Is God still communicating with us today? Can we truly hear His voice? This question has left many Christian leaders divided.
Some assert that God actively guides us and offers direction when we seek it, while others maintain that His communication is limited to the scriptures we find in the Bible.
Personally, I believe that God continues to speak to us today through His Holy Spirit, just as He did in biblical times. What are your thoughts on this matter?
The Pseudepigrapha references a sect of the Pharisees that emerged over 800 years before Christ, which taught that God’s words were fully delivered through the writings of Moses.
They dismissed any later prophetic voices or texts as invalid, accepting only the first five books of the Bible as authoritative.
It appears that many contemporary church leaders espouse a similar belief, albeit with some modifications. For instance, modern “theological Pharisees” suggest that God’s communication is restricted solely to what is written in the Bible, claiming that He is no longer speaking today.
While it’s true that the Bible is a complete and closed text, and one should not attempt to add to the Canon of Scripture, the notion that we now worship a silent God—one who cannot communicate—is a significant theological oversight.
Many will die to defend what God said (past centuries) but
“… refuse him that speaketh [presently in our day and time ] from heaven ” (Heb 12:25).
Seven times we are admonished, ‘ ‘He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith [present tense] unto the churches “(Rev 2:7; 3:22).
A. THE NEED TO HEAR
Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4).
This word “proceedeth” speaks of a present-continuing function. That means some thing that happened in the past, is happening in the present, and will happen in the future.
This verse could be translated, ‘ ‘Man… lives… by every word that has been spoken and continues to be spoken by the mouth of God. ” God, Who spoke in ages past, is speaking in the present and will continue to speak in the future. GOD IS NOT A DUMB GOD!
This is not to imply that the Bible is still being composed or that we need to add to it—I firmly believe otherwise.
However, the Bible does convey that God desires a people who will “dwell in and walk in”
His presence (2 Corinthians 6:16) and be “living epistles, known and read by all” (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). We must truly listen for His voice! Our ability to experience the life and blessings of the Lord in our churches today depends on attentively hearing every word that flows from God’s mouth to our hearts.
1. To Know God’s Will
Every church leader faces this question: What does God expect me to do, and what am I to leave up to God to do? Where does my responsibility end and God’s begin?
On the one hand, the Scripture says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord” (Zech 4:6).
Some have suggested this teaches God will do it all by His Spirit and we need do nothing. On the other hand, Jesus said, ”
That servant who knew his Lord’s will, …neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes” (Luke 12:47).
This clearly illustrates that God expects His servants to understand His will and to actively pursue it. How do we navigate the balance between God’s sovereignty and a church leader’s duty to carry out His will?
This issue can be clarified by revisiting Jesus’ teaching: “That servant who knew his Lord’s will… yet did not act accordingly, shall be beaten with many stripes…” (Luke 12:47).
In contrast, the servant who was unaware of his Lord’s will “shall be beaten with few stripes” (verse 48). In both cases, punishment is inevitable—whether you are aware but do not act, or unaware and still fail to act. God desires church leaders who understand and fulfill His will.
The will of God defines the scope of our responsibilities. If we lack knowledge of His will, our judgment may be less severe, but we will still face consequences.
To fulfill God’s will, we need to understand it, and to understand it, we must listen for His voice. It’s that straightforward!
a. A Personal Testimony.
During my training as an evangelist, I would preach to nearly everyone I encountered, hoping to find someone willing to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
I had come across a book that provided an outline I felt compelled to follow. By sharing these four points with others, I believed I could guide someone toward salvation:
• All have sinned (Rom 3:23).
• The consequence of sin is eternal separation from God (Rom 6:23).
• Jesus took on the penalty for our sins on the cross (1 Pet 2:24).
• If you receive Jesus, you will be saved (John 1:12).
I sincerely believe that all of this is true; this is the essential knowledge needed for salvation. If someone believes with all their heart, they can experience rebirth through the Holy Spirit. However, throughout that entire summer, not a single person I spoke with chose to accept Jesus.
I began to wonder what I was doing wrong. I realized that I had relied too heavily on a formula and a method, rather than being guided by the Holy Spirit. I wasn’t attuned to God’s voice, which rendered my efforts ineffective.
Years later, I observed Brother Heeley as he led many people to Christ, and it became clear how misguided my approach had been. Wherever Brother Heeley went, he shared the gospel successfully.
Even when he needed a haircut, he would pray, “Lord, lead me to a barber who needs You and is open to receiving You.” He would drive past several barbershops, waiting for that inner prompting from the Spirit to guide him to the right one. Once he felt that nudge, he would enter the shop, confident he would lead the barber to Christ—and he was rarely unsuccessful.
Whether he was inflating a bicycle tire or shopping for his wife, Brother Heeley consistently sought the Holy Spirit’s guidance, listening for God’s gentle direction. He frequently encountered individuals ready to embrace a Savior, simply by being attentive to the Spirit’s leading. One day, I asked him,
“What method do you use when speaking to others, Brother Heeley?” He replied, “I don’t use a method. I wait for the Holy Spirit to guide my words.
I never say the same thing twice. The Lord helps me understand their needs and communicate with them in a caring, compassionate manner that shows I genuinely care.”
Originally from Canada, Brother Heeley hadn’t heard the gospel until after he turned 40, when he was led to Christ by an itinerant evangelist who displayed genuine concern for him. In turn, Brother Heeley travels across Canada, modeling the love and compassion he received and leading others to Christ. His secret? He listens and obeys God’s voice.
Since meeting Brother Heeley, I’ve sought to follow his example. I’ve found that if you earnestly desire to be led by God, He will guide you. Be attentive to His voice, and He will gently direct you to those who are in need of salvation and open to receiving a Savior. This principle applies not just to evangelism, but to every aspect of our ministry. So, what holds us back?
