The Bible is full of examples of God speaking to His children. From the burning bush where He spoke audibly to Moses to the words written by prophets and apostles throughout history, it's clear that God has never stopped communicating with us. But what does it look like today? How can we recognise and respond when God speaks? In this blog, we will explore how the Bible says God still speaks today and the ways He speaks so that we may identify His voice and respond in faith.
The Bible is clear that God speaks today, just as He did in the past. While His delivery methods may be different, the message remains the same. Hebrews 1:1 states, "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world." (ESV). We can recognise God's voice in many ways, including His Word, The Holy Spirit, circumstances, wise counsel, peace, people, dreams and visions, thoughts, and natural manifestations.
1. The Bible:
First and foremost, to recognise God's voice, it is crucial to immerse yourself in the Bible. The Bible is the most essential resource for every believer and should be the first place you go when seeking answers. The Bible will help you recognise God's voice because it reveals how he speaks.
Cautionary thought: God's communication should always align with the Word of God no matter what message you receive. If something goes against scripture, we can be sure it's not from God (Isaiah 8:20). We must also test our hearts to ensure that what we hear is from Him and not ourselves. I've known times when people satisfy pet desires by finding random scriptures to justify their immediate needs. This can lead to a loss in our lives. The way to hear God's voice is not by playing Bible roulette—randomly opening a book and seeing what passage we land on. Instead, let us spend time allowing the Word to minister into our hearts God's truth.
That's why we must follow the undivided Bible and understand God's principles to rightfully hear His voice. The Bible is God's Word, and it reveals His character. It tells us about His love, mercy, and grace. It also demonstrates what he expects from us. By studying the Bible, we can learn more about God's voice and how to hear it clearly.
2. The Holy Spirit:
We hear God's direction through the Holy Spirit, which is an integral part of growing in God. Recognising the Holy Spirit's guidance is key to understanding His will for our lives. The Holy Spirit reveals God's intentions and desires to those open to Him, providing divine direction and insight. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, "No one can understand the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." The Holy Spirit is God's spirit that indwells every believer (1 John 4:13). He will lead you into all truth (John 16:13) and guide you into all wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 1:9-10). The Bible says, "The Lord will give you the gift of wisdom and knowledge" (Isaiah 11:2). The Holy Spirit will reveal God's voice to you. He reveals His will for our lives, and His message will be in line with scripture.
Cautionary thought: In addition to the Holy Spirit's voice, we may also hear the voices of our own conscience, the world around us, or even Satan himself. Recognising these other voices is essential to correctly discern God's will for our lives. The Bible encourages believers to test the spirits to see if they are from God (1 John 4:1). We can do this by evaluating each voice against the Word of God, asking for confirmation through prayer, and listening for any promptings we may feel in our spirit. Ultimately, only the Holy Spirit's voice will line up with scripture and will have the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Recognising the voice of God is a lifelong process that requires constant alertness. The Bible says, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13). By listening for and heeding God's voice, we can have confidence in His plans for us.
Once we begin to recognise His voice, it is essential to remember that God's timing is perfect, and whatever He asks of us may take time to unfold. We must trust Him through this process and be patient as we wait on Him - a process which can often be challenging. Recognising and following God's voice is a journey that requires faith, courage, and perseverance. By listening closely to the voice of the Holy Spirit and trusting in His guidance, we can be sure that our lives will reflect His will.
3. Prayer improves communication:
One of the most significant steps to recognising the voice of God is prayer. We can ask God for wisdom and discernment so that we may understand His will (James 1:5). Additionally, we must be willing to be still and listen. God often speaks through a gentle whisper and requires us to take the time to pause and recognise His voice (1 Kings 19:12). Prayer offers us an opportunity 2 spend time with God and have ongoing communication with him.
When we feel like God has left us alone, remember He has not and never will. He will always comfort us and guide us through our trials. I experience God's presence during prayer when a song or passage of scripture comes to mind, and He uses it to reassure me, "I've got you." When I pray with the awareness that God meets with me at times of prayer—that my life is being guided by wisdom beyond my own—my prayer experience becomes alive and dynamic.
4. The Counsel of Others:
God also speaks through wise counsel. Recognising the voice of God doesn't stop with hearing Him directly. He also speaks through other people's words, as evidenced in the biblical story of Balaam and his donkey (Numbers 22:21-35). In this narrative, it was the animal that spoke a prophetic word from God to a "prophet". This shows us that we must be open to hearing God's voice from others, not just our own inner dialogue. It is also important to remember to test every prophetic Word against scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit before considering it. In this way, we can use wise counsel to discern what God is saying in our lives. Recognising God's voice through others' words is an invaluable part of our spiritual journey.
By listening to wise counsel and discerning God's voice, we can gain valuable insight into how He wants us to live our lives and make decisions that align with His will. This can be a powerful way to tune into what God has for us and recognise God's voice in our lives.
Proverbs 15:22 states, "Without counsel, plans fail, but with many advisers, they succeed." (ESV).
5. His Peace:
God speaks through a deep divine peace as well. He wants us to live in a place of peace and joy. When we make decisions that are in line with His will, He gives us a sense of security and assurance (Philippians 4:7). Recognising the absence or presence of God's peace can be another way to recognise His voice.
6. Dreams and visions:
God can speak to us through dreams and visions just as He did in the Bible. Recognising what God is saying to us in our dreams can be difficult, so it's essential to pay attention and remember the details, sometimes note them down immediately. To gain a clear understanding of what He is communicating, we'll need to search for its spiritual meaning. We should also ask God for its personal application in our lives. Recognising the voice of God in our dreams is a powerful way to receive divine guidance and insight. We can learn to understand what He is saying through our dreams with practice, patience, and prayer.
The Bible tells us, "No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:20-21). As we seek to discern what God is communicating through our dreams, we can be confident He will guide and direct us in His truth. We need to be open, attentive and willing to follow His leading. Recognising the voice of God through dreams is part of how He speaks in our lives today.
The best way to ensure that we correctly interpret our dreams is by seeking confirmation from other trusted believers who can offer spiritual counsel. They will help us determine what God is saying and how we are meant to apply it in our lives. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the Bible and prayerful discernment, we can better understand God's guidance through our dreams. Understanding how God speaks to us through dreams can be a powerful tool in our spiritual journey.
7. Our thoughts:
God also speaks through our reflections and thoughts. Recognising the internal promptings we receive can indicate God's will (Romans 8:14). We must pay attention to the thoughts that come into our minds, as they can be a source of direction and guidance from the Lord.
8. Signs and Circumstances:
Lastly, God speaks through natural manifestations. Recognising the signs that God gives us every day can be an invaluable tool in discerning His will (Exodus 3:2-3). Paying attention to how God moves in and around us can help lead us to His will.
The Bible clearly tells us that God still speaks today. We have to be willing to take the time to listen and respond in faith. Recognising His voice can lead to a deeper relationship with Him and a more fulfilling life here on earth.
Acknowledging and responding to the voice of God is not always easy, but it is essential to living a life of faith. It will require a willingness to trust His words and be still enough to listen. The Bible reminds us that we can always trust God's words (Isaiah 55:11). Trust in His guidance and follow Him wholeheartedly (Proverbs 3:5-6). He promises to lead us in His perfect will, so let's follow Him with courage and confidence.
Identifying the voice of God takes time and practice, but it's worth the effort. God speaks in many different ways. Acknowledging and being obedient to His voice is a life-long journey. There is an opportunity through the Holy Spirit to constantly communicate with the Lord, praying and meditating so that we may recognise when He is speaking to us. When we faithfully follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, our lives will be filled with joy and purpose. God is always speaking, and it's up to us to recognise it, respond in faith, and live according to His will.
We will then be blessed beyond measure. So today, let's open our hearts to hear the voice of God and respond in faith. He still speaks today — are you listening?
Prayer:
Father, we are amazed by your greatness and power. We praise you and thank you for everything that has happened in our lives as well as the lives of those around us. Thank you for guiding us with wisdom and vision—we know we can hear your voice!
We ask you to help us hear your voice better and follow it faithfully in every area of our lives. Let us open our spiritual senses so that we might perceive better the presence and works of the Holy Spirit within us, around us, and throughout creation.
Give us the faith and courage to act on what we hear You say. Help us to discern Your will and lead us in paths of righteousness, so that we may experience the abundant blessings You have for us.
Bibliography:
- ESV Bible. (n.d.). ESV Bible. Retrieved August 5, 2020, from https://www.esv.org/