God’s speaking is ALWAYS based upon the written Word of God. God will never speak anything personally to you that is not in agreement with the Bible. This is a foundational truth we must know before we go on with this article.
God is always speaking. Everything that He does involves His voice. He loves speaking and He loves speaking to YOU. To hear God’s voice is vital for kingdom living. To understand how God speaks will make it easy to hear His voice. The first thing we must understand is that God is Spirit.
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
The second thing we must know is that we have a spirit.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
God the Spirit and our spirit are of the same substance. Both the Spirit and our spirit are transceivers. God the Spirit and our spirit can both transmit and receive. I like to compare it to radio signals. Radio signals are all around us. They are invisible, but nevertheless real. Each signal transmitted is unique and in order to pick up that signal one must have their receiver tuned into the frequency of that transmission. Once that happens, you have communication.
God is Spirit and His words are spirit and life (John 6:63). He is always transmitting. However, we cannot always hear His voice if our spirit is not in tune with His. When we are “tuned into” other things we simply cannot hear His voice, we are hearing other voices and it’s those voices that influence our lives. When we intentionally tune into God’s “channel” we can hear Him clearly and are influenced by what He has to say.
The words I have spoken to you are spirit and are life (John 6:63).
To hear God’s voice, we must be like a dove. A dove has eyes that can only focus on one thing at a time and a dove only has one mate for life. We have to be like a dove, single in purpose and intention. We must often eliminate other distractions and tune into the Spirit’s frequency to hear God speak into our receiver (spirit). Once our spirit receives God’s signal (voice), it interprets what God is saying and hands God’s word over to our mind for understanding. That’s how we can personally hear from God.
When we are in communion (tuned-in) to God who is Spirit, we hear and we know it’s Him for His sheep know His voice (John 10:3-5).
The doorkeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don’t recognize the voice of strangers.”
There are two voices we need to be aware of in order to have a successful living:
Satan’s voice—are intrusive thoughts shot like darts into our mind. Thy are thoughts that convey death (fear, anxiety, condemnation, doubt, impurity, lust, etc.).
God’s voice—are thoughts that are presented to our mind by the Spirit. Thoughts that convey life (peace, joy, hope, confidence, trust, love, instruction, etc.). God’s voice is never forceful or rough. His voice is gentle and filled with life and peace.
For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace (Roman 8:5-6)
God speaks to us for He wants to engage in every area of our lives. He has something to say about your health, finances, marriage, children, hobbies and literally everything you do. Why? Because He loves you and wants to assure your success.
So, what does God’s voice sound like? His voice is a thought that is presented to your mind as a suggestion, direction or instruction. To clearly hear Him you must take time to settle yourself down. Quiet your mind and begin a dialog with God. Ask Him questions, then listen. He always has answers. Tune into His frequency. Sometimes you may have to “move the dial around” until you pick up His “channel.” One of the best ways I have found to learn to focus is by journaling. Write down your dialog with the Lord. Write down questions and wait for an answer as we have described above. His answers will come as gentle thoughts. You can usually tell if you generated them or He did. I sometimes ask, “Do I normally think like this?” If not, I have the assurance that that is the Lord’s speaking. It’s all a matter of practice. The more you intentionally practice hearing God’s voice the easier it will be to discern His voice as you conduct normal business in your daily life.
As you purposely learn to listen for God’s voice in all matters, your life will begin to be filled with life-changing revelation! Everything will change for the BETTER. You will be a living testimony of the goodness of God! God will be honored, His kingdom will come, and His will will be done in YOUR life as in heaven. Your living a life based on His speaking will draw many to Him for your life will BE the gospel that all mankind seeks.