Hearing the voice of God changes your life forever. But how do you know when you are hearing God when it’s a big decision?

It is dangerous to make a major move or change jobs on just one dream or vague impression from God. Sometimes, people won’t do anything at all because they’re afraid of making mistakes or doing something in their own strength.

There is a balance when hearing God – it takes time and practice to hear clearly and consistently.

Unfortunately, when you can’t figure out what God is saying, it costs you valuable time and heartache. Let me give you some powerful pointers I’ve learned over the years that will help you.

Open door

A mistake Christians make in trying to hear God for guidance in decisions is by using the “open door” strategy. People pray that God will close all doors of opportunity except the one they should go through.

This works sometimes. But it doesn’t always happen that way with God. Why? Because God wants us to become mature in our decision-making. He will give us choices to train us. It’s like the way an earthly father helps his children. As a parent, you can’t make decisions for your kids all their life, or they never grow up. A better way to pray is that God will give you the wisdom to know which opportunity or door to take.

Fleece technique

Another way Christians try to know what God’s will is by using the “fleece technique” from Judges 6. Here Gideon asked God for a sign that God was with him. Gideon put a fleece of wool on the ground and asked God to confirm what he should do by making the fleece wet from dew and the ground dry overnight. Sure enough, the next morning he found it wet while the ground dry. So Gideon knew God had answered him.

It is possible for God to answer these types of prayers: “God, if it is your desire for me to do this, then make this happen…” Again, God wants us to become mature in our decision-making. Eventually God may not answer one of these prayers and you will need to rely on other means to determine His will.

Peace

I found that since the Holy Spirit is now in us, unlike in Gideon’s day, we now can know God’s will by the amount of peace we have. God’s will always comes with His peace. Peace is the best fleece!

If you have a major decision to make, be sure to get confirmation in several forms. Also, the greater the risk or cost of the decision, the more you will want to hear God clearly with peace. If you are stuck and afraid of making a mistake, realize that fear is not from God but you will still want to breakthrough.

– Doug Addison
www.dougaddison.com
inLight Connection

Doug Addison is a prominent conference speaker captivating audiences with clean stand-up comedy and high energy prophetic messages which he has shared on television, radio and the internet for over a decade. Doug brings laughter, fun and a unique prophetic style while empowering people to transform their lives, discover their destiny and understand dreams, tattoos and piercings. His powerful messages stay with his audiences long after hearing him.