God is unlimited hence the number of ways He communicates is also unlimited. Today we will consider just a very small sample of the ways in which He speaks. The oldest book in scripture says:
Job 33:14-18 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. (15)
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; (16) Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, (17) That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. (18) He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
How does GOD speak?
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The first underlined (vs. 14) happened to Samuel and happens to many people. GOD speaks audibly in a voice that is quiet/still or familiar to us (1Sam 3:4-19) but many do not perceive it. Like Samuel we might think someone else is calling us or it’s just our mind—not perceiving it is the voice of GOD trying to get our attention.
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Vs. 15: GOD speaks in Visions and Dreams e.g. Joseph (Gen 37:5), Pharaoh (Gen 41:25), Mary & Joseph (Matt 1:20; Matt 2:13,19,22).
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He speaks through rhema i.e. the portion of his word that jumps out and catches our attention. In Matt 4:4, the Greek word used for “word” in this verse is rhema. We live of the rhema GOD gives us.
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He speaks through our friends, enemies, Prophets, revelatory gifts of the Holy Ghost such as words of wisdom and knowledge etc. He also speaks through inspired sermons, tapes, CDs, scripture etc. He can also speak through a variety of other ways which we will not consider today. Just refuse to put GOD in a box
How can I know GOD is speaking to me?
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Be aware that GOD is always speaking especially to his beloved. Good fathers communicate with their children and He is the best DAD.
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Know beyond a shadow of doubt that His sheep (not lambs) know his voice. Sheep refer to grown lambs. Nepios also hear his voice but Huios hear it better. We must all endeavour to grow up into mature sons. Maturity comes from staying in constant fellowship with him and eating the food of the Word and praying in the Holy Ghost. Heb 1:1-2 teaches us that in the OT, GOD spoke to us strictly through the prophets but in the NT, He has spoken to us through Jesus. Jesus speaks to us through His Spirit that indwells us so the smartest thing that a believer can do is to get to know the Holy Ghost through fellowshipping/communing with Him (2Cor 13:14). Fellowship/Communion is accomplished through prayer, worship, and praise, reading/eating the Word and praying in the Holy Ghost which builds us up (Matt 4:4 & Jude 1:20). Like in all relationships, the more we fellowship/Communicate with someone, the more intimately acquainted with their voice we become. Fellowship is how babies develop their sense of knowing their parents voices accurately so that even without seeing them physically, they can still perceive and recognise the voice of their parents among a group of strange voices.
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Finally have faith in GOD. Have faith in the word that He speaks to you His beloved child. Some believers fear being misled by their own thoughts or demons BUT have more faith in GOD to lead you in the right way than in Satan to lead you in the wrong way. When in doubt ask yourself is what you heard lines up with the WORD i.e. the revealed counsel of scripture. If a person does not have the word in them, it is harder for them to judge if what they hear is from GOD or not. It is GOD’s word in us that helps us distinguish his voice to us from our soulish voice (Heb 4:12).