Overcoming Blocks and Hindrances to Hearing God’s Voice - Part 1: “Drawing Near to God”

For most of us in a 20th-century rational culture, the greatest miracle of all is to learn to hear God's voice, clearly, plainly, and on an ongoing daily basis. Christians often debate whether this is even possible. However, those who have tasted communion with God know that not only is it possible, it satisfies the deepest longing of both the human heart and God's heart. For this reason we were created, to fellowship and commune with our Creator. Therefore, it is with arms wide open and faces aglow with the joy of His Son's light that we embrace the warmth of His companionship. Truly, the Morning Star has risen within our hearts and the prophetic word becomes clear to us (II Pet. 1:19).

However, some days we still experience strong, stormy gales that hinder our access to fellowship with the Father. In this article we want to talk about some of these storms, and discuss ways they can be tamed by the power of His Spirit and a knowledge of His ways. The original article posted on cluonline.org was too long for distribution. So, this version of the article was created for distribution. To read the more information about overcoming hindrances to hearing God’s voice, please go to:

http://www.cluonline.com/blockstoheargodsvoice.htm

Enter into His courts with Thanksgiving, clothing ourselves with Christ’s righteousness:
First of all, there is a basic approach laid out in the Bible for those who would draw near to God. It is found in the tabernacle experience. The one who wants to experience God in the Holy of Holies (one's spirit) must learn to live this tabernacle experience, which begins with the gate of salvation. We enter this gate with thanksgiving, clothing ourselves with the white raiment of righteousness which Christ has provided for us (Ps. 100:4; Is. 61:10).

Offer our lives as a living sacrifice:

We then come immediately upon a brazen altar, where we offer our lives as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God (Rom. 12:1). We do this not only at the point of salvation, but also as a daily experience, as we awaken each morning.

Look intently upon the Word and cleanse our lives in Bible meditation:

Next, we come before the laver, where we are washed with the washing of the water of the Word (Eph. 5:26). As we look intently upon the Word, we allow it to cleanse our lives, purifying our actions. Therefore, the pattern of regular Bible meditation becomes a part of our daily approach to God.

Fellowship with Others:

Then we enter the holy place, the realm of our souls, and God deals with our minds, wills and emotions. First we go to the table of showbread, a place where the priests ate together around a table. This represents the fellowship we enjoy in the family of God as we partake together of God's provision.

Examine the Word under the illumination of the Holy Spirit:

Next, we stop at the golden lampstand, made of beaten gold representing the cultivating of divine nature, and lit by oil, representing the illumination of the Holy Spirit. As we examine the Word under the illumination of the Holy Spirit, we find revelation knowledge pouring into our souls, transforming our lives and taking us even deeper into the presence of God (II Cor. 3:18).

Offer Continuous Praise:

We then move to the altar of incense, where we learn to offer continuous praise and worship unto the Most High God, the Maker of heaven and earth. As a fragrant aroma ascended perpetually from this altar, so our praise and worship ascends perpetually before the nostrils of the Lord (Ps. 141:2).

Direct Fellowship

Now we are ready to ascend directly into His manifest presence, fixing our gaze upon His glory and speaking face-to-face and mouth-to-mouth with the Most High God. (Heb. 10:19,20).

It is in this manner that God has prepared a way for us to enter before Him and fellowship with His Holy Spirit. The way is clearly established in the Old Covenant and torn open for all to partake in the New Covenant. Now, when storms and gales hinder our access before the King of Kings, we can go back and re-walk the path which He has prepared for us.

If we have difficulty hearing God’s voice, we can ask:

1. Am I singing in thankfulness for the robe of righteousness which He has allowed me to put on? Do I see myself wearing it? Do I see myself cleansed and spotless before the King?

2. Have I laid down my will in all matters this day, and sought only the will and purposes of the Father in all areas?

3. Am I being washed daily by the constant application of the Word of God in my life?

4. Is my heart full of love for those in the body of Christ, with whom I live? Have I closed off my heart to any Christian brother? Have I allowed my will to be ground fine before my brothers?

5. Am I prayerfully pondering the Word and waiting before the Holy Spirit, allowing revelation knowledge to illumine my life?

6. Am I a constant worshiper? Has all grumbling been replaced with worshipping in my life? Do I dwell only on that which is pure, good, honest?

7. Do I stand, fixing my gaze on the manifest glory of Almighty God, receiving His spontaneous ideas, visions, and feelings?

In part two of this article, I will talk about how to we can continue to break down the barriers that hinder us from hearing God by fine tuning our hearts to God’s voice.

Watch for Part Two of this article:

“Overcoming Blocks and Hindrances to Hearing God’s Voice - Part 2: Fine Tuning Our Hearts”