13 Signs You’re Not Hearing God
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During my quiet time this morning, the Lord gave me this list of 13 signs we’re not hearing God, pretty much every time. If something you or I believe is producing these fruits, it’s not from the Lord. I wanted to share these with you real quick, as I thought you may find this helpful.
Here are the 13 signs you’re not hearing God:
1- Belligerence
2- Anger
3- Hardness, unwillingness to yield
4- Pointing the finger at someone else
5- Strife and conflict
6- Hatred
7- Unforgiveness
8- Unwillingness to listen
9- Disunity
10- Lack of love
11- Resentment
12- Bitterness
13- Being stubborn and refusing to repent and abandon all of the above
Interesting that there are 13. Thirteen is the Biblical number meaning rebellion.
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Note: I received a comment below from a reader expressing concern that considering these signs could cause people to stay in abusive situations. I’d like to address that.
No blog post can cover every potential circumstance that a person can come across. This blog post is merely meant to provide some red flags that should show you, as they do me, when we’re believing something that is not from the Lord.
I’ve dealt with situations in ministry a number of times in which people were being abused. If that’s you, you need to get out of the abusive situation and get help. Do not let yourself become a statistic.
But this blog post isn’t about abuse.
This blog post is about how to recognize when something we’re hearing and believing is NOT from the Lord. These signs are based on Scripture. The Bible tells us:
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm” (Psalm 37:8).
And
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20).
And Galatians 5:19-25:
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
The Bible tells us in no uncertain terms that bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, and the like are all evil.
There are many more Scriptures that confirm this. These negative emotions are not born out of righteousness and they do not lead to righteousness.
If you’re in an abusive situation, will you be angry? Very likely, anger will be your natural response, as the reader pointed out below; but we’re not after our natural responses. We’re after supernatural responses, and we can’t confuse godly emotions and responses with having healthy boundaries. The two are not related.
You need good, healthy boundaries. If you’re being abused or mistreated, you need to get away to a safe place and get help. Abuse is not okay, and knowing that and doing something about it means you have a boundary, which is good.
Related: Removing Shame, Restoring Honor Part 1 and Part 2
But even while you’re sticking to your boundaries, the Word of God is still true, and we must seek to conform to His character in every situation.
That means we forgive. Even if you’re being abused, you must forgive for your own sake and for Jesus’ sake. Forgiveness does NOT mean you have to go back into the situation AT ALL. But forgiveness releases you from prison and allows Father God to work on your behalf (Matthew 18:35).
For the same reason, no matter what we’re going through, we love. We refrain from casting blame. (Even if something is someone’s fault, I’ve never seen any good come of it ever when someone points the finger and says, “It’s her fault! It’s his fault!”)
If we’re going to respond in a godly manner, and someone hurts us, we release and let go. We pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
So. Forgiveness and love are simply the way of Jesus, and this post is about helping us discern when we’re picking up something that’s not from Jesus.
Satan, the accuser of the brethren, always wants to bring strife, division, and unforgiveness. He will try to convince you things about other people that aren’t true. He will try to convince you that other people need to do XYZ in order for you to be all right. He will try to convince you that your anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness are justified.
But they’re not. Those things are all sin, and if you believe the enemy’s lies, he will take you down in a heartbeat.
How do you overcome the accuser of the brethren?
As soon as you notice one of these red flags in your life, ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of every wrong response in your heart. Ask Him to change your heart. Forgive on purpose, and keep on forgiving until you feel that forgiveness in your heart.
It’s not about boundaries. You need boundaries, and you need to be safe. But you ultimately are not responsible for the way people treat you. Their sin is their own, and vengeance belongs to God.
But you and I are always accountable for the way we respond in any given situation, and for keeping our hearts clean and pure before the Lord.
Hope this helps. 🙂 If this message speaks to your heart, would you leave a comment below? I’d love to hear from you.
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Jaime, I agree with your list. I study Hebrew words and meanings, and originally I believe God meant it as blessing number. God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac was born 13 years after Ishmael. It’s an interesting study. many Hebrew words have a numerical value of 13. Nimrod and Haman twisted it also.
Interesting, Rebecca. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Jamie. I thought this was interesting and I would share with you. Before I read the comments regarding the post, I felt the Lord prompt me regarding the number 13.
There is some significance to the number and your post. Ironically, when I read Rebecca’s comment it confirmed further that God was speaking. I thought this was important to tell you. Blessings.
Cool! Thanks for letting me know. Have a WONDERFUL day. 🙂
Hello, 🙂
I have been following your posts with enthusiasm. I have been really thankful for your writing. I think you have a gift.
However, this post concerns me. 1 out of 3 families have experienced domestic abuse. For women who live with assault in their marriage these “signs” could make them stay. For example, if someone hits you – anger is a natural and healthy reaction. It is the same with other emotions on the list. Some of these emotions can be natural and healthy.
Christ drew close to those who were broken-hearted. Those who experience them should consider them deeply, yes. But self-blame might be harmful. Self-blame can keep us in harmful abusive situations. Abusers thrive on self-blame. We can ask ourselves why we feel these emotions and pray our way through what we discover. Some of these feelings may be justified. They may be God’s way of guiding us away from a situation that it is time to move on from.
I know that there are women who read your blog who have experienced domestic abuse or still are experiencing it. God can help us dealing with the natural human emotions that result from abuse.
I know that your powerful writing and prayers can help women who are dealing with abuse.
I hope that you will consider rewording the blog above.
Peace of Christ in your heart.
Hey Kate, that’s a great point. I’m really glad you brought that up. Abuse is unacceptable and I would never want anyone to stay in an abusive situation. If someone is being abused, they need to get away and get help. We all need to have healthy boundaries. However, this post was not really about abuse. I added some clarification above that I hope will help, and will help any woman who reads it to know this does NOT mean she should stay in an abusive situation. Love to hear what you think.
How timely is this? I just got back from a month’s long visit with family and many of these were on display. My sister clued me in when she said it was a spiritual battle and she was right. These things are not of God. They are signs you are under attack and only our spiritual weapons can successfully dispel these negative spirits.
Thanks for the post. Mighty helpful. Dealing with some of this recently sent me searching. Thanks again.
Thank you for posting this.
Thank you for reading, Arel. I pray it helped you with whatever your need is right now. May our Papa God bless you abundantly today.
Hi Jamie,
Just finished reading the 13 Signs You’re Not Hearing God. There is a lot of these 13 signs I need to get rid of and meditate, pray to God. I have confessed my sins and repented. But I have more to work on. Thank you for this blog will try to remember these 13.
Blessungs,
Elia
Thank you so much for reading, Elia! I think we all need to keep these in mind. 🙁 I know I do! I pray Papa would encourage you as you seek Him about this!
Like someone above asked, how timely is this??? I am going through a spiritual battle, scratch that a war and as close to God as I am I have managed to somehow lose my way – all these things are a straight shoot to where I am and I don’t know what else to do… The battle and war are real I just need to find my way back and put on the Armor of God and fight my battle. Please keep me and my family in prayer…
Hi Faith. Thanks so much for reading. The #1 place to start when you’re in a situation like this is with forgiveness. Here are a couple articles that will get you started, if you’d like to read them:
https://www.fromhispresence.com/the-deliverance-files-removing-shame-restoring-honor-part-1/
and part 2:
https://www.fromhispresence.com/the-deliverance-files-removing-shame-restoring-honor-part-2/
I just prayed for you. I pray God would give you a holy unction to forgive, like Jesus forgave the people who murdered Him, in Jesus’ name.
I read this at a time when I cannot seem to find motivation to do the things I need to do in order to get my life right (or as close to right as I can) again. Currently dealing with losing my job and searching for another. While also still trying to process the loss of my mother less than a year ago. Being an only child has made this journey even harder.
I’m very sorry you’re going through that, Paula. I would encourage you to simply begin praying the short, simple prayer: “Father God, fill me with inspiration, wisdom, and motivation today, in Jesus’ name.” You’ve been through a lot, and your heart is still healing. But Father God can heal you and give you the motivation and encouragement you need to find your way again.
Big hugs to you, sister. Be blessed today in Jesus’ name.
Much thanks, Jamie, for truly I’ve been touched by your postings; they are so on the dot! The Lord bless you abundantly too as you continue to minister to others.
Well said! I like the way you show the fruits of listening to the enemy (13-rebellion) and the fruits of the Spirit (9), and the clarification between boundaries and abuse being a separate issue from who we are listening to spiritually. Thank you Jamie?
How do I surrender? How do I get rid of my hardened heart, anger and bitterness towards God. I am tired of living like this! I need Jesus to fill it with emptiness. I need a Damascus road encounter to save my life! Please Jesus deliver me from this place so I can serve you and worship you.
Hi Jamie! Powerful word woman of God. I am confused because since I got into what am going through I started hearing strange voices I have never heard before in my head and in my spirit. I thought before that I could hear God until I experienced this mess.
As I was going through the internet one day, I came across a young man asking help to get out of the under world spirit. As he explained how it works, I learned that I am exactly going through the same problem and that during the time I thought I could hear God it was a lie but the situation was not like now. I became afraid of asking God to speak to me lest another spirit takes the place of God. Am going through a lot but I can’t ask God to speak to me because of fear of being used by demons and evil spirits. Am asking God to have mercy upon me, forgive and deliver me from work of flesh.
Amen..thank you so much.
Thank you for your post it has enlighten me to some things I didn’t recognize as as sin . God bless you keep being encouraging!
Sorry this is so long.
Hi Jamie –
Our family problem started when our son was born (54 years ago). My wife is small and the doctor should have taken him by the caesarean method but instead used instruments which left him with a large bump on his head (hematoma I think it is called). This lasted for about 3 or 4 months. He had trouble speaking and walking – he never did run well. He did graduate from high school and worked at a job cleaning airplanes. He was under stress there and quit – also, working a few other jobs. He often did have weird ideas and then was diagnosed with schizophrenia which was under control with a new medicine. He had to go to a mental hospital where the doctor and staff really messed him up and his car is still in our driveway. He also was misdiagnosed for a cancer tumor for which he had to go through 3 operations, the 3rd one taking 4.5 hours and clear to his ribcage. He has since been in one hospital or another and now is too far away for us to visit him easily.
So one doctor ruined his life so he has been hospitalized since then and the other almost cost him his life with cancer because he would not refer him to a dermatologist for 4 years.
Forgiveness is really hard after all of these things have happened especially for my wife. I have asked the Lord to help me forgive them but my wife is having a harder time to do so.
Hi Roger.
Thank you for reading.
I’m certainly saddened to hear about all the things you and your wife and child and family have been through. However, the bigger question is this:
Are you actually willing to give up your opportunity for eternal salvation so you can hold onto your anger and unforgiveness?
Because you are.
Jesus said that if you won’t forgive others from your heart, your Father in Heaven won’t forgive your sins either. So you cannot be saved unless you are willing to forgive ALL those who hurt you, your wife, your child, and your family in any way–and forgive them from your heart.
The long and the short of it is, Jesus said you have to forgive. If you refuse, then Jesus is not Lord of your life and you are headed for eternal hellfire.
There is no salvation outside of making Christ Jesus truly your Lord, which means obeying Him in all areas–including forgiveness.
If you need help knowing how to forgive–since many people aren’t sure how to forgive and actually stop the pain and receive true healing from the Lord– then I recommend you get my video class called Finding Deep Soul Healing 101 here.
I will be praying for you today, that you would surrender your life wholeheartedly to Jesus Christ and make Him truly your Lord.
Blessings,
Jamie Rohrbaugh
Thank you so much for this post 🙏🛐 I just bumped into it on Pinterest, going through Bible verse pictures, etc. I’ve been going through this exactly for so long with my mother (since preteen; she came to live with me after leaving her home country and she brought with her a spirit of anger and hardheartedness) and now experiencing this with another close family member, and I don’t want this issue anymore in Jesus’ Name! I’m tired of it. I’ve truly and fylly given my life to Jesus and this is the one area now I need Jesus to change me in. I will print it out an reread it and keep it in my heart. Thank you again and may God continue blessing you and using you, Amen. 🙏🛐
Amen to this word Praise be to God the father
Wow! Thank you so much for this post today, Jamie. I got home, started making supper and then felt rushed to do a task I had promised my mom. I felt attacked (and even more rushed) by my brother. I reacted in anger to my brother and swore at him 🙁 God was already convicting me of my sin as I read your email linking to this post. Another email I got was PLR about communication. I think God is trying to tell me something! God is so good. Off to read my bible, pray, then communicate respectfully with my brother.
Thanks a lot dear Jamie for this wonderful word .The part about forgiveness is so important and God has spoken to me through your word.God bless you, your ministry and your family.