History Middle School

↓What are three ways that God speaks to us today?↓

What Are Three Ways That God Speaks To Us Today?

Answers

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

1. Words We Hear

The first way God speaks is the one that’s most often associated with hearing his voice: words we hear. While we would all love to hear an ‘audible’ voice, hearing God’s voice speak in this way appears somewhat rare and particularly reserved for those moments when we’re about to step out into the traffic! The word ‘audible’ itself may indeed be a misnomer – according to my doctoral research, most of those who have experienced it, say it would not have been heard by those around them (See Waiting for God to Speak Out Loud? Think Again). Mostly it seems, the Spirit speaks to us inaudibly and internally – with a message that sounds much like our own thoughts – i.e the ‘still small voice’ of Elijah’s experience (1 Kings 19:9-13).

When God speaks in words, he may give us a single phrase or he may use full sentences. He may use a wordplay (eg. Jeremiah 1:11-12) or give us a riddle that calls us to ponder (Numbers 12:8). Often he’ll ask a question to get us thinking (1 Kings 19:9, 2 Chronicles 1:7) and as the conversation continues, he reveals something more significant later on.

2. Pictures We See

The second way God speaks is in pictures that we see. As God said through the prophet Jeremiah; “Which of them has stood in the council of the Lord to see or to hear his word?” (Jeremiah 23:18, italics mine). We hear his message through words, but we see his message through pictures.

At first, this may seem an unusual way to speak, but we need to remember picture language is the most basic of languages. When children first learn to read, we give them a picture book to practise with – not the Oxford Dictionary. Further, imagery is the most expressive way to communicate which is why it is often said that a picture tells a thousand words. Perhaps this is why God communicates in this way so often in the Scriptures, particularly in the Old Testament where dreams and visions comprise ⅓ of the content (Read: Dreams – God’s Favourite Form of Communication).

When God speaks in pictures, his message comes in dreams when we’re sleeping or visions when we’re awake. Sometimes the picture speaks symbolically and requires interpretation (see for example; The Meaning of Vehicles in Dreams). Other times, the scene is more literal.

Sometimes God’s visual messages are full of riddles, poetry and allegorical forms that are not easily interpreted or measurable. These can be compared to the parables of Jesus which use images or scenes to communicate an idea. Walton suggests that the reason word pictures are used by God is to engage the right side of our brains.1 (This idea was touched on in the podcast: Are Women Better at Hearing God’s Voice?)

Communication in picture form is a way of speaking that the Western church often finds difficult to accept. Writers like Dallas Willard2 and Wayne Grudem3 have gone so far to say it is not a valid way to hear God’s voice. The reasons are primarily historical – an unfortunate product of Reformation thinking that downplayed the so-called mystical forms of spiritual experience. In fact, imagery is the most common form of communication in the Scriptures and can be the most powerful and creative way of all (Read Why God Speaks in Dreams and Visions or listen to this podcast as an example).

3. Emotions We Feel

Finally, God’s messages may come packaged as emotions we feel. In other words, we sense what God is saying to us. The emotion of the Holy Spirit is felt physically and this in itself communicates a message.

So the presence of hope may invade us, comforting us and calling us forward (Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 14:3). Peace becomes a guide to lead us (Colossians 3:15) and a deep-seated conviction may turn us around (John 16:8). A friend of mine with a ministry in healing often experiences a sense of sadness when she meets someone who the Holy Spirit wants to touch in a profound way.

One of the reasons why dreams can be such powerful communicators is because the emotion we experience in them becomes part of the message. Daniel felt deep anguish when he first experienced his visions (Daniel 10:1-9), John found himself weeping (Revelation 5:4) and Peter was revulsed by what he had seen in his trance (Acts 10:14). Of course on the other hand, feelings of guilt, shame, fear or condemnation are never a part of God’s communiqués to us.

So God speaks to us in words, pictures and emotions. There are other forms too – although these are not as common. In my doctoral studies, I’ve interviewed people who have heard from the Holy Spirit through the senses of taste and smell! God packages his message to us in a myriad of forms. He is a masterful communicator who knows how to get his message across to those who are listening.

Answer 2
Words we see Things we hear and when praying

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