Have you ever felt like your prayers were bouncing off the ceiling? Do you struggle deciding if itās your own voice in your head or if itās Godās? Do you want to learn to hear from God like āso and soā does? Why does everyone else seem to know what God is saying but you donāt? Do you feel like maybe you arenāt holy enough, good enough, or donāt have the right words when you pray? Do you wonder if God even wants to hear from you or if He cares at all? What does God sound like?
You Are Not Alone in Your Questions
Many believers are frustrated when it comes to hearing Godās voice, especially when we have so many voices all around. Living in the world but not being of this world can be a hard place to be, especially when we havenāt learned what Godās voice sounds like. So how exactly do we learn to recognize his voice? And where do we even start?
Scripture
Godās Word teaches us right and wrong and gives us a basis for morality and integrity. It also gives parameters. If something is outside Godās standards of right and wrong, according to scripture, we know the voice that tells us to go down that sinful path is not Godās voice.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (CSB) – All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Hebrews 4:12-13 (CSB) – For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.
Nature and Creation
God shows His glory through creation, and He uses it to connect with us. He placed a rainbow in the sky as a reminder and promise to never flood the earth again. In John 15, He compares the spiritual discipline of abiding to plants and pruning. Matthew 13 includes a parable about seeds and growth while Matthew 7 compares the man who built his house on the sand versus the one who built his on the rock. Every day He paints a different masterpiece at sunrise and sunset. God uses His creation to speak to us, but we must be still enough to listen.
Romans 1:20 (CSB) – For his invisible attributes, that is, his divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.
Psalm 19:1-2 (CSB) – The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge.
Through Other Believers
How often have we received a note, phone call, text, or personal visit from someone who seemed to show up right on time? God uses friends, family, teachers, preachers, parents, children, and even strangers to reach us. Sometimes the person brings words of blessing, truth, instruction, and encouragement, but other times God moves their heart to speak words of warning or caution. No matter what the message, we must always lay the words against the backdrop of scripture. God will never contradict His word. Ever.
Romans 12:6-8 (CSB) – According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts:Ā If prophecy,Ā use it according to the proportion of oneāsĀ faith;Ā if service,Ā use it in service; if teaching,Ā in teaching;Ā if exhorting,Ā in exhortation; giving, with generosity;Ā leading,Ā with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.
James 3:17-18 (CSB) – But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy, and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
Philippians 4:8 (CSB) – Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendableāif there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy, dwell on these things.
Music
I love it when I hop in my car and the perfect song is on the radio. Thatās another way God speaks to us. He often inspires the writers and musicians to pen songs that minister to our needs and struggles. But these words and melodies can also lead us to a place of worship. Whatās fascinating is many songs and hymns are taken straight from scripture.
Ephesians 5:19 (ESV) – Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.
Psalm 95:1 (ESV) – Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Circumstances and Daily Happenings
Conversations, road signs, doctor visits, grocery storesāanything can be a God wink or a message right to our heart. He can use anything He chooses to get our attention, and we cannot place God in a box. However, we should be careful not to read into every little detail either, calling things signs when they are not.
God also uses our past and will never waste our hurts, as long as we offer those hard moments and seasons to him. Our stories, our testimonies, can be the words another person needs and their words can be what we need as well. God allows hardship sometimes, like with Job, to refocus, grow, and prune us. Itās not fun, but He often speaks to our hearts in big ways through these times of weakness.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (CSB) – Blessed beĀ the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of merciesĀ and the God of all comfort.Ā He comforts us in all our affliction,Ā so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Psalm 51:10-13 (CSB) – God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfastĀ spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit. Then I will teach the rebellious your ways, and sinners will return to you.
Dreams, Visions, Miracles
God spoke to many people in scripture through dreams, visions, and miracles. In Matthew 1:20 He instructed Joseph to marry Mary. He sent a vision to Paul in Acts 16:9 that changed his traveling course to Macedonia. Joseph, in Genesis 37, shares his God-given dreams. In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, and Daniel interpreted it. Elijah performed the miracle of endless flour and oil in the jug for the widow at Zarephath along with raising her son from the dead.
God obviously used dreams, visions, and miracles in the Old and New Testament to propel His Word forward. These can be warnings, specific guidelines, and lessons. But again, a word of caution, we must test every dream, vision, or miracle against the Word of God and Holy Spirit. His messages will never contradict His word.
Daniel 1:17b (ESV) – Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Acts 2:17 (ESV) – And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
Holy SpiritĀ Ā Ā Ā
Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit in John 14:16, āBut the Counselor, the Holy Spirit,Ā whom the Father will sendĀ in my name, will teach you all thingsĀ and remind you of everything I have told youā (CSB). He follows up in John 16:13 with these words, āWhen the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears heāll speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to comeā (ESV).
The promise of the Holy Spirit is such an encouragement. When we come to recognize our great need of a Savior because of our sin, we invite the Holy Spirit to dwell inside us. As the verses say, the Spirit will teach us and remind us of all the words of Jesus. He will guide us in all truth and point us in the right direction. The problem most of us have with the Holy Spirit is we have not taken the time to learn when Heās speaking to us. We stay busy and moving; weāre impatient and pushy. Just because we donāt know what He sounds like doesnāt mean that we arenāt being spoken to. God is a personal God and the way He speaks to each of us depends on our own unique relationship with Him. That means we regularly work on maintaining that critical connection.
And remember, the Holy Spirit convicts us, He does not condemn, shame, or guilt us. Instead, He leads us to confession and repentance.
Prayer
There isnāt a right or wrong way to pray. Journaling, talking out loud, crying, praising, asking questions, pausesāall of these can be prayer. We pray in groups or alone, while driving a car or taking a walk. Prayer is simply talking with God. Itās not about fancy speech or phrases. Itās about communicating with our Creator.
Matthew 6:5-8 (CSB) – Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. When you pray, donāt babble like the Gentiles, since they imagine theyāll be heard for their many words.Ā Donāt be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask him.
Hearing from God only happens when He has our attention. My personal prayer this year has been for God to teach me what His voice sounds like and the only way I will be able to do that is intentionally spending time with Him. Testing the promptings and notions in my heart, being still, and trusting Him when an answer becomes clear are of the utmost importance. Will you join me in this journey of learning to hear Godās voice?
For more on prayer, Take Everything to the Lord in Prayer – Inspire A Fire
Ā© Copyright, Christy Bass Adams 2024, content used from the Called to Christ Bible Study written by Christy Bass Adams, all images from Canva
“Hearing from God only happens when He has our attention.” Truth.
And usually when we are really still and quiet.
Kristy, thank you for such an insightful post.
I’m glad it was relatable! You’re very welcome
Good One, Thank You š
Thank you so much. I was just thinking about how I really want to hear from God.
I am so glad that the Lord has chosen to speak to us personally. He wants to communicate with us on a regular basis. Thank you for a wonderful post.
Beautiful truth. If we seek Him, we Will find Him.