Discover how to discern God’s voice in everyday life. Learn practical strategies and deepen your faith journey. Experience the divine connection today. Learn more with the message Hearing God’s Voice
Part 2: Hearing God focuses on how to recognize and discern God’s voice in our lives. Drawing from John 10:27, we explore the various ways God speaks—through His Word, the Holy Spirit, circumstances, and the counsel of others. We’ll discuss the importance of developing spiritual discernment and the role of silence and solitude in tuning into God’s guidance, as seen in 1 Kings 19:11-12. The message encourages creating intentional space in our lives to hear from God, offering practical steps like journaling to track and reflect on what He is saying.
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Notes from Hearing God’s Voice
Thanks for joining us for Part 2 of our series, “Deepening Your Relationship.”
In Part 1, we studied the importance of recognizing that true Christianity is NOT a religion, but a relationship with the Creator of heaven and earth. For the remainder of the series, we’re going to focus on how to deepen that relationship. Today, we will take on Part 2: Hearing God’s Voice. Like any relationship, communication is key. Imagine being married to someone you never talk with. Pretty empty, pretty shallow—not a relationship anyone would want.
Unfortunately, many Christians today have never developed that basic part of their relationship with God. Prayer is often nothing more than giving God a wish list of things you want Him to do for you. When those prayers go unanswered, we begin to doubt God and His love for us.
Prayer is a two-way communication between us and God. It’s not just about presenting our requests, thoughts, and concerns to Him, although that is part of it, but also about taking time to listen for His response, His heart, and His desires. As we speak to God, we should also quiet our hearts to hear His voice, whether through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, insights from Scripture, or a sense of peace and guidance in our hearts.
This reciprocal exchange deepens our relationship with God, reminding us that prayer is a dialogue where we both speak and listen, aligning ourselves with His will.
Telling God what we want or what we want Him to do is driven by our perceived needs and desires. We recognize a need or a desire and take it to God. Yes, God wants to grant your desires, but there’s a catch:
Psalm 37:4 (NASB95) 4 Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.
What’s the catch? If you want God to give you the desires of your heart, you must first delight yourself in the Lord.
Delighting ourselves in the Lord means finding deep joy, satisfaction, and contentment in our relationship with God. It means chasing after Him instead of the things of this world that do not satisfy. It involves making Him the source of our greatest pleasure and fulfillment rather than seeking satisfaction in worldly things. To delight in the Lord is to prioritize His presence, His Word, and His will above all else, allowing our hearts to be captivated by who He is. It’s about aligning our desires with His and trusting that He will shape and fulfill the desires of our hearts in ways that honor Him.
So for God to grant the desires of our hearts, those desires must first be in accordance with His will.
We need to recognize when He is speaking to us.
1 Samuel 3:1-11 (NASB95) 1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord before Eli. And word from the Lord was rare in those days; visions were infrequent. 2 It happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well), 3 and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was, 4 that the Lord called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6 The Lord called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word of the Lord yet been revealed to him. 8 So the Lord called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli discerned that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 And Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 Then the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 11 The Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.”
As followers of Christ, we are called to know and discern God’s voice in our lives. It’s on us to take the time to listen and discover His method of communication with us.
The Bible records several instances where God speaks audibly to individuals, though such occurrences are relatively rare. Here are some key examples:
Adam and Eve – God spoke directly to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:9-19). Noah – God gave Noah direct instructions about building the ark (Genesis 6:13-21). Abraham – God spoke to Abraham multiple times, including calling him to leave his homeland (Genesis 12:1-3) and during the covenant (Genesis 17:1-21). Moses – God audibly called Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:4-10) and spoke to him frequently during the Exodus (e.g., the giving of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 19:19-20:1). Samuel – As a child, Samuel heard God’s voice calling him audibly at night (1 Samuel 3:1-14). Elijah – God spoke to Elijah in a “still, small voice” after a dramatic display of wind, earthquake, and fire (1 Kings 19:11-13). Job – God spoke audibly to Job out of a whirlwind (Job 38-41). Jesus’ Baptism – God’s voice was heard from heaven affirming Jesus as His Son (Matthew 3:17). The Transfiguration – During Jesus’ transfiguration, God’s voice was heard from the cloud saying, “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him” (Matthew 17:5). Saul (Paul) on the Road to Damascus – Jesus spoke audibly to Saul during his conversion experience (Acts 9:3-7).
These examples show that while God has spoken audibly at various times in biblical history, it was often in extraordinary moments to communicate His will, guidance, or correction.
Maybe you’ve never heard God’s audible voice like Samuel did—that’s okay. I promise you God speaks to you in many ways.
John 10:27 (NASB95) 27 “My sheep hear My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.”
This is Jesus speaking. We are the sheep in this analogy. We hear His voice, and He gives us directions for us to follow.
God Speaks to Elijah
1 Kings 19:11-13 (NASB95) 11 So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Although you may want God to speak audibly to you, He will speak in many other ways.
I. How God Speaks
A. Through His Word (The Bible):
The primary and most reliable way God speaks to us is through Scripture. The rule we have: God will never contradict Himself. He will never tell you something that doesn’t line up with His written Word.
B. Through the Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit dwells in us and prompts us with guidance, conviction, and comfort.
I was taking a group of kids home from a Youth Bible Study—something I did on a regular basis. One time I turned down a side road only to discover later that if I had gone the regular way, I would have been involved in a multi-vehicle collision.
C. Through Circumstances and Creation:
God uses life events and His creation to reveal His will and nature.
Romans 1:20 (NASB95) 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made so that they are without excuse.
World Trade Center 9/11 – 23 years ago on Sept 11 this Wednesday 2,977 people lost their lives that day – worst tragedy in American history 50,000 people worked in WTC On average 140,000 visited the site every day—that’s less than 1.5% ACR Only 20 survivors were pulled from rubble
There were only 17,000 of the 50,000 avg workers who showed up for work that day
I remember hearing story after story from people who normally worked but suddenly didn’t go into work that day: Kid was sick Wife got called into work so husband had to work from home to watch kids Car wouldn’t start Missed train Story after story of people saying why they didn’t go in that day
I believe God uses circumstances and situations to lead us. Don’t believe me?
What about Jonah? God told him to go to Ninevah. He declined and got on a ship heading opposite direction. A storm caused Jonah thrown into sea then swallowed by big fish then puked up on beach right beside Ninevah. God had job for Jonah—He wasn’t going let him out because many people needed hear saving words Ninevah.
D. Through Other Believers:
God often uses other Christians speak wisdom encouragement correction lives.
Proverbs 11:14 (NASB95) 14 Where there is no guidance people fall, But abundance counselors victory.
We’ve all faced different things learned from them…at least I hope. Part being community sharing experiences so all learn from them.
E. Through Visions Dreams
In both Old New Testaments God spoke people visions dreams offering guidance revelation prophecy.
Acts 2:17 (NASB95) 17 ‘And it shall be last days,’ God says, ‘That pour forth Spirit all mankind; And sons daughters shall prophesy, And young men shall see visions, And old men shall dream dreams;
Genesis 37:5–9 (NASB95) 5 Then Joseph had dream told brothers hated more. 6 Said them “Please listen dream had; 7 behold binding sheaves field lo my sheaf rose stood erect behold your sheaves gathered around bowed down my sheaf.” 8 Brothers said him “Are actually going reign over us? Are really going rule over us?” hated more dreams words. 9 Now another dream related brothers said “Lo had another dream behold sun moon eleven stars bowing down me.”
Acts 9:10–12 (NASB95) 10 Now disciple Damascus named Ananias; Lord said him vision “Ananias.” Said “Here I am Lord.” 11 And Lord said him “Get up go street called Straight inquire house Judas man Tarsus named Saul praying, 12 seen vision man named Ananias come lay hands so might regain sight.”
F. Through Angels
Although rare instances Bible where God spoke audibly individuals such Moses Samuel Jesus’ disciples.
Exodus 3:4 (NASB95) 4 When Lord saw turned aside look God called midst bush said “Moses Moses!” Said “Here I am.”
1 Samuel 3:4–10 (NASB95) 4 That Lord called Samuel said “Here I am.” 5 Then ran Eli said “Here I am for you called me.” Said “Did not call lie down again.” So went lay down. 6 The Lord called yet again “Samuel!” So Samuel arose went Eli said “Here I am for you called me.” But answered “Did not call my son lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know Lord nor had word Lord yet revealed him. 8 So Lord called Samuel again third time rose went Eli said “Here I am for you called me.” Then Eli discerned Lord calling boy. 9 And Eli said Samuel “Go lie down shall calls say ‘Speak Lord servant listening.’” So Samuel went lay down place. 10 Then Lord came stood called times “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said “Speak servant listening.”
Matthew 17:5 (NASB95) 5 While still speaking bright cloud overshadowed behold voice cloud said “This My beloved Son with whom well-pleased listen Him!”
Hebrews 13:2 (NASB95) 2 Do not neglect show hospitality strangers by some entertained angels without knowing it.
II. Discerning God’s Voice Among Noise
A. Knowing Difference:
God’s voice often gentle consistent aligned Word. Does not bring confusion fear contradiction. 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NASB95) 33 For God not God confusion but peace churches saints.
B. Practical Discernment:
Evaluate whether hearing aligns Scripture character God. Consider whether brings peace conviction rather anxiety impulsivity.
III. Role Silence Solitude Hearing God
A. Learning Be Still:
Just Elijah found God stillness must quiet ourselves hear His voice. Difficult discern His voice hectic pace life. Take time quiet yourself soaking. Psalm 46:10 (NASB95) 10 “Cease striving know that I am God; I will exalted among nations exalted earth.”
B. Creating Space Hear God:
Set aside intentional time daily routine undistracted prayer listening.
IV. Practical Steps Listening God
A. Daily Devotion Prayer:
Consistency prayer scripture reading helps attune hearts hear God’s voice.
B. Journaling Track God’s Voice:
Writing down thoughts impressions scriptures stand help clarify God’s messages over time.
Recap ways which God speaks importance discerning His voice lives. Challenge congregation intentionally create space their lives listen God week. Reassure them as His sheep they can trust that God desires speak guide them.
Pray heightened spiritual discernment congregation. Ask guidance Holy Spirit help everyone hear respond God’s voice daily lives.
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