When faith is weak, people seem to be unable to stand against adversity. How can they keep their faith strong and sure at all times? Faith built on real experiences with the Spirit and power of God will stand firm in every situation. Paul wrote “my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5 KJV). Experiencing God’s power will cause your faith to stand, regardless of the circumstances you face. This study examines how people can really experience God.

Images versus Reality

A minister’s description of God may prompt a beautiful image in the minds of people. However, an image is not reality.  Learning about God without experiencing him would be like a young man viewing a photograph of a bride rather than marrying his sweetheart. The photograph is only an image of the real thing. Little can be learned from the photograph. There is no life exchanged in viewing a photograph. “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies” (1 Corinthians 8:1). Continually being taught about the knowledge of God inflates a person’s ego, but it is an empty image without experiencing God and his love. Life can be expected to flow in a relationship between God and a believer. Supernatural experiences with God will impact and change lives. Such supernatural experiences will always be remembered, strengthening faith in difficult situations encountered later.

Biblical Examples

The book of Romans gives useful instructions on experiencing God. As you continue to operate in faith in the midst of difficult situations, your patience will be perfected and God will move on your behalf, which is an experience with God. Paul wrote “we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope (Romans 5:3-5). Patience will keep your faith effective so you will experience God’s help. By experiencing God in one situation, you will have hope for his help in the next difficult situation that you face. As you have experienced God’s help in past situations, your faith can stand firmly on these supernatural experiences with God, being certain that he will help you face new situations. As you form a strong personal relationship with God, you will become increasingly aware of his ever abiding presence in your life.

People who do not glorify God or give him thanks become confused in their thinking (Romans 1:21). In their confusion, they cannot sort out experiences with God from other things. They could not know whether he visited them. They might discard true experiences with God and cling to other things as experiences with him. In contrast to these confused people, you can glorify God and give him thanks just for his presence with you. In addition, glorify him and give him thanks for everything he does for you. Glorifying him and giving him thanks will help keep your mind clear and your heart sensitive to his visitations. In other words, you will know when you encounter him and when he does something for you.

The story about ten lepers who asked Jesus for mercy provides insight on supernatural experiences (Luke 17: 11-19). All ten asked for mercy, and all ten received mercy for everyone who asks receives (Matthew 7:8). They were cleansed and healed. Only one returned to Jesus to glorify God and give thanks for his healing. The Samaritan fell at the feet of Jesus and worshiped him. Jesus said his faith had made him well. The other nine did not return to glorify God and give thanks for their healing. The reaction Jesus gave to their failure to return and glorify God indicates the seriousness of missing a visitation of God. Just as Romans 1:21 states, they became dark in their heart and mind. They became confused over their healing after they refused to glorify God. Only the one who turned back to give God glory knew he had truly experienced God. Jesus recognized that this man’s faith was effective.

Practical Applications

People can experience God in a wide variety of ways. Some examples are briefly described below. Hearing God’s voice and being led by his Spirit will be emphasized in this discussion.

Salvation: Jesus came to call sinners to repentance, which is a change of thinking and direction, so God will be merciful to them (Matthew 9:13). It is only through God’s mercy and grace that sinners are saved and brought into the kingdom of God so they can receive the fullness of the blessings of God. A person’s first, and most important, experience with God is salvation, inviting Jesus into their heart. No one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him/her (John 6:44). Jesus said you must be born again (John 3:7). Only by this new birth will you be able to enter the kingdom of God and see the things in the kingdom of God, which include experiencing God (John 3:3-5). A person who tries to enter the supernatural realm of the kingdom of God without being born again is called a thief and a robber (John 10:7-8).

Relationship with God: Building a strong relationship with the heavenly Father, his Son and his Spirit prepares a person to experience God on a continual basis. Make the relationship with God your top priority and set aside time to communicate with him. Seek the King, his kingdom and your position in his kingdom (Matthew 6:33). Build a strong relationship with him through studying the word of God, prayer, fasting, praise, thanksgiving, worship, etc. Remember that communication is a two-way street. Give him time to speak to you, and always be sensitive to his voice and his leading. Lay aside everything that would hinder your relationship with God, and keep focused on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2). As you draw near to God, he will draw near to you (James 4:8). Believers have to train their senses to be sensitive to the supernatural realm (Hebrews 5:14). Otherwise, God will speak and they will think it only thundered (John 12:28-30). Experiencing God can become your way of life.

Filled with the Spirit: When you are saved, you have a measure of the Holy Spirit abiding in you (1 John 2:20, 27). However, you can be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit after being born again. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not optional; we are commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Being filled with the Holy Spirit is critical, because the Holy Spirit takes the things that belong to Jesus and shows them unto us (John 16:13-15). The Holy Spirit will reveal the supernatural realm to us. As our spirit becomes sensitive to the Holy Spirit, we will recognize his guidance and instruction, which are experiences with God.

Gifts of the Spirit: Believers can experience God thought manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). Words of knowledge, wisdom and prophecy are manifestations of the Spirit. One of the most important aspects of prophecy is to help people hear the voice of God by confirming when they are hearing his voice. Those believers who give the word and those who receive it should glorify God and give him thanks for the manifestation of the Spirit. Likewise, the other gifts, such as healings, miracles and faith, should be acknowledged as experiences with God. If people are never exposed to the gifts of the Spirit, how would they know the real thing when it happens? It is helpful to train your senses to the supernatural realm by being with believers who operate in the gifts of the Spirit.

Conclusions

Build a strong relationship with the heavenly Father, his Son and his Spirit. Take note of your various supernatural experiences with God and give him thanks for the supernatural experiences. Learn to hear God’s voice, and become sensitive to the supernatural realm. Then you will know when the Holy Spirit is moving and ministering to the people. Through practice you will have your senses trained to distinguish the difference between good and evil. Your spirit and mind will remain clear and alert so that you will be able to discern a true experience with God.