Romans 8:12-17
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.”

We are not to be led by:

  • Our feelings/flesh (Saul’s tormenting spirit)

  • Opportunity (David’s opportunity to kill Saul)

  • Natural knowledge (didn’t make sense for Moses to move towards the Red Sea)

  • Money (parable of the talents)


Some principles to remember:

  1. God is not that hard to find.

    1. Jeremiah 29:13, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

    2. Romans 1:20, “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

    3. When you have this understanding, you listen differently.

  2. Obedience plays a HUGE role.

    1. We are children of God, and must obey our Father, but we are not fearful slaves. (hand & forehead idea, Exodus 13:16, “a mark branded on your hand or forehead”)

    2. Exodus 4:24-26

  3. You HAVE to be in the Word.

    1. You can’t know what He would say, until you know what He has said.

  4. It’s not a formula, it’s a practice.

    1. It’s not usually head knowledge, but heart or spirit.

    2. God has MANY ways of speaking, don’t get too focused on one way or another.

  5. God often gives wisdom, not just answers.

    1. He shows more often than He tells. (Abraham & Isaac, Moses at the Red Sea, Jesus & Peter on the beach)

    2. God usually lead me to the right questions to ask , not the answers.

    3. The parables of Jesus.

  6. God places us in community, not isolation.

    1. Proverbs 11:14, “Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.”

    2. Samuel and Eli, 1 Samuel 3 (vs. 8 So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy.) Sometimes we need someone further along to give us a nudge.

  7. It’s a skill.

    1. Skills can be learned with training and practice!

    2. Hebrews 5:14, “Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.”

The Spiritual Disciplines

  1. How can we practice listening to His voice this week?

  2. Which spiritual discipline are you going to try this week?

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