How to Know When You Are Hearing From God (And When You Are Not)

“My sheep hear my voice . . . and they follow me.” John 10:27

Have you ever heard someone say that they heard from God? I certainly believe that it can happen. The Bible says that the LORD doesn’t change, so what He did in Bible days, He can still do today. But sometimes people think they’ve heard from God when they really have not heard from Him at all, but have been deceived. The Bible tells us that as the end approaches, many will come “in His Name” who are really not His representatives, and they will deceive many . . . perhaps even those we thought were the “very elect!”

Jesus said, “. . . Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many . . . insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.” Matthew 24:4-5, 11, 24-25

We would do well to heed this solemn warning from the Master!

“Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived . . .” Deuteronomy 11:16-17

I believe this is one of the most important topics of the day. Deceivers abound in this dark and evil day, and we must be on our guard. Don’t think for a moment that you cannot be deceived. You most certainly can be deceived if you are not careful! If not for Him who is able to keep us from falling, even the best among us would fall!

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith . . .” 1 Peter 5:8-9

The enemy of your soul has been deceiving God’s people for thousands of years. Even the seasoned Christian of 70 or 80 years is still no match for him, and must always be on his guard!

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11

An identifying mark of every deceiver and false prophet is that he tries to convince Christians that God said something that He really didn’t say — or that God didn’t mean what He said. The whole point is to bring doubt, and cause God’s people to not trust His Word. This is the tactic the serpent used to beguile Eve. When God’s people are smitten with a deception, they become “enlightened” and begin to they think they know everything. The deception becomes their standard, not God’s Written Word. Now, say they, God writes His Word on their hearts, so there is no need for the Written Word. The Bible does say that God will write His Word on our hearts . . . but that Word will always line up with HIS WRITTEN WORD!! If it doesn’t — it’s not God!

Conclusion

So we must know God’s Word and keep it in our heart. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

When you think you have heard from God, ask yourself these questions.