Why Can't I Hear from God?Our God desires to connect with us intimately. By Christ's name, through the Holy Spirit, our God the Father wants to pour His heart out to us. In the same token, He wants us to pour out to Him what is in our heart.
Many Christians say they cannot hear the voice of God. More effort and more attempts lead to more frustration. The harder they try, more silent God seems. WHY?
What we do not understand is that in order for us to hear God's voice, we need to first check if we are in the state ready to hear from Him. Many can testify that they can hear from God both through His Word and through God's very creative way of revealing Himself (such as visions, dreams and prophetic revelations, just as Joel 2:28 & Acts 2:17 described). This happens in their lives so frequent that hearing from God through the Holy Spirit (and talking to Him) is just a way of life. What is in these people that they can hear from God day to day?
In His own Word, God has revealed the necessary states and conditions in order for His children to be in the ready-mode to hear His voice. If you ever wonder why you can't hear from God, check out the following and see if they apply to you so that you can tune in better.
1. A Humble Heart
God said, "These are the ones I look on with favor: Those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word." (Isaiah 66:2)
A humble heart is preoccupied with God and God's agenda. A prideful heart is full of self and the agenda for "self". There is no room in the heart left for God. A prideful heart seeks control and seeks to be in-charge. It is a heart that refuses to yield to God.
To tune in to hear from God, we must humble ourselves. A prideful heart is what God hates. No prideful soul can expect anything from God. That is why in Matthew 5:3 it says, "Blessed is the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." A humble heart willingly and constantly surrenders the "Self" under the Lordship of Christ. Only a humble heart is an open heart. A prideful heart is a heart that is closed.
2. A Contrite Spirit
God is close to those who have a contrite spirit (Psalm 34:18, Psalm 51:17). It is a heart who is sincerely grieving and penitent for sin. A contrite spirit sees the reality of his helplessness in sins: may it be addictions of various forms; inability to forgive; indulgence in self-pity; desires of the flesh that grieves the Holy Spirit. When we truly grieve over our state of sinfulness, admitting and agreeing that we have nothing to offer to get out of it, we then turn to God and cry out to Him. Such a heart is ready for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
3. A Pure Heart
Those whose thoughts, motives & desires match with their words and their actions have a pure heart. No lies would come out the mouth of a pure heart. A pure heart wears no mask and plays no game. A pure heart does not seek to manipulate and does not have any hidden agenda. A heart that is pure is free of unsettled sins with the Lord and with each other. So to hear from God, we must confess our sins regularly to one another. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16)
4. An Obedient Heart
Why should anyone expect to hear from God if what God shares one would ignore completely or disobey by doing the opposite? An obedient heart declares to our Lord, "Here I am, whatever you say, I'll do." While we all have preferences, but an obedient heart chooses to surrender his or her preferences to the Lord and willingly and happily says yes, Lord, with no if-s; and-s; but-s.
5. A Reverent Mindset
We often pray as if there is no one there to hear us. But that is exactly why our prayer life does not lead us into an intimate relationship with God. How can we be intimate with a phantom! A phantom mindset cannot be a reverent mindset. Until we, by faith, know who we are talking to, we will start talking to God with a reverent mindset. A reverent mindset is necessary for us to take His Word seriously and take it to heart! God gives favor to those of us who tremble at His Word.
6. A Child Like Faith
Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." [Mark 10:5] Children know no boundary. As we approach our Father in Heaven, we come with no mental limit impose upon God. We tune ourselves to His voice, revealed to us in any form that His sovereign Lordship decides. A believing heart without doubt; a single-minded heart is ready to receive from God. Anyone who doubts should not expect to receive anything from the Lord (James 1:6-9).
Children are straight forward. They speak their mind. When we receive His Word in such child-like attitude, we are in the posture to hear and to receive. Jesus said, "If I have faith, I can move mountains in His name." His command is not up for theological debate, but when we claim His Word for our lives, it is up for us to taste and experience by ourselves.
