MM5: Hearing God regarding Relationships

Hearing God in Relationships: The Mentor's Approach

Navigating the complexities of hearing from God regarding relationships is a challenging yet profoundly rewarding endeavor. This topic often sparks numerous questions and varying opinions, as it intertwines faith, individual experience, and the influence of others. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the facets of this topic, offering guidance for mentors and mentees alike. Let's explore how one can discern God's voice in relationships, the importance of patience, and how mentors can effectively support this journey.

Discerning God's Voice: A Personal Journey

Discerning God's voice is unique to every individual. It is a deeply personal journey that requires time, patience, and an understanding that we, as humans, see and hear in part. As stated in 1 Corinthians 13:9, "For we know in part and we prophesy in part," this scripture underscores the notion that our spiritual perception is incomplete and often clouded by our humanity.

Personal Filters and Spiritual Clarity

Check your filters

We all, mentees and mentors, need to check and clean our spiritual filters daily by staying in the Word of God and spending time in His presence.

Our ability to hear God's voice is significantly influenced by the "filters" through which we perceive spiritual messages. These filters can be compared to the air or cabin filters in a vehicle, which get dirty over time and need regular cleaning. Our spiritual filters can be clouded by personal desires, fears, and experiences. Regular introspection and spiritual practices, such as prayer and meditation, are essential to maintaining clear filters. It's about recognizing when one is living by the spirit versus being influenced by the flesh, and actively seeking to realign oneself.

The Role of Signs and Symbols

EXIT

Signs POINT to the Exit; you don’t go through them but to where they point.

The use of signs when discerning God's will can be both enlightening and treacherous. Signs should be viewed as one piece of a larger puzzle. Think of an exit sign above a door—it points the way but is not the door itself.

Signs can guide us, but they must be interpreted with wisdom. They should not be held onto rigidly, especially when other experiences or information might contradict them. It's crucial to maintain open hands, metaphorically, to allow oneself to adjust and be guided by a broader understanding.

The Mentoring Process: Guiding without Judgment

When someone believes they have heard from God regarding a relationship, mentors play a critical role. However, the goal is neither to validate nor invalidate their experience. Instead, mentors should focus on guiding them through a reflective process to help them understand their experience better.

Listening and Reflecting

Mentors must first and foremost listen without judgment. Frequently, mentees seek validation or critique, but the mentor's role is to help them reflect on their experience. Asking thoughtful, non-judgmental questions can stimulate this reflection.

For instance, questions like, "How did you discern it was God's voice?" or "What processes have you undertaken to confirm this?" can be instrumental.

Patience and Confirmation

Encourage the mentee to seek confirmation and wait. Patience is paramount; rushing into conclusions or actions can often lead to misinterpretations and heartaches. Time offers clarity and strengthens one’s ability to discern accurately. As Julie's story from the podcast illustrates, her journey spanned several years of prayer, reflection, and waiting for multiple confirmations before taking any definitive action.

Maintaining Confidentiality and Focus

Keeping such revelations within a small circle of trusted individuals is essential to avoid external pressures and influences. Broadcasting beliefs prematurely can lead to clouded judgment as friends and family, often motivated by their love and hopes, might influence the individual’s perception rather than allowing a pure, unfiltered understanding of God's message.

Learning through Outcomes: The Bigger Picture

Whether the final outcome aligns with the initial belief or not, the journey has significant value. Each step, each confirmation or contradiction, offers growth and a deeper understanding of discerning God's voice. This aligns with Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Conclusion

In conclusion, hearing from God regarding relationships is a multi-faceted journey that requires discernment, patience, and mentorship. As mentors, we guide, question, and support without imposing our judgments. Encouraging a reflective and prayerful process helps mentees align closely with God's will. Remember, the journey itself, with its trials and revelations, is foundational to the spiritual growth and understanding of both the mentor and the mentee.

Thank you for exploring this topic with me. Let's continue this journey of learning and mentorship together. Put your comments and questions below, and catch the MM5 podcast episode!