With some friends, I have been thinking about “listening to the Spirit.” We have discussing what it means to walk in experiential reality with Jesus and to keep in step with the Spirit when Jesus is no longer physically present on the earth and when the Spirit who dwells within us is “incorporeal” (that doesn’t mean “not real”–although many seem to relate to the Spirit that way–but it means without a physical body).

We want to be able to hear from Jesus, know the mind of the Spirit, and find ourselves–with at least a small degree of certainty–”walking with God.”

Now, of course, we can turn to the Scriptures to discern what it is that God wants for us; much of what we long to know, God addresses in his Word. But what about those issues and choices and decisions and options that are not addressed directly in Scripture? Things like . . .

Where should I go to school?

Should I take that new job or not?

Who should I marry?

Is it a good thing for me to go on that mission trip? Or change my major? Or . . .

Although there might be some general guidelines in the Scriptures that have bearing on such decisions, and although we are enjoined (in Proverbs as well as elsewhere) to make “prudent” or “wise” decisions, there are times when we long to know: “Jesus, what do you want me to do?” And, a generic answer just might not cut it.

We were discussing Peter. Here’s someone who walked with Jesus, daily and in a physical way–up until the ascension. And then, no more! Jesus was no longer physically present and Peter could no longer listen to and follow Jesus in the same way that he had before. So, does Peter just go about his merry way, oblivious to what God might want for him? I don’t think so.

In Acts 9, we watch as Peter goes about doing the things he has come to understand Jesus wants him to do. He shares the good news about what Jesus has accomplished. He heals others in a manner he has come to see Jesus do. He has a general sense of what Jesus wants for him to do, and he does it. And then we come to Acts 10.

Peter, a good Jewish-raised follower of Jesus ends up going to a Gentile’s home. That would have been a huge obstacle. (That’s clear from the discussions elsewhere in the New Testament about the challenge that faced the early church in conceptualizing the relationship that would exist between Jew and Gentile once Jesus got a hold of both groups.) But, nevertheless, Peter went; and the Spirit worked in the Gentile’s family’s lives and the household was converted.

But then in Acts 11, Peter’s Jewish-raised co-followers of Jesus raised a question: “Why did you go and hang out with Gentiles?” Great question. And Peter’s basic answer is: God told me to go. (You probably need to stop and read Acts 9-11 to make sure you understand clearly what is going on and so you are resting on God’s words and not merely these blogged thoughts!)

So, for me, the question is: How did Peter know that God wanted him to go? And, as I look at what Peter said in Acts 11 to his friends, I see a number of elements that go into how Peter heard God. (I  will probably unpack each of these a bit more in future posts, but for the time being let me just briefly list what I see to be the five basic elements.)

1. Peter had been praying. Peter uses the generic word for pray; he was “talking with God.” (As opposed to making specific requests, or offering thanks.) So, to hear from God, Peter made time to talk with him.

2. Peter was open to an experiential “interruption” from God. Some Christians seem to think God is mute; that he can’t or doesn’t communicate. If Peter had thought that “Old Testament prophets got visions but God doesn’t do those kinds of things today” he would have dismissed the moment. So, to hear from God, Peter at least needed to be open to the possibility God might communicate.

3. Peter pushed back and thought about the experience. Every “spiritual experience” is not automatically from God nor a communication from him. Had Peter thought that, he would not have questioned and wrestled with the vision he saw and the voice he heard. So, to hear from God, Peter needed to be discerning and not naive.

4. Peter was willing to step out. In response to a combination of vision and voice, Peter tentatively stepped out to go with some strangers who came to the door, asking for him. It’s clear from the record of his experience in Cornelius’ house that Peter wasn’t absolutely sure what God was up to until he got there. But, Peter was at least willing to step out on what he thought God might be saying. So, to hear from God, Peter had to be willing to take a risk.

5. Peter sought to anchor what he believed was happening in what he was already sure Jesus had said and taught. Peter, looking back on his experience, sought to root his subjective “hearing” with what he knew, clearly, that Jesus had already said. So, to hear from God, Peter sought to understand his “leading” in light of Jesus already revealed word.

Not a formula. Not a method. Not “five steps to hearing from God.” It’s just Peter’s retelling how he knew what God had said. And, in the convergence of those five things, he ended up being sure.