5 Keys to Hearing the Voice of God

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It’s so important we as Christians are able to hear and recognize the voice of our Father. Jesus died so we could draw near to the throne of grace. He was separated from the Father so we could be reconciled to Him. God has so much He wants to say to us, His children.

This week I’ve been thinking about this incredible privilege we have of being able to talk directly to God Himself. The One who made the universe is not only interested in you but greatly desires your fellowship. What an awesome privilege.

I know many struggle with knowing how to hear and recognize God’s voice for themselves. That’s why I’m sharing with you these five keys for hearing the voice of God. My prayer is these keys will help you become more confident in your ability to hear the Lord’s voice and encourage you as you grow in your relationship with Him.

1. Believing that God wants to speak to you

This may seem too obvious to be mentioned, but can be a huge roadblock for many. Believing that God wants to speak to us directly and individually is essential to hearing His voice.

I’ve met Christians who think it’s wrong to ask God to speak to them or try to hear His voice. They believe God speaks to us today only through reading the Bible or listening to a pastor or minister preach. Some even believe to seek direct communication with Heaven is wrong and unbiblical, that the Bible is the only communication we have or need with God today.

As Christians, we are God’s children. As a Father He desires to speak directly to the children He loves and has done so much for. That’s one of the reasons Christ died for us, so we could have a direct relationship with God Himself without the need for a go-between. Jesus is the only go-between we need with the Father, and He is also God Himself. I believe God longs to communicate His love, direction, and encouragement directly to our hearts and minds through the Holy Spirit. I’m not dismissing the need for ministers or Bible teachers. They are God’s gifts to His church and are invaluable in the Kingdom. But nothing can, nor should, replace the direct communication between God and His child. That’s where our faith is built and our love grows more real and rich, when we have intimate fellowship with God.

Jesus said in Matthew 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice.” That scripture is just as true today as it was the day Jesus spoke it.

If you want to hear God’s voice you must first believe He wants to speak to you. You must settle in your heart that it is normal and natural for you to hear your Father’s voice. Hearing God speak directly to you is a good and godly desire. Ask Him to open your spiritual ears and allow you to hear His voice.

2. Spending time in prayer

The second key to hearing God’s voice is spending time with Him in prayer. Good communication works both ways. Prayer is more than reading off a list of things we need or want God to do in our lives. It’s more than thanking Him for all He’s already done. It’s more than quoting scriptures and promises to Him from His word. It’s all those things, but more. True prayer is a two-way communication between our heart and God’s heart. This includes times of speaking and times of listening. The more time we spend talking with God the more sensitive we become to hearing His voice and knowing how He speaks to us. Keeping the lines of communication open through prayer gives God opportunities to speak to us. We must draw near to hear.

3. Asking God specific questions

Asking God specific questions in prayer opens up the door to a two-way conversation. You may not receive the answer to your question the moment you ask it. He probably won’t answer it the way you expect Him to. But asking the question puts the ball in His court, so to speak, and opens up a dialogue with Heaven. It creates an expectation in your heart and mind, and sets your ears ready to hear the answer when it comes.

This could be as simple as asking a question about a passage in the Bible that troubles you. Yes, you can Google it, but wouldn’t you like to hear what God has to say about it since He’s the one who wrote it? So many times when a passage has troubled me or I’ve just not had peace with an explanation from other sources I’ve asked God to explain it to me in a way I can understand. Sometimes He brings the answer through another resource or person. Other times He has spoken to me as I’ve meditated on and pondered over that scripture. Often the answer has dropped into my heart when I least expected it and wasn’t even thinking about it. No matter how the answer comes, it always draws us closer to Him, because that’s what the voice of God does, it draws us closer to our Father, letting us see His heart of love for us.

Also, God is not afraid of tough questions. He’s not disappointed in your lack of faith for asking hard and difficult questions. He wants to answer them, even if you are not currently able to receive the answer. But when the time is right He will answer you, or at least give you the grace you need to proceed with peace.

I’ve asked very tough questions of God concerning things that have happened in my past, things I couldn’t understand and didn’t seem to be able to get past. Asking God “Why?” has been an invaluable tool of healing for me. Some questions I’ve gotten answers to, and that has brought me closure and peace. Other questions I’m still waiting on answers for, but knowing I’ve put them into His hands for His timing has given me the grace to move on in faith, trusting His hands are big enough to hold all the answers. Some answers I may not get until I see Him face to face. But I trust Him to bring me the answers I need when I need them.

Ask Him questions. He wants to answer you.

4. Spending time in His Word

God’s Word is His will and the language He uses to speak to us. When Jesus was preparing His disciples for His coming departure He told them He would soon be leaving but the Father was going to send them another Helper who would be with them at all times.

He said in John 14:26,

“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.” (emphasis added)

When we read and study God’s Word we are storing it in our hearts. When the Word is hidden in our hearts it’s available for the Holy Spirit to remind us of it and bring it to our minds when God wants to speak to us. When we know the Word of God, we know the language of Heaven. The more familiar we are with His Word the easier it is for us to communicate with Him.

Also, when we know the Word of God we are not as easily deceived by falsehood because we are familiar with the truth and we have a better understanding of the ways and nature of God. So, when things come into our minds that are not grounded in truth we can do a better job filtering those thoughts through the truth of God’s Word, throwing out the ones that do not line up with scripture.

Reading the Bible, meditating on scripture, and hiding God’s Word in our hearts are essential to hearing His voice.

5. Listening for His voice

“Listening? Isn’t that what we’ve been talking about the whole time?” Well…kinda. But what I mean is having ears that are tuned into hearing God’s voice, when it’s quiet and when it’s noisy, when you’re praying and when you’re working, when you’re alone and when you’re with others. It’s a state of mind, always open to hearing Him if He has something to say.

I’ve found when I’m in a posture of listening, I hear His voice more often. When my heart is open to hearing Him, I’m more aware of His constant presence in my life and the lines of communication can flow more easily. This is what I think of when I read 1 Thessalonians 5:16 where Paul tells the church to pray without ceasing. We can’t be constantly saying prayers all the time. First, this would be an enormous burden to bear. Who has time for that!? Second, instead of being a light to those around us, we would most likely be marked as strange or weird, not a great witness for Christ! But Paul is talking about an attitude of prayer, where our attention is pointed towards Heaven and we are communing with God, leaning on Him daily. This is actively listening for God’s voice, even when He doesn’t have anything at the moment to say to us, but we’re ready when He does. I encourage you to tell Him, “Lord, I’m listening if you have something to say.” And remember to listen.

I hope these 5 keys encourage you and help build your faith in hearing God’s voice. God has things to say that we need to hear directly from Him. He is your Father and greatly desires your company and fellowship. We are the sheep under His care, and we can hear His voice for ourselves.

God Bless!

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