Hearing God’s Voice
Hearing God's voice is not for the select few; all believers can hear His voice. — John 10:3-4
Have you ever wondered if God is speaking to you, but you're just not hearing Him? Many people struggle with this question, feeling as though talking with God is reserved for spiritual elite or biblical figures. Yet Scripture tells us something profoundly different—hearing God's voice isn't an exclusive privilege; it's available to every believer!
When notifications constantly fight for our attention, learning to recognize God's voice might seem more challenging than ever. But what if the problem isn't that God has stopped speaking, but that we haven't learned how to listen?
This guide offers practical, scripture-based approaches to hearing God's voice that anyone can apply. Whether you're new to faith or have been walking with God for decades, these simple practices can transform your time with God. Let's explore together how to quiet the noise, tune in to heaven's frequency, and discern when it's truly God speaking to your heart.
Simple ways to start:
Focus your mind and heart on Jesus (Colossians 3:1-2) — When someone speaks to us, we turn to look and listen. It is the same with God. God is frequently speaking, but often times our busy and noisy inner lives hinder us from hearing Him. When we come to Him, we turn our hearts, thoughts and attention to Him and what He is saying.
Surrender your mind, will and emotions (Romans 12:1) — As we do this, we come with open hands to receive and ears to hear.
Believe and expect (Hebrews 11:1) — Radio waves are constantly playing even though we cannot see them. In order to hear, we must tune in. In like manner, God is constantly speaking and we must tune in by faith to hear His voice.
Ways God speaks:
Below are a few handrails to understand if it is God speaking or not.
Scripture (Hebrews 4:12) — Scripture is the foundation for how we know God and hear His voice. At times, the Spirit will cause a verse to stand out and bring new revelation and insight into a situation.
A still small voice or whisper (1 Kings 19:10-13) — Often times, God speaks to our redeemed thoughts, senses and imagination. Here are a few examples of how that happens:
Thoughts (1 Corinthians 2:16) — We have the mind of Christ and God speaks through our thoughts. For example, as you pray for your neighbors you suddenly think to pray peace for their children.
Mental images or pictures (John 5:19, 8:38) — God often speaks into our imagination through mental pictures, just as Jesus did what He saw the Father do. For instance, you are praying for America and you see God lighting a fire in the Midwest in your mind's eye, which leads you to pray that God's presence would fall in the Midwest like a fire.
A sense (Ephesians 1:13-14) — God's Spirit is sealed in us, and will speak to our innermost being. For example, throughout the day you have an intuitive sense or feeling that you need to pray for a friend or talk to a certain person.
Dreams (Acts 16:9) Not all dreams are from God, but sometimes we wake up with a clear sense that God was speaking.
Other — Be open for God to speak outside the box, such as with an audible voice (Matthew 3:17, Acts 9:4), a vision you see with your eyes (Acts 10:9-11), natural circumstances (Psalm 19:1-2), etc.
Is that God?
Does it line up with scripture? – God will not contradict His Word.
Does it bear the fruit of the Spirit? (Galatians 5:22-23) – Is what you are hearing filled with and cause love, joy, peace, patience, etc.?
What does it produce? – Does it produce liberty or bondage? Does it produce life or death? Does it draw you closer to God or push you away from God?