Summary of "Four Basics of Hearing God's Voice: Episode 18"

Main ideas / concepts / lessons

God speaks at multiple “levels,” and believers can learn how to hear Him more clearly.
- Level 1 (for everyone, including unbelievers): God commonly speaks through conscience.
- Level 2 (most foundational/authoritative for believers): God speaks through the Word of God.
- Level 3 (born-again spirit): When people are born again, they can be led by their spirit, not just by the intellect (“mind of Christ in your spirit”).
Spiritual gifts are a major way God communicates, especially the Holy Spirit’s gifts.
- The episode references 1 Corinthians 12 as listing gifts (e.g., word of wisdom, word of knowledge, discerning of spirits, prophecy, speaking in tongues).
- The message emphasizes speaking in tongues as a practical, powerful means of hearing/receiving God.
Speaking in tongues is connected to praying “hidden wisdom” from God.
- Unknown tongues are described as communicating to God, not men, and speaking mysteries in the Spirit (linked to 1 Corinthians 14:2–14 concepts).
- Praying in tongues is described as the believer’s spirit praying (the part that has Christ’s mind).
Tongues in public vs. private
- In church assemblies, tongues should be handled with Paul’s limitations—tongues require interpretation to benefit others.
- Privately, the speaker argues you don’t need to “stop” tongues; instead, ask God for interpretation so your understanding becomes fruitful.
Method: “Pray in tongues, then ask for interpretation” to draw out guidance/wisdom.
- Core instruction:
  - Pray in tongues
  - Ask God for interpretation / understanding of what your spirit is praying
  - Seek the mind of Christ for the situation
  - Test thoughts against Scripture; don’t obey impressions that contradict God’s Word or that don’t bring inner confirmation (joy/peace).
- Rationale given:
  - Tongues produce spiritual communication, but the “natural understanding” may be unfruitful.
  - Interpretation helps bring that spiritual content into clarity for practical decisions.
Practical testimony: using tongues + interpretation for major decisions and provision
- The speaker recounts a situation involving a $3.2 million construction loan delay.
- He prayed in tongues and asked for interpretation, then recalled a prophecy that he would not need to take out a loan because “your partners are your bank.”
- He then chose to refuse the loan when it was offered.
- Result described:
  - A different bank approved more than needed, but he declined.
  - The needed amount for construction was provided later, and the construction was completed debt-free.
- The story is presented as evidence that praying in tongues and seeking interpretation can produce God’s wisdom that aligns with Scripture (e.g., ideas like “owe no one anything” except love).
Spiritual discipline vs. only intellectual education
- The speaker critiques relying solely on degrees/books (“cramming knowledge”) without drawing out spiritual wisdom from relationship with God.
- Relationship with God and praying in tongues are presented as releasing creativity and direction that “makes no sense” naturally but works spiritually.
Receivership and call to action
- The speaker asserts that people who don’t speak in tongues may feel “handicapped,” and encourages receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gift of speaking in tongues.
- He offers a phone-center prayer option and resources.

Methodology / instructions (detailed bullet format)

To hear God’s guidance more personally (especially for decisions)

Pray in tongues
- Preferably for a meaningful period (examples given: ~30 minutes to an hour; in crisis the speaker mentions an extreme example of ~17.5 hours).
Ask God for interpretation / understanding
- Specifically ask: “What am I saying? What is in my spirit? What is the mind of Christ on this situation?”
Keep praying in tongues while seeking understanding (in private)
- Don’t “stop” tongues and convert it into spoken language when alone; instead, let your understanding become fruitful.
Evaluate impressions carefully
- Compare any thought/impression with the Word of God.
- Reject anything that contradicts Scripture.
- Look for inner witness such as joy and peace.
Act on what aligns
- Use the interpreted guidance to make decisions (example: refusing a loan because the interpreted direction suggested a “debt-free” path).
In church settings (public worship)
- Follow Paul’s principle: tongues should be interpreted so the church is edified.
- Limit the number of tongues speakers and ensure interpretation is present so the gathering benefits others.

Products / announcements conveyed (practical)

The broadcast promotes free and paid resources from the ministry, including:
- A free 60-page booklet summarizing the prior teaching
- Audio/video and USB/DVD/CD versions of teachings
- A special emphasis resource connected to the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues
A phone center is advertised as available 24/7 to pray with callers for the baptism and speaking in tongues.
Encouragement to participate in student housing construction at Charis Bible College:
- The ministry seeks monthly partners and financial support for debt-free dorm construction.

Speakers / sources featured

Speaker: Andrew Wommack (host/teacher)
Biblical sources referenced:
- 1 John 2:20
- 1 Corinthians 12 (nine gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned)
- 1 Corinthians 14:2
- 1 Corinthians 14:4 (edify/build up)
- 1 Corinthians 14:13–14:18 (tongues, interpretation, church vs private emphasis)
- 1 Corinthians 14:14 (spirit prays; understanding unfruitful)
- Galatians 4:6 (“Abba, Father”)
- 1 Corinthians 6:17 (joined to the Lord—one spirit)
Other referenced figure: Jesus (as an example regarding not being stressed/lacking direction)