Finding God’s Voice

Posted on Sep 17, 2020 Topic : Inspirational/Devotional, Women's Christian Living
Posted by : Lysa TerKeurst

Every day, God speaks to us. Sometimes He invites us to draw close and listen as He reveals Himself, His character, and His direction. Other times He calls to us to participate in His purposes. Still other times He simply whispers to remind us of His amazing love for us.

Oh, what joy it is to know God speaks to me! But I’ve found that many believers are missing this vital element in their relationship with Him. As I’ve talked with people about my own radical obedience journey, they are quick to ask how they might hear from God too. Maybe you have some of these same questions: How do I know if God is speaking to me? How do I discern whether it is His voice speaking or just my own idea? What if I feel God is telling me to do something that doesn’t seem to make sense?

There is no magic formula for being able to discern God’s voice. We can learn to recognize it the way we recognize the voices of those close to us: by knowing Him. And when we know Him, we can tell if what we’re feeling led to do is from Him or not.

Though I hear from God all the time, I’ve never heard His voice audibly. When God speaks to me, it is a certain impression on my heart that I’ve come to recognize as Him. I’ve also learned to ask five key questions to help me determine if what I’m hearing is from God or not:

1. Does what I’m hearing line up with Scripture?

2. Is it consistent with God’s character?

3. Is it being confirmed through messages I’m hearing at church or studying in my quiet time?

4. Is it beyond me?

5. Would it please God?

Use this five-question filter as a starting place in your conversations with God. Listening for God’s voice and communicating with Him has not always come naturally to me. To this day I must seek it by asking for the desire, discipline, discernment, direction, and delight. I ask for the desire to want God more than anything else. I ask for the discipline to make my relationship with Him top priority. I ask for the discernment to know the difference between my own thoughts and God’s voice. I ask for clear direction at each crossroad in my life. I ask for my relationship with God to be characterized by sheer delight rather than a sense of duty.

When you ask for these things boldly and live in expectation of hearing from God, you will. In Jeremiah 29:13 God promises, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Then respond by saying yes to Him and confidently walking in absolute dependence and glorious obedience.