How to Hear God’s Voice and Listen (3 Surefire Ways)

Do you ever wonder how to listen to God? Do you feel that He isn’t speaking to you on a regular basis? Learn how to hear God’s voice so that you can have an out-of-this-world relationship with our Lord Almighty!

Think about it; if you spend more time on Earth listening for God to speak to you, you will build upon that relationship. Wouldn’t it be great to have a stronger bond with the Deity that you will be spending eternity with? Why not get to know Him better?

Is not our end goal to be in Heaven with God and our Lord Jesus Christ? Wouldn’t it be smart to spend as much time on Earth as possible building your relationship with Him? You should want to hear from God so that you will know what He wants you to do with your Earthly life! 

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How Does God Speak to His People?

Let’s dive in to discover even more secrets to hearing God’s voice and listening to it! You will learn how to discern God’s voice in your life if you seek God in all you do, pay attention when the Lord speaks, and take the voice of God seriously! Learn to recognize God’s voice today!

God speaks through His Word.

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The Bible is the only “living” book in the world. It is amazing the things you can learn from the Bible if you commit to Bible study. Think long and hard about getting serious when it comes to Bible study. After all, this is how God communicates with us – through His word.

If Bible study seems overwhelming, consider reading the Bible a bit at a time. No one says that you need to be a scholar overnight! 

God does not expect perfection from His believers! He wants genuine interest in His Word! If your heart’s not into it, pray for the encouragement you need from the Holy Spirit.

You might feel a little tug on your heart when you first begin doing Bible studies. You’ll feel good about the experience, but you won’t know how to apply the knowledge. Give it some time! It can take a while to truly understand what you are learning!

Don’t get discouraged, though! This is the chief way to hear God’s voice. Just pick up a Bible, and give it a whirl. 

Remember that it’s like an elephant; you can’t eat it all in one bite, but you can eat it a small nibble at a time. Reading and studying the Word of God is the same way!

When you feel lost or confused about something, turn to the Bible. If you want to know how to hear God’s voice when making a decision, look to His Word. You will find the answers there, and isn’t it lovely to know that God always has your back?? He’s got you covered; just listen!

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. – Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

God speaks through your relationship with Him.

Building a relationship with God is probably one of the smartest things you can ever do in your life. It won’t come easily because, like any relationship, you have to put time and effort into it. There is a give and take to it all. No matter how hard it gets, you should always seek Him!

Over time, the relationship will become easier to maintain, and you will learn that God speaks to you through this bond you have secured. Did you know that God wants a relationship with you? It’s true; He wants His children to seek Him first in all that they do!

God longs to see your heart exposed. He wants to know that you desire a real relationship with Him. Once you’ve heard God’s voice in your life, you will recognize His voice in all you do.

So, how can you build this bond? It’s simple; make time for Him in your daily life. Schedule at least 15 minutes a day for God. You can build on this time over the next few months.

The closer you get to Him, the easier the relationship will be. Think about your best friend; that relationship didn’t just grow overnight; it took time to really get to know that individual, right? You didn’t know her favorite color after just one time of hanging out together.

The effort you put into knowing God will be worth it. You will learn how to combat temptation, deal with difficult people, and have a sense of hope that tomorrow will be a better day if you just allow it to be and trust Him. Set your worries aside, and come to the Lord to grow as a person!

God speaks to you in your prayers.

You may think that God surely cannot speak to us in prayers because they are one-way streets. We talk about our wants, dreams, worries, and more, but do we ever actually listen? Listening is a crucial part of our prayer lives. We need to take the time to hear God’s voice.

It’s understandable that you want to pray for those in need or ask God to grant your favorite wish or help you with a pressing decision, but God can’t speak to you if you just talk the whole time you are praying. You must spend some time in silence so that you can really listen.

Even with a human relationship, listening is never easy. It takes skill and patience – things that are not always easy to come by. Learn how to pray and take the time needed to listen for God to respond. He may not audibly speak to us, but He does reach out in His own ways.

The Lord may respond to you in signs, dreams, nudges, or even as a strong desire that relates to your spiritual calling! How will you know God is speaking to you if you don’t take the time to listen, though? Practice looking for the answers from God and watching for the signs from Him.

I keep a prayer journal that helps me when I spend time in prayer. It gives me the strength and discipline to make time for listening when I pray. You can do this in a notebook or even on your computer. Just make notes of any of the times you believe you are hearing from God.

The results may astound you; God is everywhere! Sometimes, I really don’t feel His presence and want to so very badly. Instead of wallowing in self-pity in those moments, I read up on the subject. Try a Hearing God’s Voice Bible Study by Priscilla Shirer, or read some online articles!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

How to Know if God is Speaking to You

He won’t contradict the Bible (Himself).

If you wonder if God is speaking to you, you might question what you believe you’ve heard or seen, asking if those were truly answers or signs from God. One way you can judge this is by reading the Bible. God will not contradict the Bible, so if your signs do, they are not from Him.

You will discern it.

Often, when I want to know if God is speaking to me, I really listen. The Holy Spirit will help us discern God’s voice. 

Sometimes it comes as a feeling. Suddenly, I feel a warmth or even goosebumps when an answer is revealed to me. I know that that is God speaking to me. Some people smell certain things when God is revealed to them; others get a chill!

It could come as a word of encouragement from a fellow brother or sister in Christ. Their words confirm what you believe the Lord has been speaking to you.

It will align with your spiritual calling.

If you know what your spiritual calling is, it’s time to map it out. Write out your goals and the steps you plan to use to accomplish what God has called you to do. When you see signs or feel God is speaking to you, most likely, those feelings will be a confirmation of your calling.

A Prayer to Hear God’s Voice

Dear Heavenly Father,

We are so grateful for Your Word and the way that You speak to us. As I long to hear Your voice, please open my heart. Teach me to listen to what You are saying to me so that I can follow Your commands and do Your will. 

As You continue to bless my life, open my eyes! I long for You!

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

how to hear God's voice

Concluding Thoughts on Hearing God’s Voice

As you go about your day, be sure to take a moment to hear God’s voice. He is always out there, showing you the signs and answers you need to make your decisions and guide your behaviors. Just listen! Try to learn something new every day, and you will be blessed for it!

We hope this message will bless your life and help you hear God’s voice through the midst of the busy lives we live. If you are wanting to learn how to listen to God, make sure you keep an open mind. Pray, study your Bible, and work on your relationship with the Lord.

These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. – John 16:1 (NKJV)

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Michele KelseyMeet the Author:

Michele L. Kelsey is a Bible scholar and freelance writer who founded and manages Sharing Life and Love – a Christian website dedicated to helping people become the best version of themselves through volunteerism, Christianity, and recovery. She also runs a writing business, Michele L Kelsey.