Answers to your questions about life, religion and the Bible
Dear Father Paul: Our pastor is always saying, “I heard God say this,” or, “God told me that.” Father Paul, I seem to hear voices in my head too from time-to-time. How can I know which of these voices are from God, and which are just my own thoughts, or even the voice of the Devil? — J.F.
Dear J.F.: What a great question. You are wise to ask it. Throughout your whole life you will be bombarded by voices in your head that say, “do this,” or, “do that.” How you respond will go a long way toward your happiness, your success and even where you spend eternity.
But first. Just because you “hear voices” in your head doesn’t mean that you are going crazy. Okay? All humans have what many call “voices.” One pastor friend of mine calls them “noise,” and I like that term better. “Noise” in your head is perfectly normal. Some people have lots of “noise,” some less. “Noise” is the product of a normal, active and healthy mind. Some people even absentmindedly repeat out loud, the “noise,” or what they are thinking at any given time. Its kind of humorous to hear, really. My own mother, God rest her, did that a lot.
The center of the matter is, however, the very question you are asking. “What is the source of a “voice” or “noise” you may feel is talking to you? And … how can you know whether it is good or bad?
The Bible, which is the primary way God speaks to us, teaches that, especially for non-believers, it can often be very difficult to tell the difference between a voice they hear that is from their own thoughts, from the Devil, or from God.
Jesus teaches us how we can know the source of the voices we hear in the Gospel of St. John, chapter 10, verses 1-4. In the New Living Translation it says this: (Jesus is speaking), “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber. But the one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls is own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.” (Italics mine.)
In this story from Jesus, those who believe in and follow him are his “sheep” and he is their “shepherd.” He knows their name, and they know his voice, against all others. Why? Because, as his “sheep” they have spent lots and lots of time with him. In other words, they know their shepherd’s voice as opposed to that of a thief or robber. There are simply no shortcuts. No! we must spend time with our shepherd and when we do, we will soon know his voice and be sure that it is him when he speaks to us.
Example. I know my precious wife Judy’s voice well as opposed to any others because I have spent lots of time with her. Fifty-two years to be exact!
We spend time with God by turning off the TV, logging off of the internet, then getting alone by ourselves and opening God’s primary way of speaking to us, his word, the Bible.
Next, we should spend time talking with him each day in prayer without our prayers being merely a long list of wants. We should instead ask him “Father God, what do you want? Then shut up and wait. When you pray that prayer, and mean it, the next words you will likely hear will be his answer deep in your own spirit.
Going to church is another way to hear from God.
Finally, keep this in mind. God will never speak in ways that are in direct conflict with his instructions and commandments in the Bible. If a person hears a voice say, “I want you to ditch your faithful and loving wife (or husband) and run off with so-and-so at the office,” rest assured, that is not the voice of God, but that of Satan or your own lust.
Remember, God loves all of his creation, especially us. He isn’t mad at us and takes no pleasure in seeing us ignore his loving guidance and go our own way instead of his.
Do you have a question or comment? Email me at paulmassey@earthlink.net
Father Paul Massey is pastor emeritus of Church of the Holy Cross Charismatic Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. Visit www.holycrosschurch.wordpress.com for information, location and service times.
