Does God speak audibly seems to be a topic that comes up from time to time. I went on a mission to pursue this topic. Validation that I have found a secure basis in scripture to truly verify to myself that I can say, "God speaks to His people." By His people I mean someone who has recognized they are a sinner; they are in need of a savior and understanding that Jesus Christ was the only perfect one born of a virgin, crucified for our sins, and raised from the dead. He was the only one who met the criteria of 'the law.' He was the only one without sin. All others have sinned and so would not nor could not meet the criteria of a sacrifice without blemish. Understanding this criteria that Jesus Christ came to Earth to restore mankind for mankind to be able to have the ability to approach God is a vital point of being a Christian. So first we must understand that God does not speak to sinners per se. He might in the course of wooing them but in so much as leading them, He is not going to go against His Word which is if you do not believe in God He will not be speaking to you. However, if you have a relationship with Jesus, God will be speaking with you. It really is child-like faith. You have to believe like a child. Simple, but somehow, the harder you try to explain it to someone, it becomes complex. Oy! Romans Chapter 10 will tell you how to be saved.
So trying not to run down bunny trails, the gist of this topic is does God speak audibly? Yes, He does. Does that negate what is written in His Word? No, it does not. Does it do away with what is in His Word? No, it does not; in fact, if it goes against His Word - Run Forest Run! Danger, Danger. One thing you can be sure of - if what you are hearing God say to you goes against His Word, IT IS NOT GOD!!! RUN!!! Because more likely that is Lucifer or one of his demons and whatever is being said - Don't do it!!! Just Don't!
Today, I specifically want to look at one verse - Ephesians 3:8-10. (NKJV) 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the [b]fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things [c]through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the [d]manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the [e]principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
Verse 10 stopped me in my tracks. Everybody is always running Kenneth Hagin down for his Word of Faith doctrine. Can I just say...Read scripture and when you read it, read it out loud to your self so that your ear hears it with your own voice. There is something about this process that bypasses our puny minds and the Word actually gets past our brain. So back to verse 10, as I was reading...I was reading the Amplified version with states THROUGH THE CHURCH...
8 To me, [though I am] the very least of all the saints (God’s people), this grace [which is undeserved] was graciously given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the good news of the incomprehensible riches of Christ [that spiritual wealth which no one can fully understand], 9 and to make plain [to everyone] the plan of the mystery [regarding the uniting of believing Jews and Gentiles into one body] which [until now] was kept hidden through the ages in [the mind of] God who created all things. 10 So now through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God [in all its countless aspects] might now be made known [revealing the mystery] to the [angelic] rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
So first of all, it is the church (through the church), secondly - look at who the church makes the plan known -- Yes, that's right! The rulers and authorities in ...Oh my Gosh! WHO, WHAT, WHERE? YES!!! Us, who is the church, the body of believers, what are we doing? We are making known the mystery of God's plan - to who? the principalities and rulers, authorities in heavenly places. I don't know about you, but that just gave me goosebumps! That signifies to me that we absolutely have power to use the name of Jesus to speak to those angelic rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Declare and Decree! Now this is off to the side of the topic of does God speak, but we are to do what God speaks. So now I want you to go to Acts Chapter 10. This chapter is very good at showing how God speaks and how He does not speak. God has a variety of ways of showing himself and speaking. We tend to say speaking more than anything, but He can show Himself through dreams, visions, prophecies, through worship, through sermons, but is He speaking now days or do we just have His written word and that's it. Yes, we have His Word and His Word has not been done away with. However, even Paul states it is the letter of the law that kills, it is the Spirit (Holy Spirit) that brings life.
Okay, so let's look at Acts 10. We see a variety of ways in which God speaks to people. The first we notice here is Cornelius. Cornelius sees an angel. The angel has a message for him. Verses 3 through 8 tell of the mission Cornelius and his men are given. Next, we see Peter. Peter is praying and God gives him a vision and speaks to him. This chapter has amazing things revealed. God made a way for Jews and Gentiles. Jesus Christ, himself, was annointed with the Holy Spirit and without the Holy Spirit Christ could not have done what He did. This speaks to me more than anything about how important our relationship with the Holy Spirit is and why the only unforgiveable sin is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Take Heed! Holy Spirit deserves as much respect and reverent fear as God, the Father and God, the Son. Back to our story, in the latter part of the chapter we start to see how God does not speak.
In verse 34, we see God is not going to show partiality. Meaning when someone says - I and only I can bring you this message. Ummmm, yea....I don't think so....that goes against God's Word. Next, we see God says in His Word that the nation who fears him and does what He says...so when we Christians sit back and let the enemy take over our nation - We're going to pay a price. God will hold the church accountable.
Next, let's look at Acts 11:22 (KJV), 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
This totally tells me "We hear." Reminds me of Revelation 12:11, 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Now, let's look at Acts 12. Remember we are looking for the ways God speaks to His people. An angel came and said (Acts 12: 7) And Acts 12:21 is where we see how God does not speak. Peter had an angel come to him. Not everyone has an angel come to them but they get a message and it is from God. It comes through some person of some other person's story. God answering prayer. But in verse 21, we see Herod makes a great speech. However, he did not give glory to God. Here is a clear sign. When someone attributes what they do or say and do not give glory to God, it's a good indicator that's not God talking. They are pretty easy to recognize with the I, I, I, I, I, ME, ME, ME, ME...really easy to see. I wish all things relating to God were as easy as this one.
Moving forward, Acts 13:2. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Ask yourselves, what and who or who and what...first we see they were ministering to the Lord. And they were fasting. And how did God speak - "The Holy Ghost" said...and reading further down, we see another example of someone trying to stop God and what happened to them.
So logically, I have to ask myself did God speak? Yes, Debbie, He did. Does God change? According to scripture God does not change. So if God does not change and He spoke to His Followers back then is He going to change the way He does things? No, He is not which tells me He still speaks today. It's not just by the Word but it also is not exclusive of the Word. If one is not preaching the Word, giving God the glory and allowing the Holy Spirit freedom, we have to ask ourselves have they been sent by God? I would have to say, 'No. They are not of God and are not sent by Him' - because His Word tells me the standards that the messenger must have in order to have been sent by God. And you will notice that it is the Holy Spirit being referenced here in Acts 13. And that, my friend, is dangerous territory if you are not respecting, glorifying or honoring the Holy Spirit. God speaks by His Holy Spirit to His Holy Spirit in us.
In closing, the letter of the law (Word of God) bring death without the revelation of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that brings life. I hope this will encourage to dig deeper and further and find out what it is that God is saying to you. Because His Word to you is meant for your brothers and sisters in Christ and likewise, what we have said to us by His Holy Spirit is for you. May we all be allowed to do what we are called to do and let people be used in the gifts that God has given them.
2 Corinthians, chapters 3-6 (KJV) 3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
