49 Religious Lies Jesus Told Me to Stop Believing - #1 Trust My Mind

Mark Virkler on Hearing God

Mark Virkler describes a belief he says changed through journaling and prayer. He had thought Christians should rely mainly on their own reasoning and that direct encounters with God were no longer available. In a journal entry, he says he came to understand the mind as something to yield to God, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide his thoughts.

He presents this approach as a way to move from rule-focused striving toward a more personal, ongoing relationship with Jesus.

Key Practices and Ideas

• Journal and reflect: Write down prayers or perceived responses, and use Scripture as a prompt for personal reflection.
• Try Virkler’s “four keys” for hearing God’s voice:
  1. Quiet yourself.
  2. Picture Jesus with you.
  3. Tune in to what he calls the “flow.”
  4. Write from that flow without evaluating it as you write; assess it afterward.
• Reduce striving: Virkler encourages a relaxed posture rather than forcing thoughts or trying to make inspiration happen.
• Cultivate positive emotional habits: He recommends smiling, laughing, cultivating a merry heart, and giving thanks, saying these help him stop striving and stay receptive.
• Apply the practice to daily work: He says he uses this approach in ministry, writing, teaching, and counseling.
• Reflect personally: He invites viewers to consider what the Scriptures and message mean to them, rather than relying only on someone else’s interpretation.

Virkler closes with a spoken affirmation about being free from the belief that one must rely solely on one’s own mind. He encourages viewers to explore these ideas through journaling and Scripture.

Presenter and Sources

• Presenter: Mark Virkler
• Sources and resources mentioned: The Bible; Release from Religion; Four Keys to Hearing God’s Voice; CWG Ministries website (cwgministries.org).