I think you might also call it listening to the subtle deep inner voice?
Well, I don't want to trivialize it to that level. I mean, I have an inner voice whereby which I "talk" to "myself." But this is different.
But the question is in my mind how far do you trust this deep inner voice?
Well, it depends on the voice, doesn't it? One of the gifts of the spirit that I have is "discerning [hearing] spirits." Some in this realm would consider that similar to "psychic" abilities, but it's not psychic, really (denoting using the mind or psyche). It's actually spiritual (meaning, we are spirits inside the vessel that is our flesh)... and it is by means of that... that I communicate and am communicated with. So, for me, it is not just one voice that I hear (although more often than not, it is only one); it actually depends - on the situation... as well as "where" I "am" at the time (i.e., spirit beings do not sleep, and so the spirit realm is virtually filled with "noise."). Most humans, however, will only hear one or a few voices, unless they have access to the spirit realm.
So, how far you trust a voice depends on whose voice it is: if it is mine, well, I have to confess - I am certainly not the sharpest tool in the shed (no, seriously) and so have made some pretty... ummmm... questionable... choices in my life. So, I don't often listen to "me" anymore. I tend to just make it way too complicated for myself.
If it is a voice I don't recognize unknown to me, I don't listen unless or until it has identified itself to me. And, in some instances, then, I quit listening once the spirit is identified as one I have no need to listen to. I mean, what's the point?
If it is or my Lord (usually) or the Father (very, very rare - and I explain that below), I listen as closely, carefully, deeply and intently as I can. Because the information is very important. To me... and for me. They have proven that to me and so I trust their voices, to absolutely no bounds.
Even if it claims to be a super being like God or his son?
Here's the thing about spirit beings: unlike US (earthling man), they cannot directly lie to God or Christ... or, by default, those who truly belong to God, through Christ. Thus, I don't need to worry about who it is... who it "claims" to be: all I have to do... is ask. My Lord did this himself, when he had Legion identify theirselves. If you ask a spirit being a direct question (i.e., "Where have you been?")... that spirit MUST respond... and do so in truth. Because they don't possess flesh (with its blood) which HIDES what the spirit (man inside the fleshly vessel) is/holds... there is no point in them lying. True, you and I might not see their truth, but every other unconfined spirit being absolutely will. My Lord explained this truth to me early on when he first started communicating with me in the way he does now.
I have heard the voice of the Most Holy One of Israel only four times now; however, it is always very brief... and it is ALWAYS accompanied by the voice of my Lord, whose voice I hear daily (and, previously, when I wasn't so preoccupied with my own puny little life, almost 24/7). What occurs is that the message is actually coming from God, but it must come through Christ. Thus, on these occasions, I heard both voices, simultaneously. I think that's why the Apostle John and others describes as sounding like "many waters." It is not like the rush of a river or waterfall... but like... well, several "tracks" of sound laid atop one another but spoken at the exact same time. Sort of like a kind of "stereo," if you will.
There is also another way: if a "voice" is telling you to do or even THINK something... and that something is harmful... to yourself or to another... even your enemy... it is NOT the voice of God OR Christ. It can't be. I know, I know... someone will ask, "But what about what God said in the OT?" To that I would respond that my Lord said he came to "bear witness to the TRUTH..." which truth is the truth about God, about who we are, and about the kingdom... and not ONCE did he tell anyone to do anything harmful to ANYONE... including his enemies. Indeed, he restored the ear that Peter cut off... and he asked the Father to forgive the people who put him death.
"Yes, yes," some will say, "But the OT says..." Indeed, it does. However, after having come to know God and know Christ... and I do mean KNOW them, intimately, by means of a union of spirit... I would say to those who take this position but who claim to "belong" to Christ: you really should try to pay attention and UNDERSTAND my Lord's words when he said, "WOE, to you... scribes!" Because there was a REASON he condemned their conduct... along with that of the Pharisees.
The TRUE God is slow to anger (you have no idea!), merciful (again, you only know the half of it!) ... and abundant in loving kindness (we could never presume to measure, truly!). That the OT has Him being a hasty vengeful meterer-out of "justice" is... a great error. And we have been lied to in this regard. Truly. Which is why those who were called to serve, as prophets, apostles, whathaveyou... did so... willingly! Once they came to KNOW Christ... and God through Christ... they realized they had been lied to, that the Father is NOT like earthling man has made Him out to be... at all. WE, however... earthling man... are like that... starting with Adham who sold his entire progeny for his own selfish gain... and Cain, who killed his own brother.
And the Bible is just one of many so-called "holy" books that appeal to OUR senses and OUR thirst (for blood, vengeance, retribution, payback... things WE call "justice" but are not!) in this way.
I bid you peace... and ears to hear, if YOU so wish it.
A slave of Christ,
SA
...OUTLAW