Hearing God's Voice
- Is there such a thing as a still, small voice?
- If there is no new revelation, how can you explain the revelations people have?
- If God doesn't speak to us today through a still small voice, how does He communicate with us?
- What is the problem with people saying, "God spoke to me?"
Is there such a thing as a still, small voice?
The only use of the term "still small voice" is in the KJV of the Bible in 1 Kings 19:9-13 "And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD [came] to him, and he said unto him, 'What doest thou here, Elijah?' 10 And he said, 'I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, [even] I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.' 11 And He said, 'Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD.' And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; [but] the LORD [was] not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; [but] the LORD [was] not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; [but] the LORD [was] not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice . 13 And it was [so], when Elijah heard [it], that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, [there came] a voice unto him, and said, 'What doest thou here, Elijah?'"
Even a cursory analysis of this passage will show that it is not an "ambiguous" or "unclear" utterance to Elijah or a feeling in his soul, but a clear voice of God with clear utterance. Because this is the only reference to a "still small voice" we should understand the context and dismiss the false notions that have mislead so many to follow feelings instead of wisdom in making decisions.
It is interesting to me that even when people see the Scripture, they refuse to let go of their unbiblical notions. I suggest if one is to receive direct revelation they should acknowledge the biblical pattern: 1) The voice of God is clear; 2) His speaking is supernatural; 3) It is by God's initiation.
If there is no new revelation, how can you explain the revelations people have?
My responsibility as a Bible student is not to interpret Scripture in light of experience but to interpret experience in light of Scripture. With this in mind I doubt many of the accounts of new revelation. I find it dangerous to go to a brother and say, "God told me to tell you, thus and so." Often people want to authenticate and spiritualize their communication to each other, and so God is invoked as the author of what is said. It has become such a part of Christian expression that we accept it as a biblical form of communication.
Certainly God can communicate new revelation if He desires, but it is not the norm. God has given us all the revelation that He wants for us at this time in His revealed Word, the Bible. I do believe that revelation has ceased.
If God doesn't speak to us today through a still small voice, how does He communicate with us?
He speaks to us through His Word. The Holy Spirit teaches us and guides us into truth. The Holy Spirit reminds us of Scripture and brings discernment to the mind. This is verifiable by consulting the Word of God.
What is the problem with people saying, "God spoke to me?"
It is manipulative. There are self-proclaimed prophets who tell people what to believe and how to live. The evidence of the revelation they share is some sensation in their spirit that God is speaking to them. They then translate this into a stated revelation from God for themselves or for others. Decisions are then made based on this spurious revelation.
What we must do is look at God's Word and then we can make wise decisions. It is dangerous for us to listen to other men about what God has for our lives without Biblical evidence to support it.