Silencing the Voice of God

In the Bible faithful men listened to the voice of God and obeyed it. When Samuel was just a boy he was enrolled into the service of Eli, the prophet. One night Samuel heard a voice call to him three times. He thought it was the voice of his master, Eli (1 Samuel 3:1-8). Eli, however, recognized that Samuel was hearing the voice of God. His advice to Samuel was clear: “… if He calls you … you must say: Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears” (v. 9).

God no longer speaks to individuals directly, the way He once did. Today, God speaks to us through His Son whose words are recorded in the Bible (Hebrews 1:1; 1 Corinthians 14:37). However, although God’s method of communication to mankind has changed, it is still vital that men say, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.” Unfortunately, in the 21st century, few people actually listen to God’s voice anymore.

People silence the voice of God in favor of their own opinions. People justify doctrinal variations and denominational creeds by saying, “God spoke to my heart.” What people are really doing is equating their own desires and opinions with the will of God. They believe that their strong feelings and opinions amount to God speaking directly to them. If individuals by the millions all claim to hear the voice of God telling them to do things not taught in the Bible, there can be no standard right and wrong. Every man will do what is right in his own eyes and the voice of God is effectively silenced (Judges 17:6). Only the inspired, written word of God unites people into one faith (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Millions of people now silence the voice of God in favor of popular cultural opinion. God condemned the practice of calling “evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20), and yet every day brings new proof that good and evil have been flip-flopped by society. For example, the Bible condemns homosexuality as “vile passions” and “against nature” (Romans 1:26-27). This Bible fact could not be clearer, and yet popular cultural opinion praises homosexuality as a commendable lifestyle. Those who adopt this position do not care what the voice of God (the Bible) has said on the subject, they only care that they are in line with current cultural opinion. They are “wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight” (Isaiah 5:21). Those who believe the Bible and stand for its teachings are accused of hate. No, we love God and His word, and we love men and women enough to tell them the truth.

Folks, God is able to speak for Himself, and He has done so in the pages of the Bible. We are not at liberty to change His words to suit us. If anyone truly loves God, he must join Samuel and say, “Speak Lord, for your servant hears.”

David Weaks

Bible Lectureship

(March 17-20, 2024)

prayer study book

We would love to have you as our guest! 

Register below for the event, and we’ll also send you a prayer e-devotional. Our gift to you.