You Can't Hear the Voice of God if You are Listening to Yourself

Brokenness is critical to hearing the voice of God

1.  Brokenness brings openness to hearing God's voice.  It is by learning to daily depend on God and trust God that we hear his voice.  It is by crucifying our flesh and desires and placing God's desire and will above our own that we begin to hear God's voice.

2.  Brokenness brings humility.  God reveals the secrets of His heart to the broken-hearted and the humble.  If we think too highly of ourselves, we will miss the voice of God that speaks to the humble.

3.  Brokenness brings obedience.  By obedience leads to hearing more from God.  Disobedience shuts out the voice of God in our lives.  Why should God tell us things if we are not going to do them.  Obedience leads to more listening and hearing God's voice.

William Blake fourfold vision says this,

Unless the eye catch fire
God will not be seen.
Unless the ear catch fire
God will not be heard.
Unless the tongue catch fire
God will not be named.
Unless the heart catch fire,
God will not be loved.
Unless the mind catch fire
God will not be known.

(insights from Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola, "Jesus Speaks")