Do you find hearing God’s voice difficult?
Listening and understanding how to hear God’s voice for ourselves is something we all struggle with. It may feel as though we are talking and hearing from a brick wall, contending with a multitude of inner voices, or facing uncertainty regarding the practical application of His teachings in our daily lives.
Once a perfect relationship, now fractured
Before sin entered the world, our connection with God was not limited to isolated events; it was a daily way of life. We were created to reside in God’s constant presence, experiencing a remarkable and unblemished friendship and communion.
Genesis 3:8 provides a striking image of the LORD God walking in the garden during the serene hours of the day. Picture God, Adam, and Eve conversing, sharing, deliberating, and shaping their plans together.
When we ponder the Garden of Eden, a place untouched by sin, we realize that our relationship with God wasn’t limited to isolated moments but rather an inseparable aspect of our everyday life. Our very design involved residing in the unbroken company of God, savoring an unparalleled, perfect companionship and communion.
However, we often fall into the trap of compartmentalizing our spiritual journey with the Lord, confining it to specific periods, and then proceeding with the remainder of our day as if it were detached from the moments we recently shared with God.
Sin then enters and shatters this perfect relationship between God and man. On this earthly side of eternity, we will never again encounter a perfect connection with God. Both our ability to communicate with God and our capacity to perceive His voice will be challenging due to the destructive impact of sin.
However, despite our imperfections and the broken state of the world, through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross, we gain access to a flourishing relationship with the Lord. We can establish an intimate connection, engage in meaningful conversations with Him, and progressively enhance our ability to hearing God’s Voice.
Who Are We Connecting With?
God is not merely a casual acquaintance, a distant figure in the sky, or a harsh dictator. Nor is He a feeble, whimsical character who merely goes with the flow.
It is essential for us to understand that once we become Christ Followers, we have the privilege of forging a relationship with the ultimate Father, our closest Friend, and the omnipotent King.
Consider these verses:
“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” – John 15:15
In the Greek language, the word used for “friend” here is the same word for a best man at a wedding and also for a member of the King’s inner circle. It signifies a profoundly special kind of friendship we can enjoy.
He refers to us as His Children:
“For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs — heirs of God and coheirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” – Romans 8:14-18
Upon becoming Christ followers, we are regarded as God’s children, of immense value to Him, and undoubtedly individuals He wishes to speak to.
Therefore, it is unquestionable that God desires a close relationship with us. As in earthly relationships, this intimacy is nurtured through two-way communication, encompassing both speaking and listening.
How Does God Actually Speak to Us?
There are a number of ways to develop our capacity for hearing God’s voice. I believe that God often uses a combination of methods over the course of our lives as we walk with Him to communicate with us. At times, His voice may be subtle, urging us to step out in faith. On other occasions, His message may be so powerful that we cannot resist following it. Often, multiple threads of revelation are woven together, forming a beautiful tapestry of clarity as we reflect on the decisions made while walking humbly before the Lord.
How can we grow in our ability to hear God’s voice?
Choose to Listen: Each day presents us with the opportunity to listen for God’s voice with a heart that truly desires to hear. We play an active role in this process; it won’t happen by chance. Consider these powerful passages:
“One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.” – Psalm 27:4
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – James 4:7
“You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13
“But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” – Deuteronomy 4:29
These verses are filled with action words directed at us—words like submit, resist, draw near, cleanse, purify, seek, find, and search. These actions are essential if we are to be in a position to clearly hear God’s voice.
Build Listening Habits: Just as building any habit requires consistent practice over 30 to 90 days, we must build the habit of listening. Over time, we will learn to recognize hearing God’s voice in our lives, and it will become second nature. King David is a remarkable example of this:
“I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.” – Job 23:12
“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” – Psalm 119:97
“I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.” – Psalm 77:12
“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
To cultivate this habit, begin with daily moments spent with the Lord, asking Him to speak, reading His Word, and listening for His voice. If you’re not currently doing this, start with just a few minutes.
Correct your thinking is crucial. Worrying is repetitive thinking about a problem, whereas meditating on God and His desires for our lives is positive and constructive. We must ensure our thinking aligns with truth. Consider these passages:
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.” – Philippians 4:8
“For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Take time to assess whether your daily thoughts are rooted in Scripture or influenced by societal norms, fear, or external opinions.
Through Radical Obedience with Faith: The Lord delights in our response of faith. Even when His voice isn’t crystal clear, stepping out in trust demonstrates our friendship with Him, and it pleases Him. Consider these verses:
“You are my friends if you do what I command you.” – John 15:14
“Now without faith, it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6
Begin stepping out in faith as you hear God speak, always ensuring that His voice aligns with Scripture. This is an exciting way to learn how He speaks to you personally.
Through Honesty and Vulnerability: We don’t need to put on a facade when communicating with God. He knows everything about us and desires our honesty and vulnerability. Pour out your heart to Him, sharing your joys, sorrows, and frustrations.
“When you pray, don’t babble like the Gentiles, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. Don’t be like them because your Father knows the things you need before you ask him.” – Matthew 6:7-8
Remember that God is always with you, and He appreciates it when you come to Him as your true self. Those who hear God’s voice are those who are available, humble, unafraid of vulnerability, committed to God’s Word, patient, pursuing purity, and passionately dedicated to seeing people come to Christ and advancing God’s mission. Let’s strive to be those kinds of individuals.
