The Bible will never be a living Book to us until we are convinced that God is articulate in His universe. To jump from a dead, impersonal world to a dogmatic Bible is too much for most people. They may admit that they should accept the Bible as the Word of God, and they may try to think of it as such, but they find it impossible to believe that the words there on the page are actually for them. A man may say, “These words are addressed to me,” and yet in his heart not feel and know that they are. He is the victim of a divided psychology. He tries to think of God as mute everywhere else and vocal only in a book.
I believe that much of our religious unbelief is due to a wrong conception of and a wrong feeling for the Scriptures of Truth. A silent God suddenly began to speak in a book and when the book was finished lapsed back into silence again forever. Now we read the book as the record of what God said when He was for a brief time in a speaking mood. With notions like that in our heads how can we believe? Pg. 86-87
Discussion
1. God Is Speaking
Pg. 79
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
Main Thought: It is God’s nature to speak. God did not merely speak in the past; He continues to reveal Himself through His creation and His Word.
“God is speaking. Not God spoke, but God is speaking.” Pg. 79
Psalm 19:1–2 — The heavens declare the glory of God.
Romans 1:20 — God’s creation reveals His eternal power and Godhead.
Discussion:
What is the difference between believing God spoke and believing God is speaking?
2. The Written Word and the Spoken Word
Pgs. 80–81
Main Thought: The Bible is God’s written Word, but God’s power and authority are not confined to the pages of a book. His Word is living and active.
“God did not write a book and send it by messenger to be read at a distance by unaided minds. He spoke a Book and lives in His spoken words, constantly speaking His words and causing the power of them to persist across the years.” Pg. 81
Psalm 33:9 — “For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.”
Hebrews 11:3 — The worlds were framed by the Word of God.
2 Timothy 3:16 — All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.
Discussion:
What is the distinction between God’s written Word and His present, active voice?How can we recognize God’s continuing work without confusing our own thoughts with His Word?
3. Learning to Hear and Discern God’s Voice
Pgs. 81–83
Main Thought: God speaks, but we must learn to listen. Scripture helps us distinguish God’s truth from our own desires, emotions, and the competing voices of the world.
“The tragedy is that our eternal welfare depends upon our hearing and we have trained our ears not to hear.” Pg. 83
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
John 10:27 — “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
1 John 4:1 — Test the spirits whether they are of God.
Discussion:
What distractions or habits might prevent us from hearing God’s Word?
How does Scripture help us distinguish between our own desires and the leading of the Holy Spirit?
How can we test whether something we believe God is telling us is truly consistent with His Word?
4. Hearing God Speak — Understanding and Conviction
Pgs. 84–86
Main Thought: The Holy Spirit illuminates Scripture, reveals truth, and brings conviction that leads us toward repentance and a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
Tozer describes a progression:
A Sound — An awareness of God’s presence.
A Voice — Recognizing that God is communicating.
An Intelligible Word — The Spirit illuminates Scripture.
Life and Light — Seeing and embracing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
“The Bible will never be a living Book to us until we are convinced that God is articulate in His universe.” Pg. 86:
John 16:13 — The Spirit of truth guides us into truth.
Acts 2:37 — “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart...”
2 Corinthians 7:10 — Godly sorrow produces repentance.
Discussion:
What is the difference between reading Scripture and having the Holy Spirit illuminate its meaning?
How can we distinguish genuine conviction from ordinary guilt or regret?
When God’s Word reveals something in our lives that needs to change, how should we respond?
Takeaway
God has not stopped speaking. The question is whether we have learned to listen.
God reveals Himself through creation and Scripture. The Holy Spirit opens our understanding, convicts us of sin, and leads us toward Christ.
Our responsibility is to listen, test what we hear against Scripture, and respond in faith and obedience.