Some of us have “problem” areas when it comes to hearing God’s voice and really knowing what He said. We may feel comfortable with certain topics, but when we try to hear what God is saying in other areas, it feels like our discernment doesn’t kick in, and we have a much harder time.
Why is discernment sometimes like that, and how can we get better in the areas that give us trouble now?
We can have blind spots
We will have difficulty discerning in any area where we have emotional issues, “pet” theologies or our own opinions. We could have an abundant revelatory gift and an abundant discernment gift and be well practiced in both, but the specific topic God is addressing is one that we have already made a judgment about, and so we don’t apply discernment in that instance.
For example, I like the New York Jets. If I think God told me that the New York Jets are going to win the Super Bowl, I may not be discerning about that. I would likely assume it means what I want it to mean, without seeking God for greater clarity.
In the same way, if I have an opinion about a political party or the president, it will be much harder for me to be discerning in related areas because I have already decided that such-and-such is true.
Again, we will have difficulty discerning in any area where we have opinions, judgments, woundings, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc. Every time we cling to these things, we are essentially saying, “In this area, I am choosing not to be discerning.” In most cases, we could be more discerning if we wanted to be.
What is God doing?
On the other hand, our level of discernment could shift simply because God wants it to in that given moment. He could give us great discernment in a brand new area where we have no practice, or, depending on what He is doing, there could be times when He “covers our ears” and keeps Himself hidden.
Perhaps you are good at giving advice. People share their problems with you, and you faithfully use the discernment God gives you to help them. Usually, you are able to tell the people what they need to hear, but this one specific time, your discernment is completely off. Your advice doesn’t help the person at all, and he or she makes a wrong decision.
Your level of discernment in that instance isn’t necessarily because you’ve done something wrong. God either gives us grace, or He shuts our ears. It is His prerogative to do both. In this sort of situation, all we can do is ask Him why and use our discernment to grow.
Discernment needs to be developed
The revelatory gift and the discernment gift do not always align with one another. We could have a profound revelatory gift and not as much discernment, or we could have a large discernment gift and not as much revelation.
If we have discovered that our discernment is weak in certain areas and we want to improve, we need to do two things: We need to practice receiving revelation in those specific areas, and we need to practice receiving discernment for that revelation.
How do we practice receiving discernment? A very simple way to do this is by taking back to God everything He reveals to us. What does this mean? Is this really from You? What are You saying here? And then we listen for His answers.
Discernment comes by reason of use (Hebrews 5:14). So if we practice receiving from Him, we will improve in our gifts.
We will always have what we need
The people who have an abundance of discernment typically are those who also have the ability to help others grow in discernment. Some people have great revelatory gifts and just enough discernment to be wise in what they’re receiving from God. Other people have substantial gifts in discernment that are greater than their revelatory gifts so that they can help other people. Again, both gifts should be developed, and we do this through practice.
One thing we can know for certain: God will always give us what we need, so in any situation, we can trust that we will have enough discernment to stay out of trouble, so to speak. He will either speak to us directly or through someone we can choose to listen to.
If we practice listening to Him and are consistently open to hearing what He has to say, we can move forward with confidence.
The Why do I have trouble hearing clearly from God? by Jim Driscoll, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Thank you for sharing this! It answers something that has bothered me for a long time – thank you!!
i had a dream last night , i saw a young man holding ACPE forms in an envelop. Does it mean i wiill be registered?I had applied for membership
Thank you so much for this article and all the articles you write. I have been blessed by reading them.
I would like to ask you to please pray for complete healing for my mother, Pat Landerman. Two days ago she was diagnosed with cancer. I am believing God for a miracle!! Thank you for you prayers!
In Christ,
Elizabeth
Jim, thanks so much for what you do and impart to the body. I had the priviledge of visiting Bob Jones’s home one Wed. during the time he was having people come over to discuss the things of GOD. Since he married Bonnie that has ceased. But, during this session Bob shared with me that I was called to be a seer prophet able to hear GOD with all 5 of my senses. I need help developing this. At that time we lived in South Carolina, in Manning. We lived 2 hours from Bob and i couldn’t make those sessions on a regular basis and now we are living in Richmond, Va. We’ve been here for 9 months now. Can you help me?
Thanks for your help.
thanks so much i needed this.
Every time I hear from the LORD I fall into reasoning it away. The reasoning is so strong at that time that I don’t even realize that is what I am doing until I look back. Then hindsight is 20/20. How do I break this, ‘Oh that was just me syndrome?’ I tried just doing everything that I think but it did not work to well. For example there was one night I had this profound presences in my room, I saw a flash of light, I felt something but I convinced myself it was nothing and rolled over and went to sleep. the next morning I know I had an angel in my room. I woke up thinking about the scripture the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. I missed what ever was going on because I had reasoned it away.
Thank you
Thanks for the reminder re the paras pasted below.
We can have blind spots
We will have difficulty discerning in any area where we have emotional issues, “pet” theologies or our own opinions. We could have an abundant revelatory gift and an abundant discernment gift and be well practiced in both, but the specific topic God is addressing is one that we have already made a judgment about, and so we don’t apply discernment in that instance.
Again, we will have difficulty discerning in any area where we have opinions, judgments, woundings, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc. Every time we cling to these things, we are essentially saying, “In this area, I am choosing not to be discerning.” In most cases, we could be more discerning if we wanted to be.
Blessing upon blessing…..Claudine
Thank You – this was simple and easy to understand – something I needed!
Thank you for this lesson. This issue has been one of personal contention, and after reading this I have a better sense of direction and encouragement to press into God more.
Thank you!
Jim,
You had prophesied over us that we would be in a season of abundant blessing. Since we left the Southeast and have come to Montana, our church has gone from 200 to 750 in three years. If you have the time, could you call me at 406.750.7200?
Blessings,
Nick Gough
Senior Pastor
Faith Center
http://www.efaithcenter.com
I needed this! thanks!
In counselling we learn to withhold judgement and assumption in order to fully understand the counsellees’ perspective. We also learn to address our own woundedness, so that we are able to be present for the other person. What you’re saying makes a lot of sense-but it didn’t occur to me! Thanks for your post Jim.
i really got the point where you mention “he will either speak to us directly or through someone we can ‘choose’ to listen to. I have problems listening to my husband. we have suffered extreme trauma through out our 17 years of marriage in the areas of great financial loss because of addiction and alcoholism. so many things were spoken by us to one another that were not godly, and it has affected me greatly in honoring him. i have really made it a point to seek The Voice of God on this issue for i do not like what i have become: Angry and bitter. i really have heard God today during a bible study i was listening to. It is true that He will speak but we must be willing to accept His truth and His tatics/strategies. I now see where it is coming from…the pit of hell. I also have learned today how to fight against this demonic principality. God said that He saw satan fall from Heaven like lightening, in this situation. That i have the power over all darkness that tries to come against me. To speak His words for they are like thunder and will knock them from their high place to a place of nothingness. AMEN. I have won.Yea.
Perfect practice makes perfect is what I recall after reading through this. We must be humble and teachable, hungry. Then we can learn better to discern.
I fell away from God about 15 yrs. ago and I felt that I was very close to God. They prophesied over me and told me I had desernment of spirits and I do see shadows and feel them. It seems like my gifts are not where I used to be 15 yrs. ago. I am wanting to get back there. I am seeking God and reading the word and also going to church. I feel like He has called me to preach and I have not pursued it. I am pursuing it now through this church I am at now. I am praying that gods will be done. I also was spoken over 2 times by two different preachers that I have the gift of healing. Some people have been healed and some not. God use to give me strong insight now Its not. I know god has not changed so I must have. What can I do besides what I am doing? I know God does not take gifts from you or does he? please respond thanks
I am truly blessed and encouraged every time I read the articles here on Stir the Water. This article gives me hope in the areas that I am weak in and encourages me to press on even when it seems that much of this comes naturally to others. I know that others are not to be my measuring stick but I do put my feelers out there to see if I am on track with God. I don’t want to assume that because I have great interest in something that this is what God has for me. Much of this is taking a lot of practice and hard work. By God’s grace I will keep working on this prophetic insight until He comes.