Mike Erre, a teaching pastor at Journey Church and prolific author, joins to explore how we can know when God is speaking to us. He shares insights on engaging with scripture to enhance daily life and the importance of community in discerning true divine messages. Through personal anecdotes, they discuss recognizing God's voice in nature and relationships. Erre emphasizes the need for active prayer and relational intimacy with the divine, reassuring listeners about their agency in navigating God's guidance.
God actively desires to communicate with humanity, emphasizing the importance of recognizing how He speaks through various means.
Understanding God's voice involves studying the teachings of Jesus and engaging with a community for accountability and discernment.
Deep dives
God's Desire to Communicate
God actively desires to communicate with humanity, emphasizing that He is not a distant figure but one who engages in conversations. The foundation of this belief is rooted in the biblical narrative, particularly in Genesis, where God speaks to creation and engages people with questions, showing His interest in their responses. This understanding encourages individuals to recognize the importance of asking how God communicates with them, asserting that He is always speaking, often through nature, beautiful creations, and personal experiences. Thus, the initial premise is that it is entirely valid and good to seek out how God might be communicating in personal, tangible ways.
Recognizing God's Voice Through Jesus
An essential means of recognizing God's voice is through understanding the character and teachings of Jesus as presented in the New Testament. Jesus exemplifies what God sounds like, and by studying His words and actions, individuals can learn to differentiate His voice from others. This recognition is akin to understanding a familiar voice, as one must engage with the stories of Jesus to truly know His manner of speaking, which is characterized by mercy, compassion, and affirmation. Consequently, immersing oneself in the gospel accounts becomes a crucial practice for anyone wishing to discern God's voice effectively.
The Role of Community in Discernment
When navigating the complexities of hearing from God, the input of wise and mature individuals within a community is invaluable. Engaging with others who share faith can provide support and clarity on whether a personal revelation aligns with the character of Jesus and scripture. The importance of accountability is highlighted, as not every claim of a divine message is genuine, making it important to evaluate the character and actions of those relaying such messages. This communal aspect allows individuals to foster discernment while mitigating the risk of misinterpretation or misunderstanding of God's guidance.
The Interactive Nature of Guidance
Understanding divine guidance involves an interactive relationship with God, where faith and action coexist. Rather than passively waiting for clear instructions, individuals are encouraged to act in alignment with their growing understanding of God's will, utilizing the wisdom derived from scripture and personal experiences. This process emphasizes the responsibility of being an image bearer, suggesting that humans possess agency in making decisions while still relying on divine wisdom. The notion is that God remains involved in the journey, continually engaging His followers and inviting them to step forward despite uncertainties.
Pastor and author Mike Erre joins Kaitlyn this week to answer “How do we know when God is talking to us?” Mike reminds us how amazing it is that God talks to us at all, and gives biblical guidance on discerning when God is speaking. Kaitlyn and Mike share how they have heard God in their lives, and why they believe God still speaks to his people today.