Does God still communicate with us today? Can we truly hear His voice? Some contemporary “theological Pharisees” insist that God’s communication is limited to what’s written in the Bible, implying that God has fallen silent. While we respect the completed Bible, the notion of a “silent God” is a theological misstep. Many vigorously defend past revelations but may neglect to “refuse him that speaketh” in our present time (Heb 12:25). Scripture reminds us repeatedly: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith” to the churches right now (Rev 2:7; 3:22).

As Jesus declared, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4). The term “proceedeth” implies an ongoing function—something spoken in the past, continuing in the present, and extending into the future. In essence, it could be expressed as, “Man lives by every word spoken by God’s mouth, past and present.” God, who spoke in ages past, is still speaking now, and will continue to speak. God is not mute! This doesn’t mean we add to the Bible; I do not advocate that. However, the Bible teaches that God desires a people who “dwell in” and “walk in” His Word, becoming “living epistles, known and read by mankind” (2Cor 3:2,3). We desperately need to hear His voice. Our churches can only thrive and be blessed today by continually listening to God’s ongoing word.

Every church leader grapples with this question: What is God’s expectation for me? Where does my duty end and God’s role begin? On one hand, Scripture asserts, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord” (Zech 4:6). Some suggest this means that God will accomplish everything through His Spirit, rendering our actions unnecessary. On the other hand, Jesus admonishes, “That servant who knew his Lord’s will…yet did not do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes” (Luke 12:47). This clearly emphasizes that God holds His servants accountable to understand His will and act accordingly. How do we reconcile the balance between God’s sovereignty and the church leader’s responsibility to carry out His will?

The solution lies in revisiting Jesus’ words: “That servant who knew his Lord’s will…yet did not do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes…” (Luke 12:47). Jesus contrasts this with the servant who didn’t know his Lord’s will and received fewer stripes (vs 48). The message is clear: whether we know and neglect to act or remain ignorant and inactive, there are consequences. God desires church leaders who both comprehend and execute His will. God’s will defines the boundaries of our responsibility. If we lack knowledge of His will, our judgment may be less severe, but judgment still awaits. To perform God’s will, we must first understand it. To comprehend His will, we must hear His voice. It’s that straightforward!

In a world filled with noise and distractions, attuning our ears to God’s voice is the key to discerning His will and fulfilling our responsibilities as church leaders.