John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

God speaks to His people in roughly seven different ways.  First, with an audible voice that comes to the ears, Acts 9:4.  Second, God speaks to people by the Holy Spirit speaking to a person’s mind in the form of thoughts, 1 Corinthians 2:16.  Thirdly, God can send angelic messengers to visit people to bring His message, Luke 1:28.

Fourth, God can speak to people in dreams while they are sleeping, Matthew 2:13.  Fifth, God can speak in the form of visions.  Visions are spiritual dream like states that people have while they are awake, Acts 10:3.  Sixth, God can speak to people by His earthly messengers (preachers) who preach the Word of God, Romans 10:18.  Lastly, and most importantly, God speaks to His people through the Bible, 2 Timothy 3:16.

Prayer, talking to God, is the best way to make yourself available to hear God speak to you.  I recommend people who desire to hear God speak to them to do the following, (a) Pray to the Father in Jesus’ name and ask the Holy Spirit to come and speak to them, (b) Confess any and all known sin- which can keep one separated from God, (c) Begin to read the Bible, and lastly, (d) Spend time in meditation on God’s Word with an open heart to hear God speak.

Some people get discouraged when they don’t hear God speak to them immediately- but one real message from God can change your life forever, thus I believe it is worth the wait.  Also, people can get confused when seeking the voice of God because there are other places voices can come from.  For example, (a) your own mind, (b) people’s own words pretending to be God’s words, and (c) demonic messages- the Bible states that Satan is said to be able to appear as an “angel of light” and deceive people, 2 Corinthians 11:14.

As a result, I always recommend people “testing” all their messages by the Word of God and trusted leaders.  At the same time, Jesus promised in John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”  Therefore, I believe when you are truly God’s sheep you will be able to clearly know His voice!

Reflection

Has God ever spoken to you?  What did he say?

Action

  1. Come to Jesus and be born again if you haven’t already, John 3:3.
  2. Ask God to speak to you.
  3. Make time every day in prayer and meditation to hear God speak to you!