One man of God made a statement in one of his books that has remained stuck with me; “A lot of believers are already in the will of God without knowing.” As I ruminate on that statement, it dawned on me that the problem is that most believers don’t trust God’s leading in their lives. They are expecting God to speak to them instead of asking Him to lead them.
Friend, God has promised to lead you (Isaiah 48:17). But His leading does not always come with speaking. This is one area where a lot of people are getting it wrong and confused. They claim that God has not led them because they did not hear His voice. They expect that God must speak to them audibly. If they have not heard God audibly on a matter, they have not been divinely led (Acts 16:6-7).
Sometimes, when pastors say that God spoke to them, members must understand that it does not always mean that they heard an audible voice (Luke 4:1). It may mean that a scripture was quickened in their spirit. It may mean that they have had an impression on their heart or spirit on a matter. It may also mean that they had an inner witness (Romans 8:16).
The difference between you and your pastor is that he has come to have faith in divine communications (Acts 16:10). Perhaps due to growth, maturity, exposures, and experience, he has learnt to trust the leading of the Holy Spirit even when it does not come spectacularly. Until you have faith in divine communications, you would struggle to know God’s mind for you (Habakkuk 2:4).
God does not always lead spectacularly, but He leads supernaturally (Romans 8:14). All spectacular leadings are supernatural, but not all supernatural leadings are spectacular. Spectacular leading is not superior to supernatural leading. In fact, it can be dangerous; most people miss it here. Don’t be overly obsessed with spectacular leading (Isaiah 8:19-20).
There’s no point crying to God to show you visions at night when He has already spoken to you by His word (Psalm 119:105, Hebrews 1:1-2). While you are waiting for an audible voice, the Holy Spirit is already impressing thoughts on your heart. Instead of looking for prophecies, you already have the inner witness of the Holy Spirit in your heart or spirit (Acts 20:23). The more you walk with God, the more you should trust His leading.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria