In a world full of distractions, along with our short attention span, we can easily confuse the voice of God. We can forget how God speaks because we lack direction and guidance due to our minds being filled with never-ending cycles of thoughts.
Nevertheless, God still speaks to us.
Jeremiah 33:3 says, “‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’”
The promise God made to Jeremiah back then still applies to us today. In his word, God continuously encourages his children to call on him.
We may imagine the voice of God as mysterious and uneasy to identify, but the word of God shows two different ways God undeniably speaks to his people.
God speaks through the Word
The Bible is inspired by God, and it’s the first source a follower of Christ has to discover his character. It wasn’t written for entertainment purposes, and neither is it classical literature that must be interpreted by scholars.
It’s the book of life that leads us to Jesus Christ.
The beautiful thing is that God is no respecter of persons. His words are intended for all audiences, cultures, and races. The Bible has the power to change and reveal truths to anyone who reads it.
And that’s a direct way God uses to speak to us.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
As we read the word of God we may feel convicted and instructed. The Bible will teach us and help us grow.
2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”
We learn about his character
We will learn who God is, his desires, his reactions, and most importantly his love for us. The more we know him, the easier it will be to identify his voice in different situations.
For example, in the book of Exodus, we can witness God’s love for his people as he used Moses to get the Israelites out of slavery. At that time, the Israelites were broken in spirit and lived in a constant state of oppression. They didn’t have hope of a better future, and they were accustomed to living as slaves, yet God’s love is revealed through their hardship.
We learn that God did not give up on them even when they had given up on themselves. We learn that God came to their rescue. God loved them so much that even unbelief didn’t stop his perfect plan.
What God did for the Israelites, he can do for us.
When we find ourselves in a situation full of brokenness or disappointment, we can hear God’s voice through the Bible tell us:
…‘my plans for you are of welfare, to give you a future and a hope.’
Jeremiah 29:11
God speaks through the Holy Spirit
Hebrews 1:1-2 says, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 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.”
In the Old Testament, God spoke through prophets. In the New Testament, God spoke through Jesus. Now, God speaks through his Spirit. Of course, we also have the words of Jesus as a reference.
How does the Holy Spirit speak to us?
The Bible says that the Holy Spirit speaks to us through our conscience, which is an inner voice. When our conscience is ruled by the Holy Spirit our feelings and thoughts do not judge themselves but are governed by God’s word.
Romans 9:1 says, “I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit is our guide. He is someone we can rely on. We don’t have to be afraid or question his decision because he speaks the truth and his intentions are pure.
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”
John 16:13
We know it’s the Holy Spirit speaking to us and not our voice because it can be confirmed with the Word of God. What the Spirit says will not go against the Bible, since he is part of the trinity and in unity with God and the son of God.
John 14:26 says, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
Can God speak to me through someone else?
Yes, God speaks to us through people all the time. When we attend church God speaks to us through pastors and speakers. God can also speak to us through friends or parents, but the Word tells us to be aware of false individuals that may share words based on emotions.
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
1 John 4:1
The Bible also teaches us to be careful of people that may seem righteous and are not. They are Satan’s servants fooling those who are vulnerable in faith.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 says, “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”
It’s spiritually dangerous when we begin to rely on hearing God’s voice through other people. Those words can bring destruction and blind us to the truth.
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2 Timothy 4:3-4
Let’s remember that God’s voice will speak the truth, and the truth will not always say what we want to hear.
Prayer to discern God’s voice
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the gift of your Word, that we have access to a Bible, and for the many answered prayers. Thank you because you always direct our life to the truth, even when it may feel painful. I ask you to help me discern your voice apart from other voices that are constantly pulling my attention. Help me to not confuse your voice with my own feelings or desires. I ask you to show me great and unsearchable things. And when your Word penetrates, help me to humble myself and surrender to you. Continue to teach and correct me through your Word. I give my heart and conscience to you. Holy Spirit I ask you to govern my decisions and guide me. I trust that you will remind and teach me everything God has said. In Jesus name, Amen.