5 False Assumptions about Hearing from God
One of the most sought-after but misunderstood topics in the Bible is how to hear from God and know His will. We all want to know what God's plans are for us, which is why books on hearing from God are always so popular.
Every book written about hearing God's voice and knowing His will deals with the right ways of doing so. This article will explore the other side of the issue, that is, the wrong ways of discerning God's specific will for our lives.
Here are five common false assumptions about hearing from God and knowing His will:
1. God's will is the first door that opens
The first false assumption we fall into is that the first door that opens must represent the will of God. After praying about something, in our impatience, we rush toward the first door that opens. It seems like the obvious choice because it is the first choice to present itself after we have prayed. But Scripture shows that the first door to open is not necessarily the one God wants us to walk through.
In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel goes to Jesse's house to anoint the next king of Israel. After seeing seven of Jesse's sons, the Lord revealed that none of them were chosen for the task. Only after the youngest son, David, was called in from the fields did Samuel find the right person. If Samuel had gone with the first son, Eliab, who was strong and impressive in stature, he would have chosen the wrong man.
“Scripture shows that the first door to open is not necessarily the one God wants us to walk through.”
Likewise, Elijah did not hear the voice of God in the wind, earthquake, or fire (1 Kings 19). But after these three events, he heard the voice of God in a whisper (1 Kings 19:12).
2. God's will is whatever is most beneficial for me
Another common false assumption is that God's will is always what is most beneficial for us. In the long term, yes, this is true, for God's will does include what is ultimately best for us. This includes the entire process of sanctification and glorification in eternity. But in the short term, this idea cannot be more untrue.
Even a cursory glance at the lives of the saints in Scripture shatters this expectation. Joseph spent years as a slave and in prison. Job lost his entire family and all his wealth. John the Baptist was beheaded, Jesus was crucified, and most of the Apostles were martyred. Those experiences were not beneficial from the standpoint of short-term worldly gain or physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness, but they were God's will.
3. God's will is for whatever makes me most productive
Sometimes we assume that what God wants for us is to be as productive as we can be at all times. While it is generally true that God wants us to be fruitful (Matt. 7:19), it is not true for every instance or season in life.
“For every believer, there comes a time when God wants us to take a time-out.”
For every believer, there comes a time when God wants us to take a time-out. This can happen for a number of reasons. Sabbath was instituted to remind people to take time off of work to worship and reflect on God. Typically, Sabbath rest is observed once every seven days, but God can call individuals to take an extended Sabbath rest lasting several weeks or even months. God also leads us into desert or wilderness periods—times of waiting or testing—as He did with the nation of Israel (Josh. 5:6), Elijah (1 Kings 17:2-6), Jesus (Matt. 4:1-2), and Paul (Gal. 1:17-18).
4. God's will is whatever leads to my greatest personal fulfillment
An important false assumption to identify is the notion that God is supremely interested in fulfilling our personal goals and dreams for us and that He will ensure that they become reality. Not only is this lazy thinking; it is also unbiblical. If it were true that God always ensures that our personal dreams and goals are fulfilled, there would be no such thing as failure or sacrifice.
Hebrews chapter 11 explains the truth of the matter with the gritty realism of an R-rated movie. Even though many saints in Scripture lived faithful lives, they did not experience complete fulfillment on earth. Rather, they experienced catastrophic failure and tragedy on a Shakespearean scale. The author of Hebrews explains that they were never meant to experience personal fulfillment in this life. In fact, their lack of fulfillment has a prophetic purpose that points toward a greater future fulfillment:
All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.
Hebrews 11:39-40 [Christian Standard Bible]
5. An unanswered prayer is a sign of God's indifference.
Not only do we tend to read too much into internal and external signs at times, but we also tend to read too much into the absence of signs. When we feel that God is not answering our prayers or providing any guidance, we assume that God is not interested in us or our concern.
“God's silence never equals indifference.”
However, there is not a single verse in all of Scripture that even hints at God possessing the qualities of indifference or aloofness. Quite the opposite; many verses show that God is keenly interested in the lives and the affairs of His people. From the moment of conception, our bodies are intricately and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14), and every hair on our heads are numbered by Him (Luke 12:7).
God's silence never equals indifference. As in all things, God has profound and righteous intentions toward us when He temporarily draws away from us (Hosea 2:14).
Conclusion
To be clear, there are times when God does open a door for us and leads us to a place of blessing, productivity, and fulfillment. God is a good Father who desires good things for His children (Matt. 7:11; James 1:17). But let us be equally clear that God's greatest will is for us to live for the advancement of His kingdom and not our own (Matt. 6:33). He speaks to us continuously through His Word (Heb. 4:12; 2 Tim. 3:16) and empowers us with the Holy Spirit to be witnesses for the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to pursue our own plans (Acts 1:8).
So let's live lives that are worthy of the gospel and seek His kingdom and His righteousness first. If we put Him first, He will take care of the dreams and desires of our hearts in His way, according to His riches, power, and wisdom.