How To Clearly Know God Is Speaking To You

How to know clearly that it is God speaking to you.

 

We’d all like to know very clearly and with absolute certainty when God speaks that it is indeed God.

While I know it’s possible I also know how easy it is to find ourselves in a place of doubt. Certainty lies within us.  There is no external acid test to determine if a message is from God. Some would recommend to read the Bible and compare what you read with what you’ve gotten from God to decide if a message is from God.

At first blush it would seem that there’s nothing wrong with that method.  I question it however because many so called Christians are using that very method and are creating much discord and dysfunction within the body of Christ and feeling very little or no real connection to God.  Most of the time the result is getting caught up in all kinds of judgments and analytics with no real evidence of the Spirit at work whatsoever.

Consider this passage from Luke 24.  It’s the story about the “Walk to Emmaus”.  I don’t usually post large portions of scripture but I’ll make an exception in this case so everyone may read the entire story here:

Luke 24:13-32

13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? (KJV)

These disciples were very familiar with Jesus, had spent much time with Him – walking, talking, eating, and hearing his teachings.

No doubt they were in a state of upset over the recent events.  They were hard at work trying to make sense of it all.

When Jesus appeared and joined their walk and began talking with them, they didn’t recognize Him.

Scripture says “their eyes were holden”. (verse 16) This was not some trick on God’s part – nor do I believe that Jesus appeared in some unrecognizable form – a disguise if you will.  No, the block was within.

There is something that will always prevent us from seeing reality: When we are completely and wholly consumed with and concerned about the apparent external and physical aspects and events of our lives, our eyes are “holden” – prevented from seeing what is real – and right in front of us.

All our attention is focused on the perceived problem or issue – and we can’t see the solution when it’s right in front of us.

This doesn’t have anything to do with God.  It’s our focus – our condition that creates the block.

In verse 30 they’re gathered around the table and they recognized Jesus after he blessed the bread and gave it to them.

Was it the act of blessing the bread that woke them up?  Who can say?  Here’s my thought: At that time they were relaxed and their focus had shifted from the recent troubling events to eating.

Perhaps the walk, and now sitting down preparing to partake of good food with friends helped them relax.  They were in a place of safety.  The recent murder of their beloved Jesus was pushed back out of focus.  They were present in that moment.  The blessing was given – a shift to gratitude – focusing on thankfulness for food, safety, friends and fellowship.  And their eyes were opened.  Could there be a correlation?  I think so.

It’s in stillness that God is known.  Focusing on that which we’re thankful for has a stilling effect on the mind that tends to run from one problem to the next.  Sitting down with family and friends to a good meal tends to have a relaxing effect.

Relaxation is very important.  It’s a piece of being still.  A relaxed spirit is trusting.  In that state you are receptive to hear and receive that which comes from God.

So how can you clearly know that God is speaking to you?  Keep yourself in that open receptive state of relaxed stillness.  Otherwise God could be standing directly in front of you and you’d not know it.

Don’t get caught up in the apparent events of your life.  Don’t get caught up in thinking that God isn’t speaking to you or that you won’t know it when He does.

Practice relaxed stillness with gratitude.