How to Hear from God
Hearing From God
Can we really hear from God? Does God speak to us? John 10:3-5,27 says, “… the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. ” 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;”
As Christians we are referred to as the Lord’s sheep. Notice Jesus said His sheep (that’s us) hear His voice. It is very clear that God is speaking to each one of us and we are to be hearing His voice. However, many Christians struggle to hear from God. They think God is silent or not interested in them or He only speaks to a chosen few. God is speaking to you, the challenge is how do hear from God and to follow His voice. Here are three time-tested proven methods you can use to effectively hear from God;
1. Tune In to What God Says
The problem is not in God speaking, but rather in us listening and hearing, in other words “tuning in”. Think about a radio or television station, even though they broadcast twenty-four hours a day seven days a week we only hear them when we turn the receiver on and tune in to the right frequency. If we’re not hearing their broadcast it doesn’t mean the station isn’t transmitting. In the same way God is transmitting 24/7 to His sheep, but if our spiritual ears aren’t turned on and tuned in we’ll not hear Him.
Proverbs 4:1 tells us, “Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.” Tuning in means paying attention and listening. Have you ever been in a meeting or conversation and when it’s over you don’t have a clue of what was said? I have, even with my wife. She is telling me something that is important to her, but I’m not tuned in. I’m thinking about something else and when she’s finished she asks me, “What did I just say?”. I then have to say I’m sorry I wasn’t paying attention. God loves to speak to us, but are we listening? Are we paying attention? Jesus often said, “If you have ears to hear, listen!”
Pay attention to what God is speaking. He speaks through His Word and through the Spirit. Focus in on the Lord and listen. This may sound overly simple, because it is, but it works Take the time and make the effort to tune in to what God is saying. If we are going to hear God we have to tune in.
2. Discern What God Says
There are many different voices in the world around us. Jesus didn’t say we would not hear these voices, He said we would not follow them. (John 10:6) This means we need to learn to discern His voice. In other words to be able to pick out His voice from everyone elses.
Romans 8:16 tells us,“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,” God is Spirit (John 4:24) and He speaks to our spirit, not our ears, mind or emotions. In order for us to discern His voice we have to listen with our spirit. We all want to hear that loud audible voice from God. I call it a “burning bush” experience. (like Moses had) While God can speak to us that way or in whatever way He wants the number one way He talks to us is with the small inward witness – His Spirit bearing witness with our spirit. If we are trying to discern what God is speaking with our minds or ears we are going to follow the wrong voice. To be able to discern what God is speaking you need to sharpen your spirit.
Practically speaking to sharpen your spirit you need to spend more time with Him. We need to know Him better. The better you know someone the easier it is to recognize their voice. I can guarantee you if you put a hundred children in a room and the moment one of them cries or makes a noise their Mom can immediately recognize their child’s cry. Why? She has spent time with that child and knows them and their every little sound. To be able to hear what God says among all the different voices around us we need to know Him.
In addition to knowing the Lord better there are two tests you can use to help discern what the Lord is saying;
a) The word test
Don’t believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God; test it first to see if it really is!” (1 John 4:1 ) Does what you think you’ve heard from the Lord agree with the Word of God? Does it pass the “Word Test”. When you know God’s Word you will not be fooled by other voices. Study the Word. God speaks to us through His Word. It is a lamp to our feet and light to our path. ( Psalms 119:105)
b) The peace test
And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. (Colossians 3:15 AMP) The peace of God is the umpire that settles all disputes as to what the will of God is and what we believe God is saying to us. We must learn to listen to and heed the peace of God in our hearts. That peace is always ruling and guiding our spirits, we just don’t always pay attention. How many times have you acted contrary to the peace in your heart, and as a result experience trouble? I know I have many times. Afterwords I will say something like “I never did feel good about that.” That was the peace of God umpiring me, but I listened to and let my feelings, reason or others rule my heart. When discerning what God says does it pass the “Peace Test?”
Being able to discern what God is saying is a fundamental principle of being able to hear God! Take time to know Him and use the Word Test and Peace Test to help discern what God says.
(For more read my post “How to Know the Voice of God” CLICK HERE)
3. Obey What Gods Says
Hebrews 3:15 says, “Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” This is where the rubber meets the road. Yes, we want to hear from God, but when we do are we ready and willing to do what He says? Why would God speak to us and give us direction if he is not sure we will obey him? To hear and obey the voice of God is so important, because ultimately the fruit of our lives rests on what we do or do not do with what God says to us.
When we do not obey God our spirits become hardened – dull of hearing. (Matthew 13:15) It becomes harder and harder for us to hear His voice. On the other hand when we instantly obey what the Lord says our spirits become more sensitive to hearing what God says and we become more attuned to His voice. By obeying what Gods says we show we love Him. Jesus said, “All who love me will do what I say...” (john 14:23) Do you love Him?
The prophet Samuel told King Saul, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,…” (1 Samuel 15:22) The Lord is looking for obedience. Our obedience is tied directly to our ability to hear what God is saying!
Please understand hearing God is not just the result of some formula or mechanical process in which we automatically are able to hear God. It’s not just simply do 1-2-3 and you become some “super hearer of God”. Like everything else in our spiritual life, it takes time and practice to know how to hear God’s voice. It is an on going process. However, if you will put these three practices into your daily life you will begin to hear from God clearer and better.
(for further reading the following article expands on hearing God’s voice with 7 Keys CLICK HERE)
