Keys to Hearing God's Voice

This is the third of three posts about hearing God's voice, the ways God speaks, and keys to hearing God's voice. Be sure to read the first post here and the second post here.

Practically speaking, how do you hear God's voice? Hearing God’s voice is a skill that develops over time through relationship and practice in activated listening and awareness. You have to activate your awareness of God at all times to begin to recognize and listen to His voice. You do this by a strong relationship with God. That means abiding in Christ and walking by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 says, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Throughout each day, continuously talk with God. Ask Him in each moment for guidance regarding your thoughts, words, and choices. That is what it means to walk by the Spirit. That is practicing the presence of God at all times. That is how you put yourself in position to hear God's voice.

Now, a word about "gratifying the desires of the flesh". This is the opposite of walking by the Spirit. The flesh can be synonymous with our sinful nature and ungodly desires.

The hippies of the Jesus People movement of the 1970s had a saying about this. They would say "Don't flesh out" or "Dude, you've been fleshing out". For example, a Spirit-filled Jesus People hippie who had given up sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll, would decide one night to listen to some of his old music. The next day at the hippie church, he admits to the next hippie, "Man, I fleshed out on some Stones last night". He'd say, "Man, it was groovy, but I shouldn't have!"

The reason he shouldn't have is because there are absolutely things that will suppress and drown out the Holy Spirit and the fruit of and the voice of the Spirit. When you flesh out and gratify the desires of the flesh, you pollute your soul. That makes it hard to walk by the Spirit, to bear the fruit of the Spirit, and hear His voice.

I'm going to say it right now, some of you have been fleshing out. It might be music, TV, Netflix, too much food: gluttony, laziness, or any number of other things. Whatever it is, I'm telling you right now to quit fleshing out. It will keep you from walking by the Spirit, bearing fruit, and hearing His voice.

I'm going to say it another way. Be careful what you let into your gates. You have an ear gate, an eye gate, a mouth gate, and even a sexual gate. That is one reason why the apostle Paul warned so strongly to flee sexual immorality. Letting the wrong things into your gates allows negative spiritual reprecusions. It can even allow unclean spirits and demons into your life to tempt, torment, and oppress you. Guard your gates. Don't let anything into your gates that will gratify the desires of the flesh, pollute your soul, and keep you from walking by the Spirit with fruit and hearing God's voice.

If you want to hear God's voice, here are a number of keys:

1. Know God will speak.

God is always speaking, we're just not always listening. While authorship of the Scriptures has ceased, understand that the revelatory experiences that biblical figures such as Abraham, Isaiah, Peter, and Paul had are still available to believers today. God’s revelatory activity did not cease with the early church. The Scriptures are set in stone, but God still speaks into our lives. Listen.

2. Prayer, fasting, worship, and Scripture reading.

Stay regular in the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, worship, and Scripture reading-- and also consider prayer journaling. These spiritual disciplines are part of what entail abiding in Christ, as mentioned earlier. This will help you stay close to God and get on His 'frequency' so to speak. This will also help you learn to recognize the 'language of the Spirit'.

3. Don't try too hard to hear something.

This may seem paradoxical, but God is a God of paradox. That God, the Creator, Savior, Lord, and King died on a cross for the sins of humanity is the paradox of all paradoxy. Case in point, when we try too hard to hear something from Him, we usually don't hear anything. I don't know why this is, but somehow trying too hard o hear something messes with our ability to hear Him. Rest assured He is still speaking. Instead, be listening and aware of His presence by walking by the Spirit, as we talked about earlier. In this way, we often hear God clearly as we go about our daily lives, whether we're praying, reading Scripture, or driving our car. Practice the presence of God and listen throughout your day and you will hear Him better than if you impatienty stain to hear something right now.

4. Embrace the silence.

There's so much noise in our lives. Chatter, clatter, thoughts, TV, tunes, and loons all constantly clamoring for our attention. If you want to grow in hearing God's voice, you need to learn to embrace silence. We were never meant to live in the midst of so much noise. It's overkill and drowns out the voice of God. Embrace and, as I always say, listen to the silence.

Someone will say, "How? I can't get a moments peace." Well, that is one reason many men and women of God throughout history and today have gotten up early in the morning-- before anyone else-- and spent time with God in a quiet place without disturbance. Some other tips to help you are to turn off the music, TV, and video games and, at all times, be careful who or what content you let through your gates. This will lead to more moments of silence and clarity where you can listen to God.

5. Surround yourself with men and women of God.

This includes as friends, mentors, and a Spirit-filled fellowship where God's presence is tangible. We become like who we spend time with. You need men and women of God to influence you, support you, and speak into your life. They will help you hear God accurately through accountability, wisdom, and layering.

6. Test what you hear.

Since you and me hearing God's voice is extra-biblical revelation, it means discerning between God’s voice, our own thoughts, and e enemy. Therefore, test all voices, words, impressions, thoughts, or images against the Scriptures and humbly seek confirmation and layering through other men and women of God. Pay attention to the fruit of the message—does it bring peace, align with God’s character, and bring you closer to God? If you are wondering if you've heard God's voice, test it.

7. Obey.

If God tells you to do something, obey. Jesus said those who were faithful would be given more.

BONUS: The baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit if you haven't already received it. Although all who have received Jesus can begin to hear God's voice without it, the baptism in the Holy Spirit does greatly enhance your hearing and recognization of God's voice.

Prayer

All that is left now if for us to pray and ask God to help us grow in hearing God's voice.

Growing in hearing God's voice is a process. It has taken me years to learn to recognize His voice, interpret my dreams and more. I did not share about my journey. But growing in hearing and recognizing God's voice is like growing in your relationship with God-- it's a process that takes time. Be paient and persevere. Be in it for the long run.

Pray that God will open our spiritual ears and eyes to what He is saying to us. We want to know His voice and follow Him.

And if you are well on your journey of hearing His voice, then lean into that. Ask Him what He's saying, thank Him and ask to grow closer to Him and go deeper with Him and knowing His voice moment by moment.

Pray with me:

Father, thank you that you love to speak to us. I want to hear you clearly moment by moment every day. I want to know you, to follow you, and to be guided by you. Help me to abide and to walk by the Spirit. Jesus, baptize me in the Holy Spirit with tongues of fire and power. Yes, Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit to overflowing. Help me to guard my gates. May I test all things by the Scripture. May I surround ourselves with men and women of God who will help mentor and guide me in discerning Your voice. Give me dreams, visions, and prophecies in these last days. Show me. Lord, the language of the Spirit. Yes, Lord, open my spiritual eyes and ears. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The Ways God Speaks

This is the second of three posts about hearing God's voice, the ways God speaks, and keys to hearing God's voice. Be sure to read the first post here. 

How does God speak to us? There are a number of ways God speaks. One thing to note, though, is that it is the Holy Spirit that speaks to us through the unique 'language of the Spirit'. The language of the Spirit can be direct and plainly stated or it can be indirect with symbols and numbers.  

Here are the ways God speaks to us:

1. Scripture

The Bible is the foundational and most reliable way God communicates. All other revelations are to be tested against Scripture. God will speak to you as you read Scripture by highlighting words, phrases, or verses, and helping interpret and understand what you read.

Examples: 

• 2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness

2. Inner witness

A sense of peace, conviction, or a deep knowing within the believer.

Example: 

• Romans 8:16 - The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 

3. Thoughts and impressions

God can speak through spontaneous ideas or promptings that are not our own and that align with God’s character and Word. 

Example: 

• 1 Kings 19:12 - After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  

4. Dreams and visions

God can speak through supernatural experiences that may provide guidance, encouragement, or prophetic insight. 

Dreams occur when you are asleep. Visions occur when you are awake. In both cases, it does not matter whether your eyes are open or shut. What distinguishes the two is whether you are asleep or awake. Dreams: asleep. Visions: awake. You can have open-eye visions and closed-eye visions, in both you are awake. 

Examples: 

• Joel 2:28 - “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 

•  Acts 2:17 - “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 
•  Acts 16:9–10 - 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 

5. Prophecy

Prophecies are words spoken under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, often within the context of church gatherings. This includes instances where tongues are interpreted, which becomes equivalent to prophecy because it is the Holy Spirit speaking and then interpreting Himself through someone. 

Examples: 

• 1 Corinthians 14:1–3 - 1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
•  1 Corinthians 14:27–28 - 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God. 

6. Events, circumstances, and signs

God may use events, people, or situations to speak to and guide us. This can include, both, personal and public happenings.

Examples: 

• Jeremiah 18:1–6 - 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2 “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. 5 Then the word of the LORD came to me. 6 He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. 
•  Hosea 1:2–9 - 2 When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the LORD.” 3 So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. 4 Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. 5 In that day I will break Israel’s bow in the Valley of Jezreel.” 6 Gomer conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Call her Lo-Ruhamah (which means “not loved”), for I will no longer show love to Israel, that I should at all forgive them. 7 Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the LORD their God, will save them.” 8 After she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, Gomer had another son. 9 Then the LORD said, “Call him Lo-Ammi (which means “not my people”), for you are not my people, and I am not your God. 
•  Acts 16:6–7 - 6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 
•  Revelation 3:7–8 - 7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 

7. Audible voice

This is rare, but some have heard God speak audibly. Don't count on this happening, it is a sovereign act of God. 

Examples: 

• 1 Samuel 3:4–11 - 4 Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 6 Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 And the LORD said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 
•  Acts 9:4–7 - 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 

As you can see, God speaks in a variety of ways and has a unique language that He speaks through. Growing in recognizing His voice and understanding His language takes time.

In the next post, we will look at keys to hearing God's voice.

Hearing God's Voice

Hearing God’s voice is considered a central and expected part of Christian life. It is rooted in both Scripture and contemporary spiritual experience. This is the first of three posts about hearing God's voice, the ways God speaks, and keys to hearing God's voice.

Why is hearing God's voice important?

Have you ever had a close relationship with someone you didn't talk to? That would be very, very rare. Such a person would probably be mute. Even then, they would probably find other ways to communicate-- signs, writing, pictures, technology, or tactile signs. But to have a close relationship without communication? It's silly to think we can have a close relationship with God and be out of communication with Him! Most of us pray and talk to God, but how many of us actually listen and hear Him talk to us?

Wait, but why is hearing Him talk to us important? Isn't our talking to Him sufficient?

No, it is not and that question misses the point of, both, having a relationship with God and the purpose of prayer.

First, a relationship is a two way street. Jesus said He does only what He sees the Father doing (John 5:19). His 'seeing' what the Father is doing is akin to 'hearing' God's voice. Jesus had a perfect relationship with God-- He is God in human form-- and He heard God perfectly. Jesus is the standard.

When we spend time with someone, we become more like them. When we watch someone, we can begin to emulate them and what they do. And when we listen to someone, we begin to know and understand them better, including what they want and expect from us.

Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me". Hearing His voice helps us follow His lead.

And the purpose of prayer? Prayer is not about us changing God, it is about God changing us and this dark, broken, confusing world we live in. Thus, God speaks to us in order to change us and guide us through this dark, broken, confusing world and to grow us and, by extension, His Kingdom through us.

So you see, God is not mute, nor is He laying incapacitated on a hospital bed. He is speaking and He speaks in a number of different ways.

In the next post, we'll look at the ways God speaks. After that we will explore keys to hearing God's voice.

 

Dreams of Riots

By now, everyone knows what is going on. The rich elites on the political left have organized and funded violent riots across the country. The riots in LA last weekend were the most notable, but there have been others and there are many more planned. 

Last month, I had a dream where I was in a car with some family. We were on a busy boulevard and stopped at an intersection. At the intersection was a sea of people as far as the next intersection. They were walking in neat rows about six feet apart and covered the width of the boulevard from sidewalk to sidewalk. They were walking past us yelling, chanting, and cussing threats and slogans. They had various objects in their hands. I could see hate and derangement on their faces. It was volatile and dangerous. We could not drive away from the midst of all those people.  Finally, after an agonizing amount of time, the last row of people passed us and there stood one lone person with a bullhorn. He instructed everyone to stop and led them in some chants and such. I heard the Holy Spirit say, "It's organized." or "It's being organized.", I can't remember which. I had the understanding that they would be violent and destructive at any moment, but they would also do it in such an organized, professional way so as to evade arrest as long as possible while trying to provoke law  enforcement into overreach. I also knew it would be a terrible thing to get ensnared by their destruction. Fortunately, the last row of people had passed us and I said to the driver, "Go! Go! Go!" and we sped away. When I woke up, I knew the dream was from God.

A month later, on the morning before the LA  riots started, I had a dream where I was in front of my mailbox when a long procession of vehicles began rolling past. They were beat up, used vehicles of every kind-- buses, vans, cars, even a tow truck, etc. They were moving slowly like a funeral procession. At first I thought it was some atheist's weird idea of a funeral (a la The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster), but then I heard the Holy Spirit say, "They are mobilizing." and I began to understand what the dream was about. I was given the understanding that they were going downtown to protest violently and wreck things up. This was also shown to me when the last car in the procession lagged behind while cutting donuts in people's yards and knocking over trash cans. When I woke up, I knew this dream was from God and it's fulfillment was immediate, but I had no idea it would begin within hours. 

Since November 2024, I have had about a dozen dreams like these. They involved carjackings, kidnappings, and home break-ins. All of them have given me the same understanding from the Holy Spirit: organized political violence is afoot. 

While the violence and destruction shows itself as politically motivated, that is only a masquerade. Behind the political agenda is Satan. It's long past time for everyone to understand that the day when politics was just benign  politics are over. Satan has entered the political arena. It's not even about politics anymore. It's about good and evil; truth and lies; God's ways and Satan's ways. That is why God would give me and others dreams,  visions, and prophecies that seem to touch on politics and current events. The dreams, visions, and prophecies are not about politics, they are about warning and guiding the Church in how to pray and navigate the spiritual realm. It's about Jesus shepherding His flock. 

The takeaways from these dreams are that Satan has plans for violence and mayhem in this country in order to try to destabilize, divide, and overthrow this country and God is warning the Church, not just to protect, but to call her to prayer against the evil schemes of the enemy.  How we respond will determine what comes from all of this. 

Pray for the cities, states, and the nation during this time. Pray that law enforcement, troops, and government officials would  be protected and will make wise decisions. Pray for the safety of innocent citizens-- bystanders, drivers, businesses, and homeowners.  Pray for the schemes of Satan to be null, void, and defeated in Jesus' name. Declare and decree it. Pray for the preservation of this country. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you anything He wants you to pray. Ultimately, pray for God to have His way and will done in all of this!

Churches, Clergy, and Sexual Abuse: Prevention and Response

Over the past few decades, churches have faced a troubling number of sexual abuse scandals. Statistics indicate that 14% of pastors admit to inappropriate physical relationships—a portion of which constitutes sexual abuse. These numbers don’t account for volunteers and laypersons, making the issue even more urgent. Preventing these violations of trust within the Church requires both practical safeguards and spiritual vigilance.

Sexual abuse in church—whether targeting adults or minors—is a grave betrayal of trust. Effective prevention calls for legal awareness, ethical conduct, and alignment with biblical principles. This article outlines concrete steps churches can take to protect congregants, uphold integrity, and embody the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

As noted, sexual abuse in religious settings often exploits spiritual authority and relational trust. Offenders may groom victims through pastoral counseling, mentorship, or misuse of theological concepts. Some clergy have even twisted spiritual gifts—such as prophecy—to manipulate victims. It’s essential to differentiate between the authentic use of spiritual gifts and their misuse. Churches should train members in sound prophetic principles and establish oversight teams to evaluate prophetic messages, ensuring alignment with Scripture.

To reduce misuse of spiritual authority, churches should implement shared leadership models that promote accountability. Teach that leadership exists to serve, not to control (Mark 10:42-45). Encourage members to question authoritarian behavior.

Administratively, in order to prevent these breaches in trust and integrity, churches and clergy must take proactive steps to circumvent the risks.

First, the church governance structure makes a significant difference in preventing and resolving sexual abuse. Churches with an autocratic governance structure are more vulnerable to leadership abuses. Autocratic leadership can frame opposition as rebellion. Involve lay leaders in governance to reduce pastoral autocracy. Shared leadership promotes accountability. Baylor University’s research emphasizes that shared leadership curbs abuse opportunities.

Second, all clergy on staff and all volunteers must go through a nationwide criminal background check, renewing the process every 1–3 years, before they can be employed with the church or utilized as a volunteer. This should be mandatory. Furthermore, staff and volunteers should go through careful interviews, reference checks, and social media reviews before being employed or enlisted.

Third, churches and their clergy and volunteers should undergo abuse prevention training. Such programs should teach recognition of grooming techniques and red flags in relationships, boundary-setting methods, appropriate use of spiritual authority, and reporting protocols. Two examples of such training programs are MinistrySafe and Darkness to Light.

Fourth, the church and the individual clergy should establish policies that circumvent abuse-prone situations and that remedy abuse when it does happen. For example, churches can apply any or all of the following:

• Open Door Policy: Ensure doors remain open when meeting with a minor or an individual of the opposite gender.
• Glass Room Policy: If confidentiality is needed, ensure a one-on-one meeting with a minor or an individual of the opposite gender is in a room with an unobstructed glass window and/or door and is in view of those outside the room.
•  Camera Policy: If confidentiality is needed, ensure a one-on-one meeting with a minor or an individual of the opposite gender is in a room with a camera. The audio input into the camera can be turned off, but the video input should never be turned off or obstructed. Furthermore, the video should be accessible to a large group of the church or organization's leaders, including the staff and the board. The video should not be able to be deleted easily.
• Two Adult Policy: Ensure no adult is alone with a minor or an individual of the opposite gender.

These policies should apply to all situations with minors and individuals of the opposite gender, including but not limited to: counseling sessions, small onsite meetings, offsite visits, and digital communications.

Even if the situation is circumvented with one or more of the aforementioned policies, pastors should not provide long-term counseling to minors or individuals of the opposite gender. In such cases, after a short period, refer counselees to licensed Christian professionals to avoid potentially compromising relationships.

One consideration for churches and clergy that involves not only administrative considerations but also spiritual implications is the effects of the use of pornography. Pornography use is a destructive cancer and a breach in the integrity of the individual and the church. Statistics show that 38% of clergy struggle with pornography. Pornography is a 'gateway drug' to more serious forms of sexual immorality, including sexual abuse. It would be wise to address pornography use with clergy, employees, volunteers, and the laypersons of the church. This can be done through a code of conduct policy and agreement, training, internet filters, accountability software, special seminars, and sermons.

Speaking of policies, what should be done when clergy become aware of accusations or admissions of sexual abuse?

This can sometimes be a difficult topic, depending on the situation and the relevant state laws. For example, if a state does not mandate reporting of suspected child sexual abuse, and a member of the clergy becomes aware of the suspicion during a counseling session with the suspected abuser, does the member of the clergy immediately report the suspected abuse, or does he/she honor clergy-penitent privileges (confidentiality)? The answer is not always clear. The course a church or clergy member chooses to take in the event of sexual abuse suspicions, accusations, or admission will have an array of consequences, including possible legal liabilities, the safety of the one(s) being abused, and the care of the soul of the abusive penitent-counselee. With that understood, what follows will provide some guidelines for navigating these situations.

In cases of sexual abuse accusations, churches and clergy should make the immediate reporting of sexual abuse to civil authorities. If a clergy member, employee, or volunteer is the accused, they must immediately be suspended until a thorough investigation can be completed. Never rely on internal investigations alone, as they can be easily manipulated. Utilize an external investigation. In selecting external investigators, avoid investigators who are hostile as well as those with conflicts of interest. In reporting and handling cases of abuse, do not prioritize an institution or organization over the victims.

In cases of suspected child abuse, a clergy member's obligations vary by state. This is largely due to the state's invested interest in the preservation of trust in the clergy and clergy-penitent privileges. The state and the courts have long viewed religion as a benefit to society and the clergy as essential to religion. Therefore, the state and the courts have afforded the clergy certain privileges to protect their role. While all 50 U.S. states require certain professionals, such as teachers and healthcare workers, to report suspected child abuse, the obligation of clergy varies by state. 

Currently, in 28 states, clergy are classified as mandatory reporters, requiring them to disclose abuse even if learned during confidential counseling sessions. These states have overridden clergy-penitent privileges in favor of the protection of the abused. Failure to report in mandatory reporting states can result in misdemeanor charges, fines, or civil liability. 

On the other hand, 22 states permit but do not mandate clergy to report abuse disclosed in privileged clergy-penitent communications. These states preserve the clergy-penitent privileges but protect clergy from liability if their discretion leads them to report suspected abuse from within those confidential communications. 

However, in some states, these confidentiality protections in state statutes can often clash with reporting duties. For example, the minister’s state mandates reporting but also recognizes clergy-penitent confidentiality. In such cases, prioritize the child’s safety. Understand that the adult abuser always has more options than the child victim. When laws conflict, consult an attorney, but err on the side of reporting the abuse. In reviewing your state’s reporting laws, Child Welfare Information Gateway’s database is helpful.

For churches and clergy, it is important to understand all potential liabilities in situations involving sexual abuse. Understanding these potential liabilities helps increase situational awareness and the minimization of liabilities, thus preventing cases of abuse. The following are some other potential liabilities:

• Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Along with clergy-penitent relationships, courts may deem clergy-counselee relationships fiduciary if the minister positions themselves as a counselor. Sexual exploitation in such contexts can lead to lawsuits for:
• Malpractice: Failing to meet professional care standards (e.g., initiating a sexual relationship during counseling).
• Emotional distress: Reckless conduct causing severe psychological harm.

In order to prevent liability for breach of fiduciary duty, malpractice and/or emotional distress, refer long-term counseling cases to licensed professionals and avoid dual roles (e.g., pastor and therapist) to reduce exploitation risks.

• Sexual Harassment: Ministers overseeing staff or volunteers must prevent a harassing work environments. Defining sexual harassment can be broken down into two aspects:
•  Quid pro quo: Conditioning employment benefits on sexual favors.
•  Hostile environment: Pervasive sexual jokes, comments, or imagery.

Preventing liability for sexual harassment means implementing a code of conduct policy and agreement for clergy, employees, and volunteers, including a zero-tolerance harassment policy and training clergy, employees, and volunteers in Title VII compliance as well as principles of biblical and Spirit-filled conduct.

Prevention is not merely training, policy, and procedure. Ultimately, prevention flows from cultivating in our hearts and minds the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Holy Spirit makes doing the right thing effortless. The apostle Paul enumerates the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). For example, self-control enables one to resist immoral urges and to be disciplined in doing what is right. Faithfulness enables one to be true to the trust others put in them. A heart of love and kindness enables one to view others through the lens of compassion, care, and consideration rather than through the lens of lustful, manipulative, and selfish gain.

To cultivate-- or grow-- the fruit of the Holy Spirit, there are multiple keys to consider. First, abide in Christ and walk by the Spirit. To abide means to stay or remain in or with; to stay connected to.  John 15:4-5 says, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing". One abides in Christ by an ongoing relationship with and dependence on Him through faith, prayer, and obedience. Whereas Jesus is God in human form who died, rose again, and ascended to heaven to await a future triumphant return, in the meantime, He sent us His Spirit to transform, guide, comfort, and empower those who believe and surrender to Him. Therefore, we don't cultivate the fruit of the Holy Spirit by trying harder, but by yielding to the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us. Invite the Holy Spirit to work in you daily, asking for transformation in specific areas of your life. Throughout each day, continuously talk with God. Ask Him in each moment for guidance regarding your thoughts, words, and choices. That is what it means to walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 says, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." 

It is essential to supplement the work of the Holy Spirit in your life through spiritual practices such as Scripture reading, fasting, solitude, and worship. Without these spiritual practices, your faith will starve and your relationship with God will suffer. Without faith and a relationship with God, the Holy Spirit cannot work freely in and produce the fruit of the Spirit in you. 

Another obstacle to the fruit of the Spirit is unrepentant sin. Repentance removes the sinful obstacle and allows the Holy Spirit to refine your character and replace sinful habits with godly virtues. Examine yourself and repent regularly, and in particular, as soon as you become aware of sins in your life. Repentance keeps an open connection with God, which is essential for effective prayers and growth, including growth in the fruit of the Holy Spirit. 

All of this is what entails abiding in Christ and walking by the Spirit.

Secondly, surround yourself with a Spirit-filled faith community that encourages accountability and growth. Through Christ, God has given us a spiritual family and called you to participate in that family. God often uses other people to foster growth in us. Just as iron sharpens iron, men sharpen men (Proverbs 27:17). Conversely, in a faith community, you have the opportunity to exercise your gifts and the fruit of the Spirit in you by serving others and fostering their growth. In part, this is what churches are for.

Finally, be patient and understand that cultivating the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life is a process. Persevere and understand that it's not about perfection, but growth. As long as you intentionally abide in Christ and walk by the Spirit in a Spirit- filled faith community, you will grow in the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Again, cultivating the fruit of the Holy Spirit will aid clergy and church people in turning away from fleshly desires such as spiritual and sexual abuse. 

In conclusion, addressing clergy sexual abuse requires a comprehensive approach rooted in both spiritual integrity and legal wisdom. Churches must move beyond reactive damage control and embrace proactive governance, training, accountability structures, and Christ-centered transformation. By doing so, we not only prevent harm but create faith communities where trust, healing, and holiness can thrive.

Dear Restless Heart

The following poem is by Edith Willis Linn.
This poem appears in various devotional contexts and has been shared in Christian communities as a source of encouragement for those experiencing doubt, worry, or restlessness in their faith.

Dear restless heart, be still; don’t fret and worry so;
God has a thousand ways His love and help to show;
Just trust, and trust, and trust, until His will you know.

Dear restless heart, be still, for peace is God’s own smile,
His love can every wrong and sorrow reconcile;
Just love, and love, and love, and calmly wait awhile.

Dear restless heart, be brave; don’t moan and sorrow so,
He hath a meaning kind in chilly winds that blow;
Just hope, and hope, and hope, until you braver grow.

Dear restless heart, repose upon His breast this hour,
His grace is strength and life, His love is bloom and flower;
Just rest, and rest, and rest, within His tender power.

Dear restless heart, be still! Don’t struggle to be free;
God’s life is in your life, from Him you may not flee;
Just pray, and pray, and pray, till you have faith to see.