What is the "interior voice" that the saints are talking about?

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Pythagoras

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I read in the lives of the saints that they experienced an “interior voice” which come from God.

What do you think is this interior voice. Is this really a voice as in it is composed of a sound? Or it could be composed of images or interior (voiceless) thoughts that suddenly comes to your head?
 
Head, I’d say.

An audible voice would also be heard by others.

ICXC NIKA
 
Pythagoras, it’s likely the last you mention, but I’d consider it somewhat more than a thought. Many of us have our thoughts in language foremost on our mind throughout the day; it wasn’t until my 20s until I realized that not everyone had the same ongoing interior monologue that I did.

I can say, though, that at certain times, several such thoughts–not about abstract matters, but about a definite course of action–have come into my mind in a manner that stimulated not only the intellect, but the will and the emotions as well. Perhaps the best way to term it would be inspiration. That might be a very close thing to the interior voice. This is, of course, not to discount such more clearly supernatural matters as visions or locutions, but these generally require a purification of the senses.

This is not to say that such might be the only thing all writers have considered an “interior voice,” but it’s the closest I can truly think of.
 
bardegaulois said:
Pythagoras, it’s likely the last you mention, but I’d consider it somewhat more than a thought. Many of us have our thoughts in language foremost on our mind throughout the day; it wasn’t until my 20s until I realized that not everyone had the same ongoing interior monologue that I did.

I can say, though, that at certain times, several such thoughts–not about abstract matters, but about a definite course of action–have come into my mind in a manner that stimulated not only the intellect, but the will and the emotions as well. Perhaps the best way to term it would be inspiration. That might be a very close thing to the interior voice. This is, of course, not to discount such more clearly supernatural matters as visions or locutions, but these generally require a purification of the senses.

This is not to say that such might be the only thing all writers have considered an “interior voice,” but it’s the closest I can truly think of.
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Me too. I’ve always reckoned it was my guardian angel. 🙂
 
Pythagoras said:
I read in the lives of the saints that they experienced an “interior voice” which come from God.

What do you think is this interior voice. Is this really a voice as in it is composed of a sound? Or it could be composed of images or interior (voiceless) thoughts that suddenly comes to your head?
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God speaks to our conscience…Gods voice pulls us in to do the right thing or reveals things God wants us to know…

From the Catechism…1776 "Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey. Its voice, ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sounds in his heart at the right moment. . . . For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God. . . . His conscience is man’s most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths."47
 
Different saints used different terms differently, but I’d imagine what you’re talking about might also be what St. Ignatius and Ignition spirituality also refer to as a “movement of the heart”. Not necessarily a “voice” in the literal sense, but an interior feeling, joy, “movement”, etc.
 
Pythagoras said:
I read in the lives of the saints that they experienced an “interior voice” which come from God.

What do you think is this interior voice. Is this really a voice as in it is composed of a sound? Or it could be composed of images or interior (voiceless) thoughts that suddenly comes to your head?
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You need to be careful here. Quieting the mind is key to effective prayer. Once this is accomplished, listening from your heart to the soft whispers of God is paramount. Discerning what comes from God and what is coming from the evil one is difficult even for those with spiritual mastery.
 
ARTICLE 6
MORAL CONSCIENCE
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CCC 1776 "Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey. Its voice, ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sounds in his heart at the right moment. . . . For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God. . . . His conscience is man’s most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths."47
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God bless.

Cathoholic
 
I think it may be the guidance of the Holy Spirit as in the prayer “Come Holy Spirit” when we pray in the last verse " O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful". The saints of course were very close to God, so the “interior voice” was very clear to them. The closer we are in doing God’s Will the more we will be aware of God’s voice and be able to follow His guidance.
 
JosieN said:
I think it may be the guidance of the Holy Spirit as in the prayer “Come Holy Spirit” when we pray in the last verse " O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful". The saints of course were very close to God, so the “interior voice” was very clear to them. The closer we are in doing God’s Will the more we will be aware of God’s voice and be able to follow His guidance.
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ok, so how will we know if that inspired thought was coming from God or just a product of our own good noble thoughts, after all we daydream a lot.
 
Pythagoras said:
ok, so how will we know if that inspired thought was coming from God or just a product of our own good noble thoughts, after all we daydream a lot.
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We are told to test the Spirits…Does the action of the spirit produce the fruits of the spirit, Ie., the fruit of charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, or chastity? Is it in line with Catholic teaching? Also when God tells me something I just know because it sticks to my heart and my mind and I know this is from God and I can’t get away from it or to go against it would give me an uneasy feeling, or God will give me a sign that I am on the right track… Our inspired thoughts and actions can line up with what God producing ultimate peace and joy in our innermost being because it is Gods will we are doing! Like going out and helping someone even and especially if it is hard to do and feeling that goodness and overall warmth from God in it…🙂
 
Pythagoras said:
ok, so how will we know if that inspired thought was coming from God or just a product of our own good noble thoughts, after all we daydream a lot.
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The saints of course knew it because they were holy and close to God. We may not know when God guides us. When we are not sure we need to pray about it. Grace will be given to help guide those who are worthy of it. The devil also tempts us so beware, but he has less of an influence on the ones worthy of God’s graces. To be made worthy do not sin, ask for forgiveness when you do, pray, read the Bible, fast, go to Mass, etc. and the interior life in you will grow. Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard wrote a book called “Spiritual Handbook for Catholic Evangelists” if you are interested in your spiritual life with God, I recommend reading it. I am not an expert on this this is why I think you should read this book. I find in today’s world we are so much influenced by the evil culture that it is more difficult to remain in grace, and these things are not taught in the Church anymore so we are not following God’s guidance as we should and as we have done in the past. What separates us most from God is sin. If you do not know what a sin is or believe in sin, or deny you are sinning, you are at a greater risk of listening to the wrong side, you may even be convinced you are on the right side. It is a battle for your soul. Jesus died on the cross and earned for us graces with His Precious Blood and His sacrifice. This is why the Mass is very important for receiving graces, His sacrifice is most worthy. The first step for a more holy life is always prayer and a sincere heart. Jesus is always there for those willing to love Him and do His will. I hope this helps.
 
All good things come from God. I do believe He speaks audibly at times. When He spoke to Samuel as a child, it came so clear, he woke up and ran to Eli, thinking the priest called him. Ive heard my name called audibly, once. I was starting to attend church on a regular basis. This was a protestant church at the time.
 
RedBasket said:
All good things come from God. I do believe He speaks audibly at times. When He spoke to Samuel as a child, it came so clear, he woke up and ran to Eli, thinking the priest called him. Ive heard my name called audibly, once. I was starting to attend church on a regular basis. This was a protestant church at the time.
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When falling asleep I used to often hear a loud voice saying, “Hey Bob.” My psychiatrist at the time said that this was common and definitely not a hallucination.
 
Jesus’ family thought He was losing it. Not sure I would depend on a secular source as the last word on spiritual matters.
 
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