Listening to God ...

Often we hear people saying, “God spoke to me. He told me this and that.” But exactly, how do we actually hear from God?

Jesus said in John 12:50 that “whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” We are called to be like Christ, and if Christ attempts to listen to the Father, should we not do likewise?

We have to understand that spiritual connectedness is on three levels:

1. The spiritual decision to accept Christ – the basic connection

"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." - John 12:46

Speaking as a rationalist, accepting an invisible God, somebody whom you cannot see or touch physically, is way weird. However, many Christians have made this similar decision all around the world, despite it being as irrational as possible. God often invites us to accept Christ in the oddest of timings. Sometimes, it may not even be in a Church service. However, our lives will never the same after that. Question is how do we get this connection everyday?

2. Practicing the presence of God – the intermediate connection
"12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground" - Ephesians 6:12-13a

Paul talked about temptations and sins that attempt to draw us away from God. Yet, he mentions that it is only by “put[ting] on the full armor of God” can we “stand [our] ground”. Putting on is an action which indicates habits. The armor is things like prayer, the Bible, Christian resources. The Christian needs to take time away from all other distractions, lock himself up, and only then can God speak to him.

3. In the presence of God 24/7 – the advanced connection

"and after you have done everything, to stand." - Ephesians 6:13b
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:5

Have anybody tried praying in your mind the whole day before? It is only when we stay in God’s presence continually, do we make a “stand” to the people around us. Only then can God speak to us whenever He wants to. You see, if we can spend time singing a song in our brains, while chewing gum, watching TV and doing our homework, surely we can give a portion of our brain to praying/connected to God while on the go. As it is in 2 Corinthians 10:5, whenever a thought seeks to block that connection with God, like a worry, or a sinful thought, catch it and change it into a prayer.

Psalm 46:10 (New International Version)
10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

When Adam knew Eve, a baby was born. Knowing God requires a change in our lives. If we seek to hear God and what He wants to tell us, do you not thing that transformation will occur in your life? Surely, it will!

Amen.