HOW TO HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD: THE ART OF LISTENING TO THE CREATOR!
- Gil Junqueira
- Jul 19, 2025
- 11 min read
"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)
Hearing the voice of God is a desire of many who seek a closer and more intimate relationship with Him.
The Bible shows us that God speaks in various ways and that it is poss Bible for every believer to learn to recognize His voice.How to Hear the Voice of God: Listening to the Creator Amid the Noise of the World:
1. GOD SPEAKS THROUGH HIS WORD (THE BIBLE):
Reading and meditating on the Scriptures is the safest and most frequent way to hear God's voice. His principles, guidance, and promises are clearly revealed in the Bible.
Reference: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
2. PRAYER AND INTIMACY:
In prayer, we not only speak with God, but also practice listening. As we quiet our hearts, the Holy Spirit brings guidance, comfort, and conviction.
Practical tip: Spend a few moments in silence at the end of your prayer, inviting God to speak to you.
3. PEACE IN THE HEART:
One of the main ways God confirms His direction is through inner peace, even in the midst of challenges.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)
4. CIRCUMSTANCES AND DOORS THAT OPEN OR CLOSE:
God often directs us through the situations in life, opening or closing doors, redirecting us according to His will.
5. COUNSEL FROM OTHER BELIEVERS:
God can use the wisdom of mature Christians, pastors, and spiritual mentors to confirm His will for your life.
6. INNER WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
The Holy Spirit dwells within us and bears witness, warning, correcting, or encouraging in our hearts.
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:16)
3 PRACTICAL STEPS TO BETTER HEAR GOD’S VOICE:
Dedicate daily time to read the Bible and pray. Consistency opens your ears to what God wants to say.
Write down what you perceive God speaking to your heart. Keeping a prayer journal helps you discern and remember God’s guidance.
Ask for confirmation. If unsure, pray for God to confirm His word through the Bible, circumstances, or godly counsel.
REMEMBER:
God’s voice always agrees with the character and teaching of Scripture. He doesn’t sow confusion or fear—He brings peace, direction, and builds faith.
Introduction: A God Who Speaks:
God communicates in many ways—not always through an audible voice, but mainly through a spiritual sensitivity that we develop. Hearing God’s voice is the result of relationship, intimacy, and practice. It’s not a privilege for the “super-spiritual,” but an inheritance for every child of God.
“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)
In a world full of noise and distractions, discerning the gentle voice of the Father is essential. God wants to speak to you—He is a present Father, not a distant one! He desires your fellowship, to provide direction, comfort, and daily love.
The Clearest and Most Reliable Voice: The Written Word of God:
1. The Bible as the Voice of God
Inspired and Inerrant: “All Scripture is inspired by God…” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Guide and Lamp: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
Objective and Reliable: The Bible never contradicts truth; it is the unchanging standard.
2. God Has Always Spoken and Still Speaks:
“In the beginning was the Word…” (John 1:1)
He created by speaking (“Let there be light”—Genesis 1:3)
He walked and talked with Adam
He sent prophets, He sent Jesus (the Living Word)
He desires relationship:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” (Revelation 3:20)
Promise and Responsibility to Listen:
1. The Promise of Jesus:
The Holy Spirit guides, teaches, and reminds:
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth…” (John 16:12-13)
2. The Universal Call:
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:15)We have the duty to develop spiritual ears, cultivating sensitivity to the divine voice!
How God Speaks to Us:
1. Mainly Through the Bible
“All Scripture is God-breathed…” (2 Timothy 3:16)
Rhema (Living Word):
When a verse leaps off the page and touches your heart, bringing direction.
Logos (Written Word):
Eternal principles and absolute truths.
Practical Example:
Maria was uncertain about changing jobs. As she prayed and read the Bible, her eyes landed on Isaiah 43:19:
“See, I am doing a new thing… I am making a way in the wilderness.”She sensed God was speaking about a new opportunity that was coming.
Practical Tips for Hearing God’s Voice:
Set aside daily moments for prayer, Bible reading, and silence.
Disconnect from digital distractions.
When you seek to hear God, His guidance will always be in harmony with His Word.
God’s voice brings peace, clarity, and is confirmed by spiritual fruit and wise counsel.
Learn to distinguish between your own thoughts and the Spirit’s voice (God’s voice brings direction, aligns with the Word, and reveals pure intentions).
Example:Anna was impulsive, but when she began to ask God and wait in prayer, she sensed answers that aligned with Scripture, and saw the right doors opening.
Final Summary
Hearing God’s voice is an invitation to all.
God speaks primarily through the Bible, but also through the Holy Spirit, circumstances, people, songs of worship, and even nature.
Practice spiritual listening intentionally, with discipline and an open heart.
2. Through Prayer and Communion
The Still Small Voice:
"After the earthquake, a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, a still small voice." (1 Kings 19:12)
Characteristics of God’s Voice in Prayer:
Gentle and kind, not shouting
Peaceful and reassuring
Consistent with His character
Aligned with His Word
How to Listen During Prayer:
Be still before God
Speak less, listen more
Wait in His presence
Write down what comes to your heart
Test it with the Word
3. Through Dreams and Visions:
God Speaks Through Dreams:
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." (Joel 2:28)
Types of Spiritual Dreams:
Prophetic dreams – reveal the future
Directional dreams – show paths
Warning dreams – alert about dangers
Encouraging dreams – strengthen faith
How to Discern Dreams from God:
Consistency with the Bible
Peace and edification they bring
Clarity of the message
Confirmation through other means
4. Through Circumstances:
God Opens and Closes Doors:
"See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it. For you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name." (Revelation 3:8)
Signs in Circumstances:
Supernaturally opened doors
Unexpected provisions
Meaningful “casual” encounters
Obstacles blocking the wrong paths
Caution: Not every circumstance is God’s voice. Always confirm with the Word and prayer.
5. Through Other People:
God Uses People to Speak:
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers." (Ephesians 4:11)
Through Whom God May Speak:
Pastors and spiritual leaders
Prophets and people with prophetic gifts
Mature brothers and sisters in the faith
Even children and simple people
How to Discern:
Does the word edify, exhort, and comfort?
Is it consistent with the Bible?
Does it bring peace and clear direction?
Does the person show spiritual fruit?
6. Through the Inner Voice (Spiritual Intuition)
The Inner Witness:
"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." (Romans 8:16)
How It Manifests:
Strong impressions on the heart
Sudden convictions about decisions
Peace or uneasiness about directions
Supernatural knowledge of situations
Example: John was driving when he felt a strong impression to stop and pray for his daughter. Later, he found out that at that exact moment she was going through a crisis and needed prayer.
How to Hear God Through the Bible:
Regular Reading and Study: Set aside daily time to read and meditate on Scripture. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truths to you.
Meditation: Don’t just read, but reflect on what you’ve read. Think about how that passage applies to your life today.
Memorization: Hiding the Word in your heart helps you have it ready in moments of decision and to resist temptation.
Application: We truly listen when we practice the teachings.
Pray the Word: Turn the passages you read into prayers, asking God to fulfill them in your life.
Testimony of Scriptural Clarity:
"There was a time when I was completely lost about which path to follow in my career. I prayed a lot asking for a sign, but heard nothing. That’s when a friend encouraged me to read a chapter of the Bible every day, without skipping. I started with Proverbs. Day after day, verses about wisdom, diligence, and trusting God began to stand out to me. It was not an audible voice, but a growing conviction and clarity that helped me make the right decision, totally aligned with the principles I was reading. The Bible became my compass." – Rafaela, 27 years old
CONDITIONS FOR HEARING GOD’S VOICE:
1. Pure and Clean Heart
Sin Blocks Communication:
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear." (Psalm 66:18)
Areas Needing Cleansing:
Confess all known sins
Forgive everyone who has hurt you
Renounce worldly practices
Purify thoughts and motivations
Cleansing Prayer: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)
2. Humility and Submission
God Resists the Proud:
"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)
Attitudes of Humility:
Recognize your dependence on God
Admit you need guidance
Submit to the divine will
Be willing to obey
3. Genuine Faith
Without Faith, It Is Impossible:
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
Elements of Faith to Hear:
Believe that God wants to speak to you
Expect to hear His voice
Trust in His goodness
Act on what you hear
4. Patience and Perseverance
Wait on the Lord:
"I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry." (Psalm 40:1)
Develop Patience:
Don’t rush for answers
Persist in seeking even without immediate answers
Trust God’s timing
Keep seeking until you receive direction
5. Knowledge of the Word
The Word Is the Filter:
"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39)
Why Know the Bible:
Discern if the voice is God’s
Understand the divine character
Recognize His way of speaking
Avoid spiritual deception
DEVELOPING SPIRITUAL SENSITIVITY:
1. Cultivate Daily Intimacy
Consistent Devotional Time:
“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3)
Elements of Devotional Time:
Daily Bible reading
Communion prayer
Worship and praise
Meditation on the Word
Silent listening
Suggested Routine:
15 minutes of Bible reading
10 minutes of prayer
5 minutes of silent listening
Write down impressions received
2. Practice Fasting
Fasting Sharpens Sensitivity:
“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21)
How Fasting Helps:
Breaks the power of the flesh
Increases spiritual sensitivity
Clarifies the mind
Intensifies the pursuit of God
Types of Fasts for Hearing God:
1-day fast – for specific decisions
3-day fast – for important directions
Daniel Fast (21 days) – for deep revelations
3. Develop the Habit of Worship:
Worship Attracts the Presence:
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” (John 4:23)
Benefits of Worship:
Quiets the heart.
Focuses on God.
Creates a spiritual atmosphere.
Prepares to listen.
4. Practice Silence:
Be Still and Know:
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)
How to Practice Silence:
Set aside quiet moments.
Turn off electronic devices.
Focus solely on God..
Listen with your heart
5. Keep a Spiritual Journal
Record Your Experiences:
“Then the Lord answered me and said: ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.’” (Habakkuk 2:2)
What to Record:
Verses that touched your heart
Impressions during prayer
Significant dreams
Received confirmations
Answers to prayer
DISCERNING THE VOICE OF GOD.
1. Characteristics of God’s Voice
Always Consistent with the Bible:
“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light.” (Isaiah 8:20)
Distinctive Characteristics:
Builds up, exhorts, and comforts (1 Corinthians 14:3)
Brings peace and clarity
Is specific and practical
Glorifies Jesus
Produces the fruit of the Spirit
2. Voices that Are NOT from God
The Flesh’s Voice:
Selfish and self-centered
Seeks immediate pleasure
Contradicts the Word
Produces anxiety
The Devil’s Voice:
Accuses and condemns
Brings fear and confusion
Contradicts the Bible
Leads to sin
The World’s Voice:
Materialistic and temporal
Seeks human approval
Compromises Christian values
Draws away from God
3. Tests for Confirmation
Scripture Test:
Does the direction contradict the Bible?
Is it consistent with God’s character?
Does it glorify Jesus?
Peace Test:
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)
Counsel Test:
“To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.” (Proverbs 16:1)
Timing Test:
Does the conviction persist?
Does peace increase regarding the decision?
Is it confirmed through circumstances?
OBSTACLES TO HEARING GOD:
1. Noise and Distractions
A Noisy World:
Constant technology
Excessive worries
Activism without contemplation
Empty entertainment
How to Overcome:
Regularly turn off devices
Create moments of silence
Simplify your schedule
Prioritize time with God
2. Unconfessed Sin
Sin Deafens:
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)
Solution:
Regularly examine your heart
Confess sins promptly
Genuinely repent
Keep accounts short with God
3. Lack of Faith:
Unbelief Blocks:
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6)
Developing Faith:
Remember how God has spoken before
Study biblical testimonies
Start with small decisions
Celebrate every time you hear
4. Hurry and Anxiety:
Haste Prevents Listening:
“Whoever believes will not act hastily.” (Isaiah 28:16)
Cultivate Patience:
Accept God’s timing
Rest in His sovereignty
Trust His goodness
Wait with expectation
PRACTICAL STEPS TO HEAR GOD
1. Prepare the Environment
Create a Special Place:
A quiet and reserved location
Free from distractions
Comfortable for prayer
Dedicated to meetings with God
2. Prepare the Heart
Preparation Ritual:
Confess known sins
Forgive those who have hurt you
Surrender your worries to God
Declare your dependence on Him
Ask to hear His voice
3. Ask Specific Questions
Be Clear About What You Seek:
“Lord, which decision should I make?”
“What are you teaching me in this situation?”
“How can I serve you today?”
“Is there anything in my heart that displeases you?”
4. Listen Attentively
Wait in silence after praying
Pay attention to gentle impressions, verses, or thoughts that arise
Stay open to the Holy Spirit’s voice throughout your day
Write down what you discern
5. Confirm What You Heard
Compare with the Bible — God never contradicts Himself
Seek confirmation through peace in your heart
Ask for mature spiritual counsel if you are unsure
Hearing God is not a formula, but a dynamic and loving relationship with the Father. The more you seek God, study His Word, pray, and submit to the Holy Spirit, the clearer and more familiar His voice will become.
Stay alert. God is speaking. The challenge is to learn to listen.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6a)— And this knowledge begins with hearing the Lord’s voice!
OPEN YOUR HEART AND SPIRITUAL EARS TO THE GOD WHO SPEAKS!
INVEST TIME AND PURITY OF HEART, AND YOU WILL EXPERIENCE THE RICHNESS OF THIS DIVINE DIALOGUE!
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