How to Hear God’s Voice in a World so Full of Noise
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"How to hear God’s voice?" is an age-old question that many Christians struggle with. To get a better idea, let’s take a look at a story: The game was tied, and the bases were loaded. Will’s team got up to bat. As soon as his teammate hit the ball, every coach from both teams began yelling orders.
“Run here!”
“Throw the ball to first!”
“Run to third!”
“Go home!”
Parents were cheering, clapping, and shouting too. The game was organized confusion and mayhem.
I wondered; How do these young boys know what to do with everyone screaming directions? Then I answered myself: They must be trained to focus only on their coach’s voice.
And then very gently, as gentle as the sprinkling rain was falling, I felt a nudge in my heart. What about you? Whose voice are you listening to? You, too, have many voices influencing you. Train your ears to identify Mine.
How Do You Know if God Is Speaking to You?
God states in Psalm 81:13, Oh, that My people would listen to Me (NKJV).
John 10:3–4 says, To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice (NKJV).
Jesus—the Good Shepherd clearly articulates that His people follow Him because they hear — His whisper, His nudging, His impression.
First Kings 17 describes a wild time when Elijah was literally running for his life. He had killed the false prophets and now Jezebel wanted to murder him. Elijah was disheartened. The “voices in his head” had instigated a great big pity party. Eventually, he safely reached a cave in Mt. Horeb. While quiet in a cave, Elijah heard from God. 1 Kings 19:11–12 describes the voice:
Then he said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain of the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice (NKJV).
Why Is It So Hard How to Hear God’s Voice?
The noise we create or surround ourselves with may drown out the gentle voice of God. Noise can be both a noun and a verb. As a noun, noise is defined as “loud, confused, or senseless shouting or outcry.” As a verb, noise is defined as “to talk much or loudly…or spread by rumor.”
Life can be busy. Even the work we do for God — serving and teaching, for example — can become a confusing time when we’re bombarded with so much information, and much of it besieged by the world’s influence. This busyness and culture’s persuasion can hinder our ability to hear God. We must be intentional and tune out the noise so we can distinguish His still, small voice.
How Do We Differentiate God’s Voice from Satan’s Voice?
Our brain must sort through and process hundreds of pieces of information daily. All information is either true or false. God is all truth. Anything contrary to the truth is a lie.
John 8:44 identifies the devil as our adversary. John 10:10 tells us, The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (NKJV).
The devil delivers a message contrary to God’s truth. He uses social media, secular magazines, and television to bombard us with lies and scream we’ll never be enough and that we’re worthless. He shouts that our shameful past disqualifies us from hearing God’s voice. He uses some television programs to suggest that adultery and scandals bring satisfaction and self-fulfillment. The lifestyles of Hollywood celebrities and other famous people can make us dissatisfied with our lives and, instead, striving for the things this world can offer.
It is imperative that we combat these lies with God’s truth found in John 16:13: When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come (NASB). The Holy Spirit exposes deceit and wrong motives; He opens our eyes to the truth. He helps us hear God’s voice.
In What Ways Does God Speak to Us?
Sometimes God speaks to us through another person. It’s important to seek out godly friends who will pray for us and hold us accountable. Often God will surprise us and gently whisper to our hearts and remind us of something we’ve read in the Bible or of a biblical principle. He spoke this way to me or me at the ballgame.
But the Bible is the primary source in which we can hear God’s voice. Setting aside time for Bible reading is a pivotal first step to hearing God. Billy Graham once said, “One can approach the Bible with a cold, rationalistic attitude, or one can do so with reverence and the desire to hear God speak.”
If reading the Bible is something new for you, begin reading in John, Psalms, James, Ephesians, or Philippians. A Bible reading plan or devotional can also accompany your reading.
Use a journal to summarize the passage you read. Jot down how God’s words applied to you personally. For example, when reading, 1 Peter 5:7, Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (NIV) write down what has you worried. Or when reading, Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path (NIV) ask God to show you which is the best way to go. You can make the verse personal by substituting our name into the message. For example, write your name in the blank: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you [_________________] wherever you go (Joshua 1:9, NASB).
How Do We Start Hearing God's Voice?
Talk with God. It isn’t necessary to use fancy words. Use verbiage that you are most comfortable with. Be open and transparent and listen for His gentle whispers. While praying, you can enthusiastically say to God that you’re waiting for Him to speak. Sometimes, though, we must wait for God’s answer to a specific prayer. He’s not saying no but He is requiring you to wait. During this pause, be mindful of the way God’s voice can be heard throughout nature. With the rising of the morning sun, He reminds us He’s faithful—He hasn’t forgotten about us, our prayers, or our needs. With each predictable low and high tide, the ocean speaks that God is still in control. While we listen to the birds sing, God tells us He’ll take care of us too. And the mountains provide a majestic visual of God’s strength—our mighty fortress and strong tower—our Rock.
God wants us to hear His voice. Be intentional in looking and listening. Ask your friends to share how they hear God’s voice, then reveal what God has shown you, too.
God used a boys’ ballgame to demonstrate a life-changing principle: my need to train myself to better identify my coach’s voice. Let’s turn off the noise of our culture and turn on time with God. Just as Will and his teammates had to recognize their coach’s voice, spending time each day in prayer and Bible reading will help us distinguish and hear God’s voice.
Further Reading
How Can We Discern God’s Voice from Our Own?
Why Does God Speak in a Still Small Voice?
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Tatiana
Debbie Presnell is a member of Gardner-Webb University’s Gallery of Distinguished Alumni, a national speaker, Bible study teacher, and the United States spokesperson for Mukti Mission in India. She has published four books (available on Amazon) and her articles have been published in the Divine Moments series. She is the founder and director of Shine Camp: https://www.facebook.com/SHINE-Camp-Black-Mountain-106238787665684. Debbie vlogs and shares devotions and inspirational messages:
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Debbie and her husband, Alan, reside in NC. They have three adult children, two sons-in-love, and two grandchildren. She enjoys hiking and biking, spending time with her family, and loves both the beach and the mountains. Visit her website at www.debbiepresnell.com. Email her at debpres@yahoo.com.