different perspectives or lenses on the facts, such as illustrated by differences in time at which a loud sound is heard;
- differences in understanding as to the meaning of words used;
- incomplete knowledge perceived or presented as complete knowledge with no intent to deceive;
- taking part of a truth as adequate representation of a whole truth when in fact it isn't;
- willful, conscious presentation of something as truth that is known not to be the truth, whether in whole or in part.
I suggest that only in the last case should it be considered 'lying'.
- simple error, whether by inattention or as an inadvertent slip of the pencil resulting in, or being read as '2 + 2 = 14';
- ignorance, as of a child or uneducated person; the simple 'not knowing yet' of truth/facts;
- misunderstanding, as the result of poor or faulty communication;
- different perspectives or lenses on the facts, such as illustrated by differences in time at which a loud sound is heard;
- differences in understanding as to the meaning of words used;
- incomplete knowledge perceived or presented as complete knowledge with no intent to deceive;
- taking part of a truth as adequate representation of a whole truth when in fact it isn't;
- willful, conscious presentation of something as truth that is known not to be the truth, whether in whole or in part.
I suggest that only in the last case should it be considered 'lying'.
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Sparkman, the perception I am getting from this thread is that you want to equate anyone who hears God with being mentally ill. That may not be the reality but it looks that way. Jesus said we would not only hear God but know His voice.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
If you are having trouble hearing from God I would first suggest finding a quiet place then going to Him in prayer with either a question or simply a request to hear Him and then waiting. It seems in this right now world we live in we have forgotten how to wait though patience is a fruit of the spirit. I also found that early in my walk I heard Him most often when I journaled. I hope this helps and I will be praying and asking God to let you hear Him so that your faith may grow and so He may be further glorified.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
If you are having trouble hearing from God I would first suggest finding a quiet place then going to Him in prayer with either a question or simply a request to hear Him and then waiting. It seems in this right now world we live in we have forgotten how to wait though patience is a fruit of the spirit. I also found that early in my walk I heard Him most often when I journaled. I hope this helps and I will be praying and asking God to let you hear Him so that your faith may grow and so He may be further glorified.
Timed out on editing lol here are some other verses on this subject...
Jer 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known
Isaiah 30:21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left
Luke 11:28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Jer 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known
Isaiah 30:21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left
Luke 11:28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Out loud no the still small voice in my head yes. I would also venture a guess that everyone here that has posted has also heard that small voice as I believe it is called your conscience you know. You are going to do something and you feel as though it is wrong or you are doing something and get the thought that maybe you should not do it and you go ahead and do it anyway and then later wish you had listened to the thought that had warned you in the first place...
I think more of us have heard from God than we would like to admit. We must listen and He will lead and show us the way we should go. God's voice will always be in harmony with the Bible and not contradict it. If the voice is going against the Bible then it probably isn't God's voice. We also have an enemy whispering for us to go against God in one way or another.
Yes, there has been mental illness in my family, no not a charismatic.
I think more of us have heard from God than we would like to admit. We must listen and He will lead and show us the way we should go. God's voice will always be in harmony with the Bible and not contradict it. If the voice is going against the Bible then it probably isn't God's voice. We also have an enemy whispering for us to go against God in one way or another.
Yes, there has been mental illness in my family, no not a charismatic.
I actually saw a post on facebook today about this Blain. Facebook seems to do this a lot for me. lol
If we are willing...we can take criticism like this as learning to not care what the world thinks about us...in this case, it is brethren.
I would call this unbelief and/or superstition.
Personally, I never thought that it was odd to hear His Voice. Seems like the most natural thing to hear Him. And the word supernatural didn't occur to me.
Facebook seems to do this a lot for me. lolIf we are willing...we can take criticism like this as learning to not care what the world thinks about us...in this case, it is brethren.
I would call this unbelief and/or superstition.
Personally, I never thought that it was odd to hear His Voice. Seems like the most natural thing to hear Him. And the word supernatural didn't occur to me.