5 Tests for God's Whispers

I am enjoying a little book by pastor Bill Hybels¹ on hearing God.

Not every impression has God as its source. Pastor Hybels has five tests to determine whether an impression is, truly, from God or somewhere else.

Test #1 - Is it consistent with God's character? In Christ God's prophetic words always Build up, Cheer up; and Stir up². Even God's discipline in Christ is encouraging - this is how he works. Nothing discouraging is from Him nor for His people.

Test #2 - Is it scriptural? The Bible is God's revealed and inspired word, He would not give another word contradicting it.

Test #3 - Is it wise? God is the very creator of wisdom, he would never ask his children to do something stupid.

Test #4 - Is it in tune with your own character? God's whispers to each of us align with our unique character and internal makeup. Our personalities are our own unique expression of Christ. His whispers will resonate within.

Test #5 - What do people you most trust think about it? Take time to develop trusted friends and counselors in Christ.

- fritz

^{1 - -The Power of a Whisper, Bill Hybels, published 2010 by Zondervan
2 - Spiritual Gift of Prophesy}

Maybe It's God

"When the circumstances of your life start to shift ... at least consider that it might be due to God. When you find yourself in a state of confusion or curiosity about the way things are going, go ahead and ask him if there's something he'd like to say to you."

Open your hands, open your heart, heighten your attentiveness to any small way he might want to communicate to you, and then agree in advance that you will comply with whatever he says.

Why not give it a shot? What's the downside?"

-The Power of a Whisper; Chapter 2, Communicating God, Zondervan, Copyright 2010 by Bill Hybels

Power of a Whisper

I have come to believe that hearing the quiet whisper of the transcendent God is one of the most extraordinary privileges in all of life--and potentially the most transforming dynamic in the Christian faith.

When people hear from heaven, they are rarely the same again. When the sovereign God chooses to communicate with someone--whether eight, eighteen or eighty years old--that person's world is rocked."

- Bill Hybels, The Power of a Whisper - Hearing God. Having the Guts to Respond Introduction, A Fifty-Year Whisper-Fueled Odyssey

Jesus said,

"My sheep hear my voice" - Jesus (John 10:27a)

Ask to hear.

- fritz