At the end of the day, this is the bottom line to me. I have a Creator, Who means to participate in my life. What He does with anyone else is between He and them.God can communicate with Christians any way He sees fit--it's His prerogative.
I find the conscience of man to be incomplete at best.
Are you thinking in terms of the conscience that all men possess? That part of God's Law written on all men's hearts?
Are you thinking in terms of a "repaired conscience", overwritten by a more complete Law in our rebirth?
As I think about the conscience, it seems to me to be part of what is being renewed in the renewing of the mind. But that it can still lead us astray.
I realize what you are saying, that there is a part of us that knows what's right and what's wrong, and that this is the Voice of God inside us.
I need help finding my keys, and understanding difficult passages, and knowing which of the 3 seeming right ways to go is what He wants.
You speak of God desiring us to stand on our own, make our good choices, like that. I find I want nothing more than to wrap myself like a three year old around His leg, and I find my life in that. To cling to Him like a little child. And that fits how I see myself, a wreck and a failure, what did Solomon say? I don't know how to go out or come in. I need someone to lead me like a child, and He does.
2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us that it's God's glory reflected in us that transforms us into that same glorious image.
I think you are right that God's private communications with us are really for us. Like you say, not for us to declare things based on His inner voice. How many times to Christians tell each other, "I've got a word from God for you", except, it doesn't fit, doesn't make sense, and yes, we question, is that really God?
This has become my way too. I can't say whether or not the man spent a year living in an ecstatic state. But I can say whether or not I find his words to agree with Scripture.So I just talk about what I experience and know--I'll let others speak for themselves.
My issue comes with those who have an experience with God, and suddenly they become experts on how to talk with God, or how to hear God. They think they've become a messenger boy for God, to tell everyone else how to do as they did, connect with God, and be blessed.
I chalk that up to over-exuberance, that this way must be the best way, or the only way. Of course, this can also be revealing deeper issues not yet renewed.
I really do think God speaks to us in various ways, firstly through the Bible, secondly through our thoughts, and through others, and through our circumstances.
Mostly what I tell others is, Trust Him. He knows how to speak so you will hear Him, whatever that way is, just trust Him.
Much love!