How do I hear the voice of God?

The God that we serve as Christians, is not absent and does not desire to be separated from us.

At the heart of the Gospel, lies a story of One who would go to the greatest lengths to restore His relationship with humanity. Our God is not silent. No, He speaks. Any good relationship requires good communication. It is natural then, for God’s children to have a desire for hearing God’s voice.

I ask this question for a number of reasons. First, as we have already stated, the Bible IS the Word (voice) of God. It is His Word for all humanity, yes, but it is also His message for you personally. Secondly, reading God’s Word helps us to become familiar with His voice so that when He does speak, we are able to recognise that it is Him who is speaking. Finally, the more we know God’s Word, the more effectively we will be able to test the messages that we are hearing. This is discernment.

We shall discuss each of these points in more detail as we continue, but it will suffice to say that the first step in hearing the voice of God is regularly reading the Word of God.

Many testify that God has given them ‘pictures’ (in their imagination), while others report hearing Him speak to them audibly. My experience is that God generally speaks to me through impressions on my heart. In my time as a university student, I lived in a regional area and spent a good portion of my life on trains. God would often prompt me to speak to other people during my commute, challenging me with simple suggestions like, “Speak to that person” or “Pray for him”. Admittedly, there were often occasions when I sheepishly avoided God’s prompting, however, there were other instances where I found the courage to have fruitful conversations— talking to people I had never met before about Jesus, and even on a few occasions, giving them a Bible.

In addition to these kinds of promptings, most Christians can testify of a moment when the Holy Spirit comforted them during a difficult period of their life, or convicted them when they were about to do something harmful or careless. These are examples of God still speaking today.

This is where discerning the voice of God becomes very important. As a youth leader, my wife had to deal with two struggles with young Christians who were learning to hear God’s voice. Some of the teenagers she was discipling were so unsure about whether they were hearing from God that they were not confident enough to act. Others apparently struggled to differentiate between God’s voice and their own emotions, and would act impulsively without first testing what they had heard. Both are issues that can be overcome with good discernment.

Ask yourself: “Is this in line with God’s Word, or is it in line with my emotions?”

The first thing I ask myself is whether the voice I am hearing is in line with God’s Word or not. This is why regular Bible reading is vital. When we read the Bible regularly, we become familiar with God’s voice. Earlier this year I was walking through a busy shopping center when I heard a nearby voice say “Hey bro!” At this point I had not seen their face and had no way to gauge whether they were even speaking to me. However, even with just these two words, I instantly knew that the person speaking was my close friend Chris. Chris and I had known each other a long time, served regularly at church together and he had been the best man at my wedding. Even in a crowd I could recognise his voice because I had become so familiar with it. It is the same way with God. The more we read His Word, the easier it will become to recognise His voice.

On the other end of the spectrum, some voices line up more with our emotions than they do with the Word of God. This is often evident when some Christians declare that God is leading them to go in a certain direction one month, then in a completely different direction the next. God, they say, has called them to a particular church, but after a short amount of time, He suddenly calls them to another. This type of ‘pot-plant’ Christianity is perhaps a sign that someone is being led more by their own emotions, than the voice of God. By contrast, the voice of God often challenges us and prompts us to act, despite the emotions we are feeling, and encourages us when we don’t feel qualified or confident. His voice always implores us to do that which exalts Christ and builds His church.

This advice is particularly applicable when we believe that we have heard something from God. It is always prudent to consult with a mature Christian— someone you trust in leadership. While no leader is perfect, they can offer a fresh perspective and help guide you as you begin to hear God’s voice. Even as someone involved in leadership myself, there are still ministry peers and leaders in my life whom I regularly consult in this manner. As the proverb says,

We will finish by looking at four simple strategies:                                            

Wanting to accurately hear God’s voice and guidance is a good thing that is in accordance with His will. This is perhaps the simplest step of all: Pray a simple prayer, asking God to speak and to help you hear/discern His voice.