I Can't Talk to You...unless!
To know and hear God's voice, Christians must be willing to get honest with God about their actions and heart, and give up hidden idols before receiving direction and guidance.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of recognizing and listening to God's voice, noting that many Christians have silenced it over time due to distractions and misconceptions. He stresses that before God provides direction in our lives, He first calls us to a place of cleansing, addressing hidden sins and idols in our hearts. Wilkerson reminds us that God desires to be our guide and protector, but this requires honesty and a willingness to let go of our burdens and grudges. The sermon encourages believers to seek a deeper relationship with God by confronting their inner struggles and aligning their hearts with His commandments.
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Sadly, great numbers of Christians do not know God's voice. Some can go for months, even years, without ever receiving an intimate word from the Lord in their inner man. Oh, God did speak to them at one time. But over the years, they've learned to silence his voice in their hearts. Others have been turned off by so much foolishness among those who believe that every word that pops into their minds is divine. Such people boast, "God told me"--yet the "word" they hear is only their covetous flesh taking voice!
If you want to know and hear God's voice in the days ahead, be ready to have him speak of cleansing before he speaks of direction. Many Christians want God to tell them how to hold on to what they've earned, how to provide for their family, how to keep their business or career afloat. But the truth is, before God gives us a word of direction in any of these matters, he'll speak to us about his commandments.
"These things I command you, that ye love one another" (John 15:17). God will first speak to you about your actions at home with your wife and children--about your quick temper, your grudges, your unforgiving spirit. He'll point out every hidden, secret thing in your life--and he'll lovingly tell you, "I want to be your adviser, your counselor, your guide, your protector, your provider. I want to walk with you through every trial and hardship. And I want to favor, bless and keep you by my Spirit. But first, you have to get honest with me about the hidden idols in your heart. Right now you're holding on to them--but you must give them up! We simply can't walk together unless we agree on these matters of your heart!"
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Unknowing God's Voice
- The Requirement for Hearing God's Voice
- The Process of Getting Honest with God
- The Result of Walking with God
- God becomes our adviser, counselor, guide, protector, provider
- God favors, blesses, and keeps us by His Spirit
- Agreement on matters of the heart is necessary
- 2. Being turned off by false claims of hearing God's voice
Key Quotes
“These things I command you, that ye love one another (John 15:17)” — David Wilkerson
“I want to be your adviser, your counselor, your guide, your protector, your provider. I want to walk with you through every trial and hardship.” — David Wilkerson
“We simply can't walk together unless we agree on these matters of your heart!” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Be willing to get honest with God about your actions and heart.
- Give up hidden idols in your heart to walk with God.
- Prioritize loving one another as commanded by God (John 15:17).