Hindrances to Hearing

Sometimes we can feel like God's voice is as hard to discern as Charlie Brown's teachers. We think He's talking, but it's in some code, and we're clueless about how to decipher it. I hope that this week has dispelled some of that. But the reality is, there are still times we're not sure what He is saying—or if He is saying anything at all.

I want to be abundantly clear—when I say "hear God's voice", I am not talking about audibly, or even some supernatural feeling—God works in ordinary means. I mean the ability to discern His will for your life, beyond what He has clearly revealed in Scripture. Think decision-making, not seeing some vision in the sky.

An uncomfortable truth is that sometimes we don’t hear because we're doing (or not doing) something that needs to change.

Romans 12:1-2 and Hebrews 5:14 show us that we do have a part to play in this. We need to be in God’s word and apply it to grow in our discernment. But I want to be careful; I don’t want anyone to think it’s totally up to them to figure out God’s will, as if we must somehow make Him speak. Simply that sin and other issues can clog our ears, as it were.

This won't be an exhaustive list, but I want to list a few key things that can certainly hinder our ability to "hear" God's voice.

1. You're Not a Christian

   
   

This might go without saying, but it's an important thing to note. In John 10:4-5, Jesus said His sheep hear His voice. Until you hear His voice leading to salvation, you shouldn't expect to hear anything else.

2. Blatant Sin

In Psalm 66:18, the Psalmist recognizes that harboring sin breaks his communication with God. It's not as if God physically can't hear our prayers, but when we are unrepentant, we need to confess that sin before worrying about what else He might be saying.

3. Are You Seeking His Glory and His Will?

We can hold onto our own dreams and plans so much that we choke out what God actually wants for us. He knows our needs and promises to provide as we seek His kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). This life is not about us or our comforts, but God and His glory. Our prayers need to be aligned with His will (1 John 5:14). We should want His will over our own.

4. Are You Praying?

Another one that sounds like it should go without saying. But we're all guilty on occasion of trudging along without actually consulting God. We're to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). And we should pray for a whole host of things, including others (1 Timothy 2:1). If you want to hear God, you must pray.

5. Are You in Fellowship?

Like prayer, fellowship with other believers is another means of grace God has given us. Other Christians are often vessels that God uses to speak into our lives. When we neglect fellowship, we're neglecting the gifts of encouragement, correction, prayer, and wisdom from the body of Christ (Hebrews 10:24-25).

6. Submission to Elders

Elders of a church are fallible men, but they are another gift God has given to speak into our lives. When it aligns with Scripture, their authority blesses a congregation (Hebrews 13:17).  So, we should be in a Biblical church under godly elders.

7. Are you Neglecting the Scriptures?

If you don’t want to hear God speak into your life, then don’t read the Bible. But we do want Him to, and so we read it. It is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and it contains what we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

8. We Grieve the Holy Spirit

When we choose to walk in the flesh and grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), we hinder our ability to hear God speak. I realize that this falls under the category of sin, but I still felt it important to note. We're to walk according to the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

9. We Doubt God

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). When we doubt His character, we're in effect calling Him a liar. This is a sure-fire way to clog our ears and keep us from hearing Him. But He also promises to reward those who seek Him.

10. We're Unforgiving

Another sin issue, but an important one to recognize. If we harbor bitterness and anger towards others, why should God speak to us (Matthew 6:14-15)?

Conclusion

Again, this is not an exhaustive nor definitive list. Many things can hinder our ability to discern God’s will. God works in ordinary means—hearing His voice is not a matter of dreams and visions, but of living the Christian life and applying His word while we prayerfully submit to the work of the Spirit. When we sin, when we deny the means of grace, and when we ignore His word, we cut ourselves off from His voice. Hopefully this list helps clear some of that up, as you seek to live according to God's will.

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