God's voice

[Monica4316]

I’ve been thinking about something

I know that it’s rare that God ‘speaks’ to people directly… usually He speaks to us through our conscience, through the Church, etc.

but we know there are stories of Saints who had interior locutions, etc, so we know He also sometimes speaks in different ways.

I’m wondering if there’s anything in the lives of the Saints, or perhaps in your own experience, - is God’s ‘voice’ more like something in the mind, or in the heart? is it like a voice speaking to you in your mind, or more like a peaceful feeling you get about something? I realize that none of this is infallible and all needs to be discerned and we shouldn’t rely on feelings and experiences. I’m just wondering what the Church would say on this

thanks

 

[Bookcat]

There are various kinds of Locutions…but they are extraordinary phenomena that we do not seek of course…

Such should as you say…be submitted to a spiritual director if such should occur.

 

[Trishie]

We have the gospels and epistles, and should become familiar with them as our guideline, along with the teaching of the Church.
In the gospels Jesus who is God incarnate has spoken to us, to me, to you to each person.
In the Church, the Holy Spirit speaks.
Yet we look for more, sometimes without opening the gospels often enough, and without having much knowledge of the Church’s teachings, and sometimes also without reading the wisdom of the saints!
May God help us to study and listen to God in the gospel, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the encyclicals etc God has given for you, me, everyone!

And in the end, Jesus sums up the whole law and the gospel with love God above all and others as ourselves, and this is God’s fundamental word to us.

God bless and grant you peace and happiness.

 

[Monica4316]

Thanks, well I’m just wondering, does God’s voice always bring peace?

 

[poetryforjesus]

Thanks, well I’m just wondering, does God’s voice always bring peace?

I’d say yes, if we are willing to accept it. Remember Jonah, who heard God’s voice and rebelled? Didn’t bring peace to him!

I find that often times I’m like a baby, although hearing God’ voice but doing so vaguely and at the same time struggling with a lot of inner confusion, therefore not really knowing what to do with God’ voice or myself. It’s just part of growing up. The most important thing, I think, is to persevere in doing good, doing what we know for sure pleases God. Gradually God will help us mature and hear Him more clearly and answer Him more resolutely.

 

[JRKH]

I’ve been thinking about something

I know that it’s rare that God ‘speaks’ to people directly… usually He speaks to us through our conscience, through the Church, etc.

but we know there are stories of Saints who had interior locutions, etc, so we know He also sometimes speaks in different ways.

I’m wondering if there’s anything in the lives of the Saints, or perhaps in your own experience, - is God’s ‘voice’ more like something in the mind, or in the heart? is it like a voice speaking to you in your mind, or more like a peaceful feeling you get about something? I realize that none of this is infallible and all needs to be discerned and we shouldn’t rely on feelings and experiences. I’m just wondering what the Church would say on this

thanks

Short anser is it can be both.
I did have one experience that I believe to have been “God’s Voice” - very clear, very distinctly in my head, as if someone spoke directly into my mind.
It related to my wife, her illness, and my worries about caring for her. The voice simply said, “She’s mine, I’ll take care of her”. clear, clean and peaceful.
My life has been better ever since

Peace
James

 

[Sirach2]

JRKH:

I did have one experience that I believe to have been “God’s Voice” - very clear, very distinctly in my head, as if someone spoke directly into my mind.

I agree with you James. And I also note that this manner of hearing God is rare. Usually the words are well-chosen and brief, but carry much power to bring peace, joy, assurance, insight, etc. One that I remember distinctly was when I asked Jesus a question, not really expecting to “hear” anything, of course. The answer came as a verse of scripture which I could never have imagined as I asked that question, and with it came immediate knowledge of the situation.

It is true that we hear as though it were our own thoughts in our mind, but we are “listening” rather than thinking them or composing them. The effects will be known immediately. I’m speaking about formal locutions now.

As for informal ones, the Holy Spirit may send “inspiration” to us without distinct words. When we are habitually indwelt by Him, it is like a friend peacefully speaking to us. St. Ignatius tells us in Spiritual Exercises that we can know the source of these inspirations by their “hard sell and soft sell.” He states:

“Promptings which lead toward a good objective come into play as softly, gently and quietly as a drop of water soaking into a damp sponge. But an evil suggestion or impulse enters importunately on the scene like a noisy downpour of rain on the street.”

“And the opposite is true of those whose spiritual life is presently degenerating. The obvious reason for this is the similarity – or difference – between our own mentality or attitude and the suggestion or impulse itself. An influence contrary to our present disposition will be disregarded unless it attracts our attention by a loud noise or stirs up our deepest cravings. However if it finds us already oriented in its direction, it comes in like a man walking through an open door into his own house.”

 

[JRKH]

I agree with you James. And I also note that this manner of hearing God is rare. Usually the words are well-chosen and brief, but carry much power to bring peace, joy, assurance, insight, etc. One that I remember distinctly was when I asked Jesus a question, not really expecting to “hear” anything, of course. The answer came as a verse of scripture which I could never have imagined as I asked that question, and with it came immediate knowledge of the situation.

It is true that we hear as though it were our own thoughts in our mind, but we are “listening” rather than thinking them or composing them. The effects will be known immediately. I’m speaking about formal locutions now.

As for informal ones, the Holy Spirit may send “inspiration” to us without distinct words. When we are habitually indwelt by Him, it is like a friend peacefully speaking to us. St. Ignatius tells us in Spiritual Exercises that we can know the source of these inspirations by their “hard sell and soft sell.” He states:

“Promptings which lead toward a good objective come into play as softly, gently and quietly as a drop of water soaking into a damp sponge. But an evil suggestion or impulse enters importunately on the scene like a noisy downpour of rain on the street.”

“And the opposite is true of those whose spiritual life is presently degenerating. The obvious reason for this is the similarity – or difference – between our own mentality or attitude and the suggestion or impulse itself. An influence contrary to our present disposition will be disregarded unless it attracts our attention by a loud noise or stirs up our deepest cravings. However if it finds us already oriented in its direction, it comes in like a man walking through an open door into his own house.”

Agree with all of the above and will add one other thing, especially relating to the “informal”, “inspiriational” form of hearing God, or understanding something.
It comes in a flash and is quite complete, yet if and when one tries to explain it or write down, very often we (or at least I) find it very difficult if not impossible to convey the insight in anything approaching the clarity and brevity of the “locution”.
Human language and forms of communication are so inadequate to try adn convey these things.

Peace
James

 

[Sirach2]

It comes in a flash and is quite complete,

Very true, and it contains a whole world of meaning understood by one’s spirit. Thanks, I had forgotten to mention this. It reminded me of a verse from Isaiah 55:11, “My word will not return to me void, but will accomplish the end for which was sent.”

Monica, since you have read St. Teresa of Avila’s works, so you may find further help in Chapter 3, the sixth mansion.

 

[Teelynn]

Monica-

As to the “peacefulness” of God’s voice…YES if it is the voice of God it will ALWAYS BRING ONE PEACE! God’s voice NEVER causes confusion, anxiety, fear…ALWAYS PEACE AND LOVE.

 

[beckycmarie]

As for informal ones, the Holy Spirit may send “inspiration” to us without distinct words. When we are habitually indwelt by Him, it is like a friend peacefully speaking to us.

Monica, I just wanted to mention that Fr. Jacques Phillippe has a wonderful little book devoted to the topic of inspirations called In the School of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Phillipe draws on the wisdom of the saints, including St. Ignatius and St. Francis de Sales. You can get a preview of some of the things he has to say in the links below:

DETACHMENT

OBEDIENCE TO INSPIRATION

PATHS TO HOLINESS

PRAYER

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

 

[Monica4316]

Thanks everyone!

I think this is really great advice:

If an inspiration truly comes from God, and we silence our fears and consent to it wholeheartedly, in the end we shall be filled with irresistible peace; for the Holy Spirit will not fail to produce such peace in those who allow themselves to be led by him. This peace sometimes dwells only in the very deepest part of the soul, while questions and worries remain at the human and psychological level, but it is there and it is recognizable.

By contrast, if an inspiration comes from the devil or from our own ambitious, selfishness, exaggerated need for being recognized by others, and so forth, and we consent to it, it can never leave our heart in total, deep peace. Any peace it does bring will only be superficial, and will soon disappear, to be replaced by disturbance. We may refuse to acknowledge this disturbance and relegate it to the depths of our minds, but it is still there, ready to reemerge at the moment of truth.
— In the School of the Holy Spirit, p.53