Testing the Voice Part 3

Call to Prayer 

Title: Testing the Voice Part 3

By: Daniel Peter

Date: 25.08.2023

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? Jeremiah 23:29 NIV

In walking with God who is a Spirit, we have to be able to discern His voice so we can know and do His will. The word “discern” suggests that God’s voice is not the only voice in the spirit realm, so we have to determine what is His and what is not. Again, we are not only faced with the need to determine if what we are hearing is God’s voice or the devil’s voice per time, but we also have to ensure that what we call the voice of God is not the voice of our minds. Properly testing what we hear will help us to stay accurate in our determination of His will.

The word of God contains keys on how we can determine the source of what we are hearing, of which I have shared some in my previous contributions to the call to prayer this week. Today, I will speak on the bodily signs the Lord gives to us to help us know His voice. The Lord speaking to Jeremiah said: “‘Is not my word like fire,’ declares the LORD… (Jer. 23:29 NIV)”. Usually when the Lord speaks, He makes us to feel heat in our heart or hands. This bodily sign is to help us understand that He is the one speaking. This may be experienced at the point we are hearing His voice (either directly from Him or through others), or as a constant heat in our heart or hands over a period time, which is a sign that He has given us His word.

Apart from the bodily sensation, the word of God being like fire also means it can not be held back without being said. Jeremiah speaking said, “But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot (Jer. 20:9 NIV)”. Apart from heat, some people may experience this as a pain in the heart like a sword (or knife) piercing through (Luke 2:35), while others may have goosebumps or a cold sensation as the word is being spoken.

Apart from bodily sensation affirming the word that we are receiving is from God, many times God will also give us signs to show that what we are hearing is not from Him or something evil is behind the appearance of God. This may come in the form of headache or an unease that may cause one to be restless. What we feel to determine if what we are hearing is of God or not is determined by God alone, for we may not experience it the same way. Usually, the people God gives bodily sensations as a discerning tool are those with the gifts of the discerning of spirits.

As we walk with God, we should take note of how He communicates and the surrounding circumstances and with time our discernment of His voice will be perfected.

Prayer Point:

Let’s thank God for His word. Let’s ask Him to help us understand when He is speaking to us or not. 

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