I am often asked these questions: “How do I learn to hear God? What does God’s voice sound like? Is it audible?”
God speaks to us in many ways:
Scripture
Nature
Impressions
Dreams
Sometimes people wonder if they are hearing God or talking to themselves.
There are only three voices you can hear in your spirit. It will either be God, the enemy, or your own voice. You will have to discern among those three voices.
Ask yourself: “Does what I am hearing line up with God’s Word and with His nature?”
It helps to practice talking to God. You can talk out loud to Him. The more you call on God and ask to hear His voice, the more you will be able to discern His voice.
Try this to start a conversation:
Say, “Jesus, I love you.” Then be really quiet. What do you hear? What did God say?
People have also asked me, “When I think I’m hearing from God is it because I want to do what I want to do?”
Again, does what you are hearing line up with God’s Word and with His nature?
What are your own motives in what you are asking Him? Are you being selfish and focused on you? Have you really asked God and are waiting to hear His response? Or did you just decide, “God, here is what I’m going to do, please bless it”?
Ask God something that’s on your heart. Listen for His answer. Check it out in the Bible. Does the answer you heard line up with what He says in His Word?
Another common question is this: “What if I don’t like His answer?”
What makes you think you wouldn’t like His answer? He always wants His best for you. Why do you assume you wouldn’t like His answer? Ask yourself where that concern is coming from.
If you hear His answer and don’t like it, ask yourself why you are reacting to it this way. What is His answer triggering inside of you?
Remember, God likes obedience. Have you ever given your children an answer they didn’t like?
Here is another frequent question: “Can other people hear from God for me?”
Yes, they can, but why would you want them to? Don’t you want to hear from Him yourself?
Other people can confirm what you are hearing, but God wants a relationship with you.
If someone hears a word from God for you, do you witness to what they say? Does it resonate with you? Be cautious of who is telling you. Don’t cast your pearls before swine.
If you feel that other people can hear God, but you can’t, ask yourself, “Who is God to me?”
Your relationship with your earthly father can affect how you hear from Father God.
Here are some ways you can get better at hearing God:
- Study the Word. God speaks through His Word, and His Word helps you learn to hear His voice.
- Talk to Him. Then listen for His response.
- Journal what you hear from Him. Look to see if it lines up with His Word and His nature.
- Build a friendship. Ask God a “get to know you” question you would ask a new friend.
Take some time now to practice. Ask God a question. Write the answer. Check that it lines up with His Word.
Keep practicing, and you will get better at hearing God.
