They say that newborn babies recognize their mother’s voice because they have been hearing it for months in the womb.
Likewise, pets recognize their owner’s voices and respond to hearing them on the phone or in another room.
But what about us? Do we recognize God’s voice? Do we know how to hear God’s voice?
Why people do not hear God’s voice
Before we can expect to hear God’s voice, we must belong to Him.
“Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” John 8:47 ESV
Then there are other reasons that people do not hear or recognize God’s voice.
- They are too busy
- They are not actively listening
- They think God is not speaking
How to hear God’s voice
So we can take our clues as to how to hear God’s voice by looking at the reasons people do not hear Him or recognize His voice.
- Make sure you belong to God
- Free up your schedule for some alone, quiet time
- Listen for God
- Realize God is always speaking, and pay attention
To hear God’s voice, make sure you are His child
” … you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:26-27 ESV
Belonging to God, or being “one of His sheep”, is through a relationship with Jesus.
If you don’t know Jesus, you probably have questions. The people at Chat About Jesus have answers. You can text, call, or chat with them online any time of the day or night.
To hear God’s voice, make time for it
Being too busy destroys our ability to hear God’s voice.
If we are running from one activity to another and packing more in as opportunities arise, then we are too busy.
Sometimes this problem exists because we don’t know how to say no. We would rather be people pleasers and have their approval than do what is right.
Even good things can crowd our schedules. And people who are too busy to hear God usually feel overwhelmed as well.
To hear God’s voice, make listening a priority
God’s voice is not a thundering boom in the atmosphere but rather a “quiet gentle nudging” most of the time. So we will miss it if we don’t make it a priority.
“Then He (God) said (to Elijah), ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces 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; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.‘ ” 1 Kings 19:11-12 NKJV (explanation added)
Acts of nature, such as wind, earthquakes, and fire, will get our attention but we still might not hear God.
Priorities are set by what we value. So the question is, do we value what God has to say? Do we intend to follow through with what God tells us?
If we want to know how to hear God’s voice then we must place a high priority on it.
To hear God’s voice, pay attention
What exactly do we need to pay attention to in our quest to learn how to hear God’s voice?
The number one way that God speaks to us is through his written words. We can’t expect to hear from God if we never open the Bible and read it. This then is the first place to pay attention.
Another important way that we hear from God is through prayer. Often when we are praying, Scriptures will come to mind that are just what we need.
“ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 ESV
We also need to pay attention to those with greater Christian maturity. God will often speak to us through Godly mentors. And it will always agree with God’s word. This is why it is important to have Godly friends.
How to hear God’s voice – putting it all together
The Psalmist wrote:
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a ESV
He knew how to hear God’s voice. He had to
- Reduce his busy schedule
- Prioritize listening to God
- Pay attention
Are you doing the same? You might also like to read:
- How To Be Still And Know God In A Busy World
- Powerful Prayers For Beginners
- Bible Verses About Meditation – A Beginners Guide
References:
- Bible Gateway – for reading different translations of Scripture
- Open Bible – for finding Scriptures on how to hear God’s voice