There are many different ways in which people claim to hear the voice of God, and there are different ways to interpret the phrase “hear God’s voice.” Many Christians have reported the sensation of “hearing God” in their hearts. This is very subjective, but it seems to be an inner sense or intention, right and wrong. I can’t speak on their experiences, but I can speak of my own. I have experienced what I would call ‘hearing God’s voice” on a few occasions. There have been times when I could tell there was not just me “sensing” something. It was “other than me.” I believe it was God. Now, this is not normative. It is rare. In my life, it’s happened maybe 2 or 3 times. And I remember each one distinctly. But this is just a subjective experience. Nevertheless, what are some of the ways to hear God’s voice?
Read God’s Word
This is the most obvious and straightforward way to hear from God. The Scriptures are the word of God (2 Tim. 3:16), and by reading it, you can understand precisely what God is saying. This is basic in the Christian faith. Read God’s word to become familiar with what He says and teaches. That way, anything that you think is coming from God can be subjected to the Bible. Hopefully, that way, you will not be misled by the subjectivity of experience.
Pray
Though this is also subjective, there is a sense of the presence of God in prayer. When we pray, we open our hearts and speak to Him. In a very real way, He moves our hearts to be more like Him as we seek His will, intercede for others, and ask to understand the Scriptures. So, pray and ask God to speak to you whichever way He decides.
Conviction of sin
The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins (John 16:8). This is a form of hearing the voice of God. When this happens, we feel grief in ourselves because of something we did wrong. It’s painful in a spiritual sense, and it guides us. It is a real movement of God in us. So, listen to it and examine Scripture to learn what to do, how to forgive, ask for forgiveness, and treat others.
The preaching of the word of God
When you go to church and listen to a preacher proclaim the word of God in a sermon, you hear the word of God. It is an examination and explanation of Scripture – and we need it. One person said preaching the word of God is the word of God. So, go to church and hear God’s word preached. It is a great way to hear from Him.
Circumstance
God can work through circumstances to answer prayers. He can close the door and open a door. He directs us through the circumstances of our life, whether it be the Godly council, a job loss, an accident, a blessing at work, great advice from a friend, etc. He is the sovereign King who can speak to us through circumstances, and He often does. Praise God.
Dreams
Though this is another very subjective way of hearing from God, the Scriptures definitely teach that God spoke to people in their dreams. But once again, we must be sure that everything we think might be from God in a dream must be subject to the Scriptures. Always study God’s word and never let your subjective experiences overpower the truth of God as revealed in the Bible.
- 1 Kings 3:5, “In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, “Ask what you wish me to give you.”
- Matt. 1:20, “But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”
Conclusion
So there you have several ways in which God can communicate with us and where we can, so to speak, hear the voice of God. But once again, I must repeat that the Scriptures are the final authority. If you think you hear from God, then subject it to Scripture. If it does not agree with God’s word or contradicts it, then dismiss it.
