021 God Speaks: Hinderences to Hearing God part 8

The Hindrance of Pride in Hearing God’s Voice

One of the most significant barriers to truly hearing God is pride. God treasures humility and draws near to the meek and humble, as Scripture repeatedly reminds us:

• “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way” (Psalm 25:9).
• “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (James 4:6).
• “Clothe yourselves with humility... because God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).
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Pride clouds our ability to discern God’s voice. It can convince us that our own thoughts, desires, or ego are divine when, in reality, they are not.

Pride’s Deceptive Nature

Pride can manifest in subtle ways. It might look like overconfidence in our own understanding or an unwillingness to admit we could be wrong. Even when teaching others how to hear God, I’ve had to confront my own pride. The ability to hear God’s voice doesn’t make anyone infallible.

Humility is essential because it keeps us grounded, open to correction, and willing to acknowledge that we don’t have all the answers. It’s a reminder that hearing from God isn’t about us—it’s about Him.

A Biblical Example: Agabus the Prophet

Agabus, one of the most prominent prophets in the New Testament, is a powerful example of humility in ministry. In Acts 21, he receives a revelation from God about the apostle Paul’s future. He prophesies that Paul will be captured, persecuted, and beaten in Jerusalem.

Paul, however, already knew this and was determined to go anyway. Agabus didn’t try to control the situation or insist that Paul change his plans. Instead, he humbly delivered the message and entrusted the outcome to God.

What stands out about Agabus is his humility in his gifting. He didn’t operate out of pride or try to manipulate the situation. He simply obeyed God, shared the word he had received, and allowed God to work out the details.

How Pride Hinders Hearing

Pride can block our ability to hear God in several ways:

Self-Reliance
Pride often leads us to rely on our own understanding instead of seeking God’s wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

Closed Ears to Correction
A prideful heart resists correction and feedback, which can prevent us from recognizing when we’ve misunderstood or misheard God’s voice.

Distorted Motives
Pride can mix our motives, causing us to seek personal validation or recognition rather than God’s glory.

Overconfidence in Gifting
Spiritual gifts, including prophecy or discernment, require humility to operate effectively. When pride takes over, we risk misusing those gifts or missing God’s voice altogether.

Walking Humbly with God

Hearing God requires a heart posture of humility. Here are some practical ways to cultivate humility and guard against pride:

Acknowledge Your Dependence on God
Regularly remind yourself that you need God’s guidance. Pray for wisdom and ask Him to reveal any areas where pride may be hindering you.

Stay Rooted in Scripture
God’s Word is our ultimate authority. Measure what you believe you’ve heard against Scripture to ensure it aligns with His truth.

Invite Accountability
Surround yourself with trusted mentors or friends who can provide counsel and correction. Humility grows when we are open to feedback.

Surrender the Outcome
Like Agabus, deliver what God places on your heart without trying to control the response or outcome. Trust that God’s plans will prevail.

Pray for a Humble Heart
Ask God to root out pride and cultivate humility in your life. Psalm 139:23-24 is a powerful prayer for this: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

A Prayer for Humility

Lord, help us to walk humbly with You. Guard our hearts against pride, and teach us to rely on You in all things. May we approach You with open ears, willing hearts, and a desire to glorify You above all else. Help us to remember that hearing Your voice is a gift, not a right, and that it requires us to lay aside our ego. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Closing Thought

Pride is a subtle but powerful hindrance to hearing God. It deceives us into thinking we know best and blocks us from receiving the guidance, correction, and wisdom God desires to give. But when we choose humility, we position ourselves to hear Him clearly and walk in step with His will.

Let’s take a lesson from Agabus and walk in humility, trusting God with the outcome of our obedience. Pride may block the way, but humility opens the door to deeper intimacy with Him.