375: [Formed.] Havilah Cunnington on What God's Voice Sounds Like, Why Some People Don't Want to Hear from Him, Developing Discernment, Flaky Christianity, and the Rise of Spirituality
Jan 31, 2024
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Havilah Cunnington discusses what God's voice sounds like and why some people don't want to hear from Him. They explore the rise of spirituality, the impact of COVID-19 on faith, and the challenges of discerning God's voice. The importance of regular scripture consumption and cultivating a steadfast relationship with the Lord is emphasized.
Recognizing and distinguishing between God's voice, the enemy's voice, and our own voice can aid in hearing from God.
Overcoming skepticism involves addressing past negative experiences and understanding that God communicates with love, truth, and grace.
Understanding and embracing our unique prophetic personality allows for a deeper connection with God and others, fostering empathy and diversity in hearing His voice.
Deep dives
Understanding the complexities of hearing from God
Hearing from God can be complicated as we navigate multiple internal voices: God's voice, the enemy's voice, and our own voice. Recognizing the emotions and motivations behind each voice can help distinguish between them. God's voice is characterized by clarity, wisdom, peace, and joy, aligning with the fruits of the Spirit. The enemy's voice often induces shame, anxiety, and negativity, while our own voice may be influenced by our desires and the need for quick results. Understanding God's character and immersing ourselves in His Word can aid in recognizing His voice amidst the internal dialogue. Seeking wisdom from trusted believers and engaging in community can also provide insights and confirmation.
Finding freedom from skepticism and cynicism
Skepticism and cynicism can hinder our ability to believe in hearing from God due to past negative experiences or beliefs about His nature. Overcoming these doubts involves addressing the pain associated with our perceptions and understanding that God communicates with love, truth, and grace. Recognizing that God desires to speak to us and that He is a good and involved Father can help us overcome skepticism and experience the intimacy and guidance of hearing His voice.
Embracing our unique prophetic personalities
Each person has a unique way of hearing from God, often referred to as a prophetic personality. These personalities include knowers, feelers, hearers, and seers. Understanding and embracing our prophetic personality allows us to communicate with God and others in ways that resonate with our individuality. Rather than elevating one personality above others, we can respect and learn from each other's expressions of hearing God's voice. This perspective brings a richness and diversity to our communities, fostering empathy, connection, and a deeper understanding of the various ways God speaks to His people.
Understanding Prophetic Personalities
The podcast episode delves into the concept of prophetic personalities. These are four distinct ways in which individuals discern and experience God's voice: the knower, the hearer, the seer, and the feeler. Each personality has its strengths and weaknesses. The knower relies on internal knowing, the hearer on words and phrases, the seer on imagery and visions, and the feeler on emotional interactions. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting different prophetic personalities within faith communities, as well as the need for humility and wisdom in delivering and discerning prophetic words.
Navigating Roadblocks and Maturing in Hearing God's Voice
The podcast also addresses roadblocks and challenges in hearing God's voice clearly. It highlights the significance of Scripture as a foundational guide and the importance of cultivating a personal relationship with God through the Word. The episode emphasizes the need for humility, accountability, and discernment when sharing prophetic words to avoid misleading or causing harm. It also encourages individuals to develop spiritual practices that promote growth and stewardship of their prophetic gifts. Throughout the discussion, the host emphasizes the role of maturity, empathy, and compassion in cultivating a healthy prophetic culture within faith communities.
It's week five of [Formed.], and this week, Havilah Cunnington joins us to discuss what God's voice sounds like. We're also going to explore why some people don't want to hear God's voice and how this plays into our journeys of formation as disciples of Jesus. Of course, if you missed the first four weeks of [Formed.], go back and catch those episodes on your podcast feed or YouTube.
