We’re now at Part 3 of 4 in our series on self-counselling. Each Part has discussed an important part of the R-DAD formula: Rightly Dividing the Word of God And Discerning the Voice of God. This formula guides each of us to use Scripture to work through challenges and make choices that help us live a full, meaningful, and joyful life.
The four steps in R-DAD are:
Study the Word to show thyself approved unto the Lord Rightly dividing and sharing the Word of God Hearing and obeying the Voice of God Combining these steps together: R-DAD
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
God wants to talk with you, just the way you sit down to a good meal with a friend, and visit. You do not need to try to get his attention or earn his favor. He is ready and waiting for you.
Begin with Quietness
The voice of God can be hard to hear during the day. For many of us, hearing that voice begins with becoming quiet.
Be still, and know that I am God: Psalm 46:10a (KJV)
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; Psalm 37:7 (NIV)
When Elijah was running from Jezebel and wanted to die, God reminded him that He could be heard as the still small voice (1 Kings 19:12). Set aside time when you can experience quietness and listen for the voice of God.
Ask for Help
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 (NIV)
God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out to him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. Acts 17:27 (NIV)
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6-7 (NIV)
Read the Bible
We often call the Bible the “Word of God”. It’s right there for us—God’s word. Reading the Bible is an active process of listening to the voice of God. We encourage you to set aside any previous rules or requirements for how much or how long to read the Bible. This is personal time spent in Scripture, so you choose what works best for you. The important thing is to read the Bible.
So, then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (KJV)
So, then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (KJV)
Obey The Bible
It’s been made quite clear that we must do as the Bible says, not just read it.
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 1:6 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says…whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22,25 (NIV)
Some people hear the voice of God as an actual voice. Some hear His voice in their thoughts, through ideas that line up with Scripture. All hear the voice of God as they ask to hear His voice and read the Bible.
