Imagine an impression, conviction, direction or affirmation imprinted so strongly upon your spirit that you knew for certain it came from God. It’s an appealing idea, but we may wonder:
How can we know when a thought is divinely bestowed?
The above promise from Jeremiah 33:3 indicates we can distinguish God’s voice. (Further evidence includes Isaiah 30:21, John 8:47, Revelation 3:20, and more.)
In addition, many respected Jesus-followers offer affirmation, based on their own experience.
Below you’ll find excerpts from some of these teachers, preachers, and authors, to answer our questions about hearing God speak within our hearts—questions like:
TO WHOM DOES GOD SPEAK?
To those who belong to God.
To those who make time for stillness.
God [is] waiting in the depths of my being to speak to me
if I would only be still enough to hear His voice.
–A. B. Simpson, quoted in Streams in the Desert, 255
To those willing to sit in silence.
Silence is the room we create for the searching of God,
where we hear his voice and follow.
–Mark Buchanan, http://christian.net/resources/bible-verses-about-hearing-god/
To those who prepare themselves to hear.
God will speak to the hearts of those who prepare themselves to hear.
–A. W. Tozer, God Still Speaks; Are We Listening?
WHY DOES GOD SPEAK INTO THE HEARTS OF HIS CHILDREN?
When God speaks, His chief aim is to reveal Himself.
He desires to make Himself known and lead
you into a more intimate relationship with Him.
–Priscilla Shirer, Discerning God’s Voice, 105
HOW CAN WE KNOW THAT GOD IS ACTUALLY SPEAKING TO US?
He speaks in love (Jeremiah 31:3), not condemnation (Romans 8:1).
One of the distinguishing characteristics
which will identify His voice is that it will
highlight His great, never-ending love for us . . .
Even when He is disciplining and correcting you
He is still operating from
His foundational character of love.
Love is how He is.
–Priscilla Shirer Discerning God’s Voice, 112
Whatever God says will concur with his Word.
When God speaks, it always lines up with the Bible—
His character and His actions.
He is kind, loving, inspirational, wise, healing,
and convicting without being condemning.
–Alice Clarke, https://www.catchthefire.com/blog/prophecy-prophetic-c45wm
Confirmation from elsewhere may also present itself.
When [God] speaks to you internally,
and then causes other events to confirm what he’s saying,
it’s not coincidence, luck, or chance.
It is likely his sovereign hand orchestrating circumstances
to help lead you to his will.
When God speaks, he does so persistently.
–Priscilla Shirer, Discerning God’s Voice, 76
WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE OUR LISTENING ABILITY?
Spend time in God’s Word.
The more time we spend in the Bible,
the more familiar we become with his voice,
making it easier to recognize it when he speaks.
–Denise J. Hughes, Deeper Waters, 50
Pray.
Prayer can lead regularly to personal encounter with God,
which can be indeed a wondrous, mysterious, awe-filled experience.
–Friedrich Heiler, Prayer: A Study, 129. Referenced by Timothy Keller in
Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God, 43.
Be still.
How rare it is to find a soul quiet enough to hear God speak.
–Francois Fenelon
Take time to wait.
I listen for His voice. I wait. I take the time.
And He has never failed to meet me
at the place of listening.
–Joni Eareckson Tada, 31 Days Toward Intimacy, 82
Stay alert.
God murmurs in the silence of unexpected places.
–l. l. barkat, God in the Yard, 87.
Even at the kitchen sink.
“Just as this beautiful cluster of grapes once grew on a vine,
you are growing beautiful fruit as you abide in Me”–JESUS (John 15:5).
If we ask God to reveal himself, he’ll do it—as he chooses—through little whispers, confirmations, divine delays and heavenly echoes that corroborate with what he’s already saying through His Word and Spirit (Priscilla Shirer, Discerning God’s Voice, 193).
Let’s ask him now.
* * * * * * * * * *
Jesus, please quiet all the loud voices that flood my heart and mind. Give me ears to hear the gentle sound of your voice. Speak Lord, your servant is listening. Amen (Chrystal Evans Hurst, Kingdom Woman Devotional, 41).
Psalm 37:7; 1 Samuel 3:9
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Beautiful quotes reinforce your points, and I’m left with the feeling of longing because I know that in my impatience and self-enforced “busyness,” I’ve missed hearing the divine Voice before, and I don’t want that to be the pattern going forward!
I have missed God’s voice too, Michele–too many times. BUT, forgetting what lies behind, we press onward to the goal of becoming better listeners! (And praise God, he takes pleasure in progress not just perfection!)
Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening . . .
Yes, God is with us always, Nancy, and knows what is best for us. When we sit in silence, away from the world’s distractions, it is much more likely we will hear Him speaking to our hearts. This is such a timely and thoughtful reflection, Nancy. Thank you and blessings!
Thank you, Martha. May we all become eager listeners!
Amen! Thank you for this awesome and inspirational post!!! Once again, you have brought all these scripture passages and readings together so beautifully. I think this is one of my favorites so far of your posts…There are many!!!
You are so welcome, LInda. Praise God this post ministered to your spirit!
What a beautiful sound is the voice of God. Wrapped in love and based on the foundations of His Word. Great is our God.
Your lovely thoughts here sound like the beginnings of a poem, Brenda! Indeed, when we KNOW that a heart-impression has come from the God of the universe himself, it IS a beautifully wondrous thing.
Praise our God
What a great collection of reassuring quotes but that verse from Jeremiah is the best!
Thank you, Jean. I can see why you’re drawn to Jeremiah 33:3. It IS a verse that engenders confidence, hope, and anticipation!
Thanks for encouraging your readers to take the time to respectfully listen for God’s voice. Your advice-along with helpful suggestions-are confidence builders to perk up our senses and welcome Him in! 🙂
You’re welcome, Nancy. You make an excellent point about perking up our senses. They can prompt us toward becoming better listeners. For example, when we see a glorious sunrise, we can hear God’s voice say, “I’m so glad you like it. It’s one of my love-gifts for you today.” When we note the aroma of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:15) in another believer, we can hear God say, “Follow her example.” And when we feel happy tears well up during worship, we can hear God say, “Your joy in Me is arming you with strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Let it flow!” Such sensory experiences offer fitting opportunities to hear God’s voice throughout our daily lives.
Your thought suggestions for conversations with the Lord are wonderful. Thank you, Nancy. Praise God for His wondrous ways. 🙂
Thank you, Nancy. It’s a path of discovery, isn’t it–a glorious path that never ends!
Such excellent scripture and wisdom about how to hear God’s voice and know it is Him we are hearing. I love how you mentioned the importance of getting to know God through His word as a way of discerning His voice in our lives. It’s like answering the phone and knowing who it is right away by the sound of their voice. Thank you always, Nancy, for your insights and wisdom that are such a blessing to me.
What a wonderful analogy you’ve added to the conversation, Patti, about knowing who’s on the phone by the sound of their voice. Brilliant! And praise God this blog brings you blessing. We know he’s behind every word we write!
I find “unsearchable” to be a thought-provoking word (in the Jeremiah verse). Its use didn’t resonate with me until I read the rest your post. Then I realized, “unsearchable” is defined in the context of not being able to live a fulfilling life without God’s guidance. What we seek (yearn for) can only be discovered through commune with Him.
There is much about our infinite God that our finite minds will never be able to understand. But we can ALWAYS count on him to reveal what we NEED to know (Psalm 25:8-9). And you are so right, Dave: Following God’s guidance does indeed lead to a fulfilling life (John 15:10-14). I pray MANY may discover the indescribable joy of communing with God!
It always agrees with His Word.
Indeed Barb–that’s an important fact to keep in mind!
I love the quote by Priscilla Shirer where she speaks of anything God says to us is grounded in love. I think it’s easy to forget that God doesn’t condemn or pour out guilt and shame on us–His voice will be filled with truth spoken in love. And you’re right–the more time we spend in Scripture, the more we can hear truth. This was hugely helpful, my friend. Thanks.
I’m so glad you found this post helpful, Dayle. Praise God! Priscilla Shirer’s Bible study, Discerning the Voice of God, is full of wonderful reminders and insights!
Thank you for this reassurance. I especially need His direction at the moment.
Praise God for inspiring this post at a time most helpful to you, Anna!
Many times, when I have been at my lowest, adrift in fear, anxiety, and aloneness the Lord has reminded me of Isaiah 41:15:
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you’”.
This verse does not randomly enter my thoughts for no reason. It is proof that the Lord is speaking to me at that particular moment because He knows my innermost fears and is acutely aware when I am especially vulnerable and in need of this comforting reminder that steadies me. It validates His promise that He will never leave nor forsake me. I could be listening to a Christian radio program, reading a devotional, or having a memory pop up on Facebook ‘seemingly’ out of the blue. But I know in my heart that the Lord is speaking to me at this time because He knows my innermost being and when I am especially in need of His protective reassurance.
It is thrilling that this happens to me so very often that it has become a special connection between Him and me.
How wonderful to have a special scripture that speaks comfort and reassurance–just when you need it most. I don’t doubt for a minute that God is speaking his truth to you in those moments! And I couldn’t agree with you more: it IS thrilling to “hear” his voice within our spirits, augmenting our connection with him.
Nancy,
Busyness is always knocking too. It’s knowing who’s there before answering.
Thanks, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
And busyness certainly is persistent! You make a good point, Gary. We have to make time for quiet meditation in order to “hear” God’s voice. For me, that’s always been early in the morning. During my 26-year teaching career, it meant going to bed earlier than most adults (!), but it wasn’t a hardship. Quiet time is my favorite time of the day.
Yes.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
My willingness to be still is frail at times. Yet I know that is when I hear Him speak. I am trying to be more on purpose for finding quiet time to listen to Him At the same time I am studying through Revelation and He sure speaks in it. A couple of the ladies in my Bible study suggest we study Rev. I have never wanted to because of fear I would not have understanding needed to teach it. I am loving the study, getting exciting as I read and think upon the scriptures. Good post.
Indeed, God certainly speaks through his Word in the Bible! That’s his primary mode of communication with us–as you’ve experienced while preparing for your women’s Bible study. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the study of Revelation!
Amen. In a world defined by whose blowhorn shouts the loudest, our Heavenly Father uses His silent, benevolent presence to transmit His whispers to us. We find it in His Word, Holy Communion, our intimate prayer life, and other faithful Christian witnesses. Nancy, thanks so much for preparing and sharing this encouraging testament. May God’s grace and peace continue to lead you in your Christian writings.
Thank you, Richard, for your kind encouragement and prayer.
Beautiful. His voice has calmed my chaos and fears, given me clarity, flooded me with peace and comforted so many times. I need this voice like the ocean needs water….
So true, RH. I’ve experienced the same!