Hearing His Voice #142

Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.

Proverbs 15:22

We wish God would write His words in the sky or speak audibly to our ears. We long for concrete, tangible communication from Him. But God is Spirit, and He communicates spiritually. We can hear Him in the depths of our spirits, and sometimes He speaks more audibly than that. And He has given us His Word as the revelation of His general will for all humanity. Still, we yearn for God in the flesh.

Jesus came as God in the flesh, of course; that’s what the Incarnation was all about. But as the time of Jesus’ death neared, He told His disciples that it was good for Him to go. Why? Because His Spirit would then come and live inside of us. There would be numerous incarnations as the followers of Jesus became temples of the Spirit of Jesus. Later in the New Testament, the church is called the body of Christ. In this world, Christ’s followers become His hands and His feet—and His voice. His people are to become the physical expression of His spiritual nature. When we need to hear an audible voice, it will often come through the people around us who are filled with the Holy Spirit.

That’s why Scripture tells us there is success in many advisers. In Solomon’s time, when most of the proverbs were written, this was perhaps only wise advice to keep a person balanced in his perspective and decisions. After the advent of the Holy Spirit into the inner lives of believers, the advice takes on even greater significance. The people around us aren’t simply advisers with a diversity of opinions; they have the capacity to speak words inspired by the Spirit Himself.

When you listen to the wisdom of fellow believers, God’s voice will likely be somewhere in the mix. You’ll have to discern it, but it’s there. Surround yourself with Spirit-filled people and listen to what the Spirit says through them.

Spirit of God, speak to me through Your people. Let Your voice ring true when they speak Your words. I cannot travel this journey alone. Fill Your people with truth.