Hearing from God
How do you hear God?
For me, hearing God was not always easy. Even though I have been walking with God almost my whole life, there are still times when I struggle to hear God’s voice. There are many factors that affect this, but I want to encourage you that if you have ever, or do ever, struggle to hear God’s voice, you are not alone.
Usually the reason we can’t hear from God isn’t because he isn’t speaking or doesn’t want us to know what we are asking. Often times we have so many other things going on in our life that cause overwhelming noise and prevent us from hearing what God is saying. Sometimes we don’t want the answer. Sometimes the pressure we put on ourselves can block us from positioning ourselves in a way that opens us up to hear what God is saying. Whatever the case, know that it is possible to hear from God.
John 10:27 says this: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
Hear are some Biblical insights on ways we can hear from God:
His Word.
Ps. 119:105
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
John 17:17
17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.
2 Timothy 3:16
16 Every Scripture[a] has been written by the Holy Spirit, the breath of God. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
God’s will is in his Word. Now, while there may not be the specific answer to your prayer such as “Should I date this person? Should we buy this house?” etc, the principles of the word can help shine a light on the direction God desires for you to look. Spending time learning what the Bible says is a way to adjust yourself to hearing God’s voice in your life. Just as he brings scriptures to life when you read, his spirit can reveal things to you throughout your life.
Through your Spirit
John 10:27
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 16:13
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.
1 Samuel 3
In this passage, Samuel hears God for the first time. I love this story because it somewhat describes the reaction we have when God is speaking to us. We question it. We question ourselves. We think it may be something else. What I also love about this is that God kept speaking. Samuel was obedient, even though what God had said was a hard thing to pass on to Eli. Sometimes what God tells us is not always what we want to hear. Ask God to help you when the answer is not what you think it should be. Keep trusting Him.
Peace Of God
This one is a little more ominous, but I have found it to be a priceless compass in my life when I am determining which way to go. The best way I have ever heard it described was like this:
Peace feels like velvet on your heart, and when it is absent, there is a sensation like sandpaper on your soul. For me, this was wildly helpful. The crazy thing about God’s peace is that it doesn’t always make sense, but you know it somehow. That’s what I felt with my husband while we were dating. (Not right away, but in time) That’s what I experienced when I was praying about what school to go to. That’s what I feel when I make a decision to trust God no matter what. His peace doesn’t mean that things aren’t difficult. It just means that he is with you.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.
Phillipians 4:6-7
6 Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, 7 then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.[a]
This does not mean everything will fall into place. It also doesn’t mean that everyone will be on board with what God is asking you to do. This simply means you have a trust that goes beyond what you see that God is going to make a way for something to come to pass.
Through other people
Everyone should have people in their life who can speak into it. You need spiritual leaders, a mentor, a counselor- someone who can help you pray about what God wants to speak to you about. God orchestrated us to function as a body, not as islands!
Proverbs 11:14
Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 19:20
Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future.
Hebrews 13:17
17 Obey your spiritual leaders and recognize their authority, for they keep watch over your soul without resting[n] since they will have to give an account to God for their work. So it will benefit you when you make their work a pleasure and not a heavy burden.
Verse 7
7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.
Friends and family*
*Note that not all friends and family will be the best advice-givers about your life. But sometimes, it is important for people you know the most to help you process what you believe God is telling you. You know who you can trust. Go to them. Not everyone.
Prov. 26:7
You can trust a friend who wounds you with his honesty,[a]
but your enemy’s pretended flattery[b] comes from insincerity.
Philippians 2:3
3 Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves.
Here are three questions to ask when you are trying to determine God’s will in your life:
Will this bring Glory to God or to me?
Do I have peace?
What do those closest to me think about this?
Has God spoken to you about something in your life, big or small? Let me know in the comments! How have you heard from God in your life?
