Can believing Christians have a dialogue with God? Some people say yes, while others feel that verbal give and take is not possible. This is not a question for modern times; throughout the ages people have wondered how close they could come to God.
Whenever there is a question about spiritual things, the scriptures are the place to start. What does the Bible tell us about this and other subjects? It is always better to check anything you hear and read by consulting the actual Word of God before accepting it as doctrine. Of course, sometimes we all need help and guidance in understanding the Word, but your own spirit will affirm any truth. If you have doubts, the Holy spirit might be telling you to hesitate.
At the very beginning, when God made Adam and placed him in the garden, the Bible tells us that God told them (Adam and Eve) to be fruitful and fill the earth, subdue it, and rule over all the fish, birds, and animals. The Bible does not tell us Adam's answer to this command. God also told him to eat of every tree in the garden but the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Again no reference is made to Adam's answer.
When Adam and Eve are hiding from the Lord, God asks, 'Where are you?' and Adam answers Him. Adam confesses his disobedience and God passes judgement. Words are used for this event; it is not merely God speaking and man listening. God also talks to the next human, Cain, when He rejects his offering. God takes him to task later for killing Abel, passes judgement, and responds to Cain's plea for some mercy.
Enoch had a close relationship with his Lord as he walked with him for three hundred years. Enoch was the first man not to die; the Lord simply took him away. It seems safe to assume that conversations guided Noah to spend one hundred years making a boat and collecting animals, and Abram to leave his home for unknown regions. We do know that the Lord appeared to Abraham (his new name) in the form of an angel and they talked together.
Moses, the most humble of men, is also the man who God spoke to 'face to face'. The Bible tells us that there has not been a prophet to equal him since. The Lord spoke to other prophets and leaders; think of the effort He put into His relationship with Jonah. He used words as well as a big fish to command obedience. God spoke to Solomon in a dream, asking what gift he wanted and approving his request for wisdom.
There is Solomon's dream conversation, when the Lord promised to grant his request and Solomon asked for wisdom. Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute the early church when Jesus spoke to him. Although no specifics are given about what happened in the next three days, the apostle later says he was in the company of Jesus just as the other apostles were - which must have included seeing, hearing, and speaking to Him.
The Bible tells us that God changes not. There is no reason why He cannot speak to men and women today as He did in the past. Of course, there are many other ways to meet the Lord; prayer, praise, and listening with heart and mind are some of them. If you have a dialogue with God and it does not contradict His commands and wishes expressed in the scriptures, don't be afraid to accept the incredible fact.
Whenever there is a question about spiritual things, the scriptures are the place to start. What does the Bible tell us about this and other subjects? It is always better to check anything you hear and read by consulting the actual Word of God before accepting it as doctrine. Of course, sometimes we all need help and guidance in understanding the Word, but your own spirit will affirm any truth. If you have doubts, the Holy spirit might be telling you to hesitate.
At the very beginning, when God made Adam and placed him in the garden, the Bible tells us that God told them (Adam and Eve) to be fruitful and fill the earth, subdue it, and rule over all the fish, birds, and animals. The Bible does not tell us Adam's answer to this command. God also told him to eat of every tree in the garden but the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Again no reference is made to Adam's answer.
When Adam and Eve are hiding from the Lord, God asks, 'Where are you?' and Adam answers Him. Adam confesses his disobedience and God passes judgement. Words are used for this event; it is not merely God speaking and man listening. God also talks to the next human, Cain, when He rejects his offering. God takes him to task later for killing Abel, passes judgement, and responds to Cain's plea for some mercy.
Enoch had a close relationship with his Lord as he walked with him for three hundred years. Enoch was the first man not to die; the Lord simply took him away. It seems safe to assume that conversations guided Noah to spend one hundred years making a boat and collecting animals, and Abram to leave his home for unknown regions. We do know that the Lord appeared to Abraham (his new name) in the form of an angel and they talked together.
Moses, the most humble of men, is also the man who God spoke to 'face to face'. The Bible tells us that there has not been a prophet to equal him since. The Lord spoke to other prophets and leaders; think of the effort He put into His relationship with Jonah. He used words as well as a big fish to command obedience. God spoke to Solomon in a dream, asking what gift he wanted and approving his request for wisdom.
There is Solomon's dream conversation, when the Lord promised to grant his request and Solomon asked for wisdom. Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute the early church when Jesus spoke to him. Although no specifics are given about what happened in the next three days, the apostle later says he was in the company of Jesus just as the other apostles were - which must have included seeing, hearing, and speaking to Him.
The Bible tells us that God changes not. There is no reason why He cannot speak to men and women today as He did in the past. Of course, there are many other ways to meet the Lord; prayer, praise, and listening with heart and mind are some of them. If you have a dialogue with God and it does not contradict His commands and wishes expressed in the scriptures, don't be afraid to accept the incredible fact.
About the Author:
Read the inspiring story of Jesus and how he had a a dialogue with God at www.lifeadvancenetwork.com. To review the published book, visit http://www.lifeadvancenetwork.com today!
