God Speaks Through Supernatural Revelation Sometimes God transcends the laws of nature and speaks to us through supernatural revelation. There is nothing more supernatural than the Word of God, which is given to us by divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit speaking through His prophets and disciples. The Bible has an answer for every question we might ever have. The Word of God is full of life principles, true stories of God’s mercy toward human behavior, and rich parables filled with important truths for every individual on earth. Anyone who wants to hear God’s voice must be a student of the Word. Of all the other ways that God may speak to us, He will never contradict the written Word, which was originally referred to by the Greek word logos. His spoken Word is called the rhema. God specifically brings to our remembrance His logos for every situation. His rhema may not be word for word in the Bible, but the principle will always be supported in the written Word. The Bible confirms whether or not what we are sensing is of God. For example, the written Word of God, the logos Word, doesn’t tell us when to buy a new car or what type of car to buy; we may need a spoken or revealed word (a rhema) from God concerning that. Even though the written Word gives no specific instruction on the buying of an automobile, it does say a lot about wisdom. Therefore, if I need a car, and if I believe I am hearing God tell me to buy a certain car, yet the car costs more than I can afford and would mean years of deep debt that would place my family in bondage, I should have enough common sense (wisdom) to know the voice I think I am hearing is not God’s. There are many voices that speak to our thoughts, and our own is one of them. I have discovered when I desire something in a strong way, it is easy for me to think God is telling me to get it. For this reason we must always check to see if we have peace and if what we are doing is wise. The Bible is written as a personal letter to each of us. God speaks to us, ministers to our needs, and directs us in the way we should go in His written Word. He tells us what we should do and how we should live. Sometimes a Scripture will seem illuminated or made alive in a particular way, and that is when a portion of the logos becomes a specific rhema to us. The Word is made alive as though God just spoke it into our ears. There may be times when God speaks something to us that is outside a specific chapter and verse of the Bible, but it will always be in agreement with His Word. For example, the Bible doesn’t tell us where to work, but God will speak to us if we seek Him. If we think we can hear clearly from God without spending time in the Word, we are mistaken. Listening for God’s voice without being dedicated to spending time in the Word on a regular basis opens us up to hearing voices that are not from God. Knowing the written Word protects us from deception. Trying to hear from God without reading His Word is irresponsible and even dangerous. People who want to be led by the Spirit, but who are too lazy to spend time in the Word or time in prayer, set themselves up for easy deception. There are many evil spirits ready to whisper lies to a listening ear. Some people only come to God when they are in trouble and need help. But if they are not used to hearing from God, they will find it difficult to recognize His voice when they really need Him. Even Jesus resisted Satan’s lies by answering, “It is written” (see Luke 4). Any idea, or prompting, or thought that comes to us needs to be compared to the Word of God. All vain imaginations are to be cast down and ignored (see 2 Corinthians 10:5), but knowledge of the Word is of vital importance in discerning the voice of God. Many people feel they are too busy to read the Word, but if that is true, they are just plain too busy. A surprising number of people who work in ministry use their fulltime service as an excuse for not devoting personal time to reading the Word and fellowshipping with God. They feel their service for Him is spending time with Him. We are all to work as unto the Lord, regardless of whether or not our job is classified as ministry. If we are going to be fit to work for God, we must always spend time with God, reading His Word, and praying to Him. Anyone working in ministry is a sure target of the enemy and needs the protection of the written Word even more than others. The apostle Paul tells us: Knowing the written Word protects us from deception. For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) If we don’t know the Word, we won’t have anything with which to compare the theories and arguments that make war against God’s perfect will for us. The devil can present wild ideas that make sense to us, but just because something seems logical to us doesn’t necessarily mean it is from God. We may hear what we want to hear, but it doesn’t necessarily mean we have heard from God. An idea can feel good to our emotions but fail to give us peace when it isn’t in line with God’s Word. Commit time each day just to read the Word. You may enjoy a certain reading plan. I enjoy The Amplified Bible because it explains the meaning of important words. It is also good to read various versions of the Bible for new insight. There are wonderful reference books available to provide background history of the Word and the cultural implications from the time period in which the Scriptures were written. The important thing is just to read. God can bring to life the answers that are hidden in the pages of His written Word for any trial you may face.