John 10:3-5 (NIV) “… the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger…” 

Obstacles to hearing the voice of God

Obstacle 1 -  Busyness

Luke 10:41-42 (NIV) “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

 Obstacle 2 - Sin

Isaiah 59:2 (NIV) But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

Psalm 66:18 (NLT) If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

Acts 3:19 (NIV) Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…

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Obstacle 3 - Unforgiveness

Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV) “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” 

Obstacle 4 - Selfishness

James 4:3-4 (TPT) And if you ask, you won’t receive it for you’re asking with corrupt motives, seeking only to fulfill your own selfish desires. You have become spiritual adulterers who are having an affair, an unholy relationship with the world. Don’t you know that flirting with the world’s values places you at odds with God?...

How to position myself to hear God’s voice?

1.   Create space and a place to hear God’s voice

Psalm 46:10 (NIV) “Be still, and know that I am God”

Psalm 46:10 (NASB) “Cease striving and know that I am God” 

 2.   Honor God’s Word

Psalm 119:105 (NIV) Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

3.   Be faithful

Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Luke 11:28 (NIV) “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

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