5 Tips on How to Hear God’s Voice

Originally posted on January 11, 2023 @ 12:35 pm

God is a supreme being who loves us and yearns for constant fellowship with us.  God constantly speaks to his children; communicating his thoughts, plans and intentions to us. Many believers are confused and do not understand anything about hearing God’s voice. When I got born again, I was also confused and I didn’t understand how to hear God’s voice.

It was difficult for me to separate the voice of God and that of my emotions. It took dedication and time for me to fully understand when God is speaking to me. In this article, i share different ways God speaks to us and tips to hearing God’s voice. Let’s start with different ways God speaks to his children.

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Benefits of Hearing God’s Voice

Hearing God’s voice can greatly impact one’s life, providing many spiritual, emotional, and practical benefits. Here are ten benefits we enjoy when we are able to hear God’s voice :

1. Hearing God’s voice provides clear guidance and direction for life decisions, helping us make choices that align with His will and purpose.

2. Hearing God’s voice brings peace and comfort, especially in times of distress and uncertainty.

3. God’s voice provides strength and encouragement, empowering us to persevere through challenges and trials.

4. Hearing God’s voice reassures individuals of His love and presence in their lives, promoting a deeper relationship with Him.

5. Regularly hearing God’s voice contributes to spiritual growth and maturity, helping us becomes more Christ-like.

6. Discerning God’s voice can warn of looming danger or lead away from harmful situations, providing protection.

7. Hearing God’s voice imparts divine wisdom and understanding, guiding us in complex situations.

8. God’s voice reveals His plans and purposes, helping us align our lives with His greater plan.

9. The ability to hear God empowers and equips us for effective ministry and service to others.

10. Regular communication with God, hearing and following his will breads intimacy with God.

Ways God Speaks

God speaks to his children in numerous ways. As we grow in God, the better our understanding of how God speaks to us. Here are some of the ways God speaks to his children:

1. God speaks through his word

One of the surest and most important ways God speaks to us as believers is through his word written in the bible. The word of God contains truths and revelations that are vital for our walk as believers. The Bible was written by people who had a close relationship with God. The words of the scripture are powerful and they are life.

(all scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do Good work.

2 timothy 3:16-17

The word of God is a powerful instrument of God, and following a regular bible study and quiet time helps to fill our bank of his word. Jesus was able to use the word of God to fight against temptation when he was tempted by the Devil three times. Whenever I am dying to hear from God, I usually read the scriptures and this has always worked for me.

I encourage you to see the Bible as more than a book and constantly read through the powerful words written in the scriptures and I believe God will speak to you.

2. God speaks through other believers

Over the years, I have learnt that God speaks to us through other believers who are around us. God didn’t create us to thrive in isolation, he has made us relational beings. When we relate with people, God sometimes uses them as a channel to communicate his thoughts to us.

An example in the scripture is the story of the Ethiopian eunuch and Philip. The eunuch was reading the scriptures but he couldn’t understand all he read. God sent Philip to explain the scriptures to the eunuch which bore fruit. The eunuch got baptised in the river and I believe he continued serving the lord.

Acts 8:26-39

I have experienced God speaking to me through other believers especially when my heart is burdened and I find it difficult to clearly understand what God is saying to me. God has also used me to speak to others, expressing his thoughts and plans for them. I believe this is the reason the bible emphasizes that we shouldn’t forsake the gathering of fellow believers.

 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 
Hebrews 10:25 KJV

3. God speaks through a Still Small Voice

God speaks through an audible voice and we can hear. This experience is not common but it is real. When God speaks this way, you hear it like someone is talking to you but you can’t see the person. This way of communication is well documented in the scripture; the bible gives us examples of God communicating this way.

• Elijah (1 kings 19:11-14)

God spoke to Elijah through a still small voice after he killed the prophets of Baal and he was tired. The Lord called him to come to mount Sinai where God spoke to him in a gentle whisper. This scripture amazes me because there were lots of events that preceded God’s words.

• The baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9-11)

The bible recorded that a voice from heaven spoke and confirmed that Jesus was the son of God. This is an example of God speaking through his voice.

• Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3)

While Moses was shepherding the flocks, he saw a burning bush that amazed him. The bush was burning but the grass wasn’t consumed. Moses moved close to the bush and God spoke to him through a voice coming from the burning bush.

4. God speaks Through our Inner Voice

There is an inner voice in all of us which is the Holy Spirit. He guides us and speaks the word of God unto us. The voice of the Holy Spirit is like a conviction, we just know the right thing to do whenever we need guidance. The inner voice is more than conscience, the conscience is there for every human. Our conscience only judges us based on what we think is right and not what God wants us to do. the more we obey and follow God, the more our conscience yields to the holy spirit.

5. God Speaks Through Casting of Fleece

The casting of fleece is one of the ways God speaks. Although, this is recorded in the bible majorly before the Holy Spirit came. The casting of fleece is asking God to lead you by giving you a sign. An example of the casting of fleece in the bible is when Gideon put out a fleece before God in Judges 6:33-40. When God commanded Gideon to go to war with the Midianites, Gideon put out a fleece before God asking God for a sign which God answered. Gideon did this test twice to be sure he had God’s backing and he won the battle.

I believe as Christians casting fleece isn’t a reliable way to always hear from God. Many of the patriarchs who used the casting of fleece as a way of hearing from God didn’t have the Holy Spirit. they weren’t privileged to live in the dispensation of Grace where we can access the throne of grace directly.

6. God Speaks Through his Servant or Prophet

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 

Hebrews 1: 1-2

God always speak through his servants and his prophets who are faithful in service to him. The servants of God are God’s mouthpiece on earth. They carry his words around the earth and God speaks to us through them.

In the bible, God spoke to the Israelites through various prophets who communicated the words of God to them. Some of the prophets include Moses, Ezekiel, Elisha, Samuel etc. these days God is still speaking through his prophets.

I have experienced going to church for worship and the preacher or pastor will say timely words that meet my needs. This has happened many times.

7. God Speaks Through Dreams and Visions

God speaks through dreams, Visions and trance. I know many people God speaks to through dreams. There are many examples of such experiences in the old and new testament which include;

• Joseph’s Dreams about his future

Joseph was a dreamer who constantly had dreams about God’s plan for him and his future. Joseph also had the gift of interpreting dreams and his dreams came to pass.

• Pharaoh’s Dream

God spoke to the pharaoh through his dream of the thin and the fat cows. Pharaoh saw a glimpse of a future disaster and God used Joseph to avert the disaster.

• Joseph flee to Egypt

God instructed Joseph to flee to Egypt to protect Jesus and Mary. Thankfully Joseph obeyed God’s instruction revealed through the dream and Jesus was saved from Herod’s wickedness.

• Peter’s vision of clean and unclean animals (Acts 10: 9-33)

Peter had a vision where he saw a large sheet lowered from heaven, the sheet contained various animals both clean and unclean. God commanded him to kill any animal and eat it.

God showed him the vision to explain his plan of taking the good news to the gentiles who were considered unclean by the Jews.

• John’s revelation of heaven

The book of revelation written by Apostle John was a trance. He saw heaven in a trance when he was abandoned on the island of Patmos. God revealed to him events that have happened in the past and future events too.

God still speaks through dreams and visions even today.

8. God Speaks Through Prayer

Prayer is the key. Prayer is a channel of communication between God and man. We shouldn’t approach prayer as a way of pouring our thoughts and needs into God. Whenever we go to the place of prayer, we should go with an open heart to receive from God always.

5 Tips to hear God’s voice

I understand how difficult it is to discern the voice of God, especially for new believers. I believe these tips to hear God’s voice will help you to recognise God’s voice and also keep you in close contact with God.

• Regular and constant quiet time

Having regular quiet time helps to tune our ears to hear God. When we form a habit of regularly spending time with God; we tend to be spiritually inclined and sensitive to his voice. Regularly spending quality time with God helps us to reach spiritual maturity and nurture others.

• Obeying God’s instruction regularly

I have realised that constant obedience to God’s instructions helps to increase your confidence in God and hear God more clearly. When we form a habit of obeying God in little things, he can speak to us more, and we can hear him more.

• Surround yourself with believers

It is important to surround yourself with believers (people who are truly born again) to hear God’s voice. We find it difficult to hear the voice of God because we are surrounded by people who do not understand the mind of God for us. 

• Have confidence in your ability to hear God

God is not a respecter of man, he communicates with anyone willing to hear him. God can speak to you and he can speak through you. 

• Don’t force it

Indeed, God speaks regularly to his children but it is important to patiently wait for God to speak. Don’t force a word of direction when God has not spoken. Patience is a virtue that helps to truly recognise when God speaks.

Final Thoughts

Hearing from God is a privilege for Christians, we have access to the throne of God. Every believer can hear God without needing help from anyone. I believe that with determination, patience and resilience you will be able to hear God’s voice with confidence.

God still speaks