The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
(1 Samuel 3:10)
Although I believe that scripture is the primary way God speaks to us, I think the Holy Spirit sometimes impresses upon our thoughts and feelings to communicate with us. Have you ever had a thought so profound and powerful that it would not be any clearer if someone spoke it to you? Or a persistent inclination or prompting that won’t go away? It’s kind of like learning a new language, or for that matter, a new accent in a different part of the country.
Soon after I moved from Chicago to Huntsville, Alabama, I was in church hearing a lady talk about the woman at the “whale.” I was confused, so I asked, “you mean Jonah and the whale?” She said, “No, silly, the woman at the whale, not Jonah. And Jesus was there, too!” It took me awhile, but I eventually learned to understand southern talk, which included cutting out the vowel “i,” adding syllables to words, like ambuLAYance, and changing my bub ( for bulb) and my o (for oil.) “And don’t forgeeet to put out that far.” (for fire.) But to be fair, they had to learn my Yankee talk, too!
Is that still, small voice in my head coming from God?
People have been tragically led astray by their leaders who claimed to have heard from God, which has caused confusion and mistrust over the whole issue of hearing God’s voice. But it would be anothertragedy if we fail to pursue the genuine simply because of the counterfeit. If you think God has told you something, you should seek confirmation using:
The Bible: Does it support or contradict what you’re hearing?
Circumstances: Are things lining up to affirm it?
Godly people you know: Have them pray and consider it
Ask God for more confirmation in whatever way he chooses
The longer you experience a close walk with Christ, the better you’ll get at recognizing the distinctive characteristics of his voice amidst all the other thoughts coming at you.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
Dwell in His secret place 