Is it really possible to hear God’s voice? To know when He is speaking to me?
Maybe you’ve heard someone say, “the Lord told me … “ or “I’ve sensed the Lord saying … to my heart” and it’s made you wonder if you could discern God’s voice too. Have you ever had thoughts like these:
How do I know for sure God is speaking to me? Maybe it’s just a random thought in my mind? What if I make a decision based on what I think God is telling me and then find out later I was wrong … then what?
If you find yourself mulling over questions like these, I want you to know you’re in good company. In fact, I used to really wrestle with trying to discern God’s voice and wondered if was the only Christian on earth who couldn’t understand what God was trying to tell me.
But over the years, as I’ve spent more time with God – through prayer, reading His Word, singing songs of worship and being in His presence – I’ve come to know Him better and recognize the tone of His voice.
As my relationship with the Lord has grown over the years, so has my understanding of His character, His ways and His will. This has made it easier to discern when God is speaking to me.
Although I’m growing in the knowledge of God every day, I long to know Him more on a personal level. I want our conversations to be less monologue {me doing all the talking} and more dialogue {God doing most of the talking}
Honestly, I can’t ever recall hearing God speak audibly to me. But there have been a few times in the last several years where I’ve experienced the loudest “thoughts” ever! Thoughts that carried real substance, weight and distinct tone. And each time, it literally took my breath away – where I had to sit down for a few minutes.
In each situation, these thoughts lined up with the Word of God, the character of God and the promises of God. They were later on confirmed by others and eventually came to pass in my life.
With that being said, I don’t always get it right 100% of the time. No one does. But even when I get it wrong I’m still encouraged because God knows my heart and sees that my intentions were right. Even when I don’t get it right, God can work it out for my good, because He’s God. He will do the same for you, too, friend.
Maybe you’re feeling like God has been silent in your life lately. Maybe you’re not quite sure God actually speaks to you or that you’re capable of discerning His voice. If so, let me give you 3 things to consider:
Believe: Jesus said in John 8:47b, “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says.” (NIV)
If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, than you belong to Him and have the capability to discern when God speaks to you. This happens through the working of the Holy Spirit.
Anticipate: 1 Samuel 3:9B says, “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.” (NIV)
Why not approach each day with an attitude of anticipation, making this Bible verse a welcome invitation for the Lord to speak to you? Choose to set your heart and mind to a place of readiness as you wait to hear from God.
Follow: Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (ESV)
God doesn’t just speak to be heard. He speaks to be obeyed. When we discern God’s voice of direction or correction we have to be willing to follow through in obedience.
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Prayer:
God, help me to discern Your voice. Give me an attitude of anticipation as I wake up every morning and say, “Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.” When You speak let me be faithful to follow through and obey You completely. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Words To Ponder:
Isaiah 30:21, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (NIV)
Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (NIV)
It’s Your Turn:
Which one of the 3 things above {believe – anticipate – follow} do you struggle with the most when it comes to hearing from God? How is you current relationship with God helping {or hurting} you in discerning His voice? Leave a comment below {or click HERE if you’re reading this in email format} to share your thoughts.
Do you know someone who would be encouraged by this message? Share it with them today by using any of the social media buttons below.
gary says
How do you know that the voice you hear in your “heart” (which in reality is your brain) is either God or Satan? Isn’t it entirely possible that both the “good” and the “bad” voices that you hear are simply YOU talking to yourself? Human beings have internal conversations with themselves all day long:
“Wow. I am such an idiot. That was really a dumb thing to do.”
or
“Wow. I sure did a good job today. My productivity is the best in the office. I hope the boss notices.”
Aren’t we doing a real disservice to our children by teaching them to listen for unidentified voices in their heads to guide them in life instead of developing their own ability to make good, sound decisions?
Jacee says
Hi I came across your blog today because I have been searching for answers. Last year I saw a guy and I before I even knew his name I thought that I had heard God’s voice saying to me this is the guy. This who you’re going to be with. A year later I’m still pondering on if it was God or me. We live 5 hours away from each other and thats the problem that he’s dealing with. But I so feel like what you were say was me. I’m tired of going in circles. My mind is always unsettle and I just really need to hear from God. Where do I go from here?
Leah DiPascal says
Hi Jacee, when I’m struggling with a decision or looking for guidance, I seek confirmation from God through prayer, fasting, reading the Bible and getting wise counsel from someone who knows me and knows my situation. Personally, I’ve learned not to move forward with big decisions if I don’t have peace or experience a sense of confusion/uncertainty.
Kevin Brazell says
A friend referred you to me via facebook. I honestly am struggling with all areas of my life when it comes to being overwhelmed with life and asking God for answers. So much going on in my life.
Leah DiPascal says
Kevin, I’m praying for you and asking God to fill you with His peace, joy and love today. When I’m overwhelmed and have questions, I find answers in God’s Word. If you don’t have a Bible to read, you can always download the Bible Gateway app for free. The book of Psalms would be a good place to start if you’re feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. I’m praying for you. 🙂
Kevin Brazell says
Lord I need you. Please speak to me,direct my paths. Amen.
Leah DiPascal says
Kevin, thank you for leaving a comment. I’m praying for your today.
Emily K. says
I’ve just found your blog today and this topic is the very thing I was discussing with a co-worker an hour ago. I am just getting back to my faith and casting aside my cynicism. This is one of the things that I’ve always struggled with and have never had explained to me by anyone else. How do you tell when the Lord is speaking to you? Your words bring it more into perspective for me than ever before. I really appreciate this clarification. I hope that I can put it to work for myself and truly experience His voice in my life. I need His guidance and clarity now more than ever and feel like if I don’t know what to listen for then I will miss it all and learn nothing. I admit that I have been frustrated lately wondering how it all works. I am faithful that I will find my way with His guidance.
Heather Britain says
Felt your words in my soul!
Leah DiPascal says
Good morning friends! I had one more thought I wanted to share with you this week. I’m sharing this Scripture verse (below) because it’s an extremely important factor when it comes to God hearing our prayers.
Whenever I spend time with God – whether it’s reading my Bible, praying or just sitting in His presence as I wait to hear Him speak to me – The first thing I do is ask the Lord to bring to mind any unconfessed sins in my life and here’s why:
Isaiah 59:1-3 says, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,
or His ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities (sins) have made a separation
between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you
so that he does not hear.”
Yes, Jesus died for our sins and He removed the separation between us and the Heavenly Father, but even Jesus (when He taught the disciples to pray) included these words: “Father …forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”
I believe it is extremely important to confess my sins to God before I go to Him with a request or ask Him to speak to me. I would encourage you to do the same as you seek to walk in a closer relationship with the Lord.
Just a little food for your soul today. 🙂
Kathleen Livick says
Thank you so very much for that. I will try. KL
JoAnn says
Thank you for this posting. I thought I was the only one who had those questions. My biggest struggles are believing that He’ll speak to me and then I can hear Him. I just don’t want to displease Him. There are so many times I cried out to God and silence. I Can only hold onto Him and hope and pray that one day, He will speak to me and I will hear Him.
Tammy says
I would say following and right now making time to sit with God and listening. With twins graduating and demands of my own busy classroom, I have been struggling with time and balance. I know from something today, my soul is yearning to be with God. Thank you for this post.
Leah DiPascal says
Tammy, congratulations on your twins’ (up and coming) graduation. I’m praying God will give you some unexpected white space in your day to spend time with Him. I’ve discovered that when I give God the first moments of my day, He helps me get more accomplished than I ever thought possible. And that’s a beautiful thing. 🙂
heather says
Thank-you Leah for your post today. To a certain extent I struggle with all three. However, believing is the one I struggle with the most. As I continue to grow in my understanding of who GOD is and who I am to GOD, I am believing HIM more and more.
Leah DiPascal says
Heather, I’m celebrating your continued growth towards understanding God more and realizing how valuable you are to Him. His love for your is unfailing. 🙂
Jaleccia Ates says
Hello! Wonderful post and really right on time! I have been struggling with going 5o others for advice instead of God because I really didn’t believe that I had the capability to hear from Him, or at least not soon enough. Last night, I needed to make a decision and I asked God about what I should do. I started to run to others like always, but I chose not to. I was being funny about needing an answer quick lol and what do you know…a friend had texted me a scripture that answered my question! So last night…I chose to believe and I anticipated his answer, and now I’m going to follow through in obedience! Thank you for your encouraging words! 🙂
Leah DiPascal says
I love this, Jaleccia! I’m so glad you waiting for God to respond instead of running to others first. He still used your sweet friend to relay the message. Awesome! 🙂
Michelle Vasquez says
Oh, thank you so much for this post, Leah! I believe that He speaks to me most often through His Word. Usually a scripture that keeps popping up everywhere I turn, and I know it must have something I need to hear or learn. This week that very thing has been happening and for some reason I will sometimes let my inner negative voice or the enemy convince me that the Lord isn’t actually speaking to me.
Leah DiPascal says
Michelle, that’s why it’s so important for us to get God’s Word deep inside our hearts and minds. When the the Enemy tries to fool us, we can just stick it to Him with the Word of God! 🙂
Jill Beran says
Good Morning Leah, I’m not sure which of the 3 this fits in with but my biggest struggle is being quiet enough to listen. With 5 kids, life is noisey!! But I am learning that even though the sound can be deafening around me it is still possible (with the help of God) to quiet my mind. So grateful that like you say growing in your relationship with God really helps me hear Him more!! I’m trying to live out all three tonight as I walk in obedience and share my testimony and about our worth in Christ. If God puts it on your heart to pray, I’d appreciate it!! Thank you friend!! Can’t believe I’ll see you in a few months!
Leah DiPascal says
Jill, I’m praying for you now and believe with all my heart that God is going to use your story to breath healing and wholeness into many lives tonight. Walk in the confidence that only He can give. It’s all for His glory, friend. I’m so proud of you!!
Kathleen Livick says
I just love this today, and thank you for it. So many days, I say to myself, “God, I just wish
that sometime You could just come down here and tell me and show me what to do, or
what not to do next, and give me a hug, and tell me “Yes, this is what you need to do”,
but…………that does not happen. I know we need to be in the Word, and hear from others
that He works through, but sometimes, I would like to hear “just from Him”. Thank you,
and God bless, KL
Leah DiPascal says
Kathleen, I’m praying that you’ll begin to apply the believe-anticipate-follow principles and become aware of those treasured moments of when God speaks. Oftentimes it’s when I’m reading my Bible that I discern His voice most clearly.