Who Do You Talk to First? - Free Indeed - Ep. 48

Summary

Barry Bennett teaches that when Christians face hardship or need wisdom, they should turn to God first through prayer and develop an ongoing relationship with Him. He says this fellowship—supported by Scripture and attention to the Holy Spirit—helps believers discern guidance, find peace, and decide what to do.

Bennett does not reject advice or prayer from other people, but presents them as secondary to seeking God directly.

Key Practices and Strategies

• Make prayer your first response to difficulty. Bring problems, questions, and uncertainty to God rather than immediately relying on another person’s advice.
• Build fellowship with God as a daily practice. Talk with God throughout the day, not only during formal prayer. Bennett describes doing this while driving and during everyday activities.
• Spend time in the Bible. Ask God to speak through what you read. When a passage stands out, pause to reflect on it and write it down so you can remember and consider it.
• Ask God directly for wisdom and guidance. Share what is troubling you, explain what you do not understand, and ask what you should do. Bennett encourages patience and attentiveness to impressions or insights that may emerge.
• Pray in the Spirit regularly. Bennett recommends this as part of his Christian practice, saying he believes it helps believers become more receptive to spiritual guidance.
• Reduce distractions. He compares spiritual attentiveness to listening to music in a quiet room versus a noisy street, arguing that busyness and clutter can make it harder to notice what God is communicating.
• Seek other people’s input when useful, but use discernment. Bennett acknowledges that pastors, counselors, teachers, and friends may offer helpful advice, while emphasizing that they have limited knowledge. He sometimes checks an impression with someone he trusts.
• Keep practicing. Bennett says sensitivity to God develops over time through regular prayer and Scripture reading, rather than appearing instantly.

Presenter and Sources

• Presenter: Barry Bennett
• Biblical passages cited: James 5:13; 1 Corinthians 1:9 and 2:12; James 1:5; John 14:16; Psalm 118:5; John 5:19; Matthew 13:15; John 10:27.
• Book mentioned: You’ve Already Got It, referred to in the program as Andrew’s book.