While pastoring on campus several years ago, one of our members shared a testimony about her exam experience. According to her, “In the midst of my examination, I got stuck. Then, Pastor’s voice sounded in my ears, and that was my opening to the divine direction I needed for the exam. I came out excellently well.”
Friend, learning to follow God’s voice is enhanced by learning to hear the voices of fathers and authority figures in your life (1 Samuel 3:9). You cannot claim to hear the voice of the invisible God if you don’t listen to the voices of visible authority figures in your life.
God uses the voices of authority figures – parents, pastors, destiny fathers, etc. – to culture your spirit and position you for His own voice (1 Samuel 3:4-5). Sometimes, when Christians claim that they are hearing God’s voice without active submission to the voice of their divinely placed shepherds, they are listening to strange voices.
There is a connection between your openness to your teachers’ voices and your ability to tap into divine leading (Isaiah 30:20-21). Who’s that person that God has positioned to open you up to His communication? What’s your posture, positioning, disposition, and response to that person?
If you are the type that does not pay attention to the written word (Bible), you are unlikely to hear the spoken word, God’s voice (Psalms 29:3, Isaiah 8:19-20). If you are disobedient to the physical shepherd (local church pastor), don’t claim you are following Jesus, the Chief Shepherd (Hebrews 13:7, 17).
Samuel became a major prophet hearing from God and speaking for God by being open and obedient to Eli’s voice. For you to have the tongue of the learned, you must have the heart of a listener and a follower (Isaiah 50:4-6). May you recognize your teachers and respond appropriately today.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria