Great question. I have friends who tell me God speaks to them, too, and I sometimes find it confusing. Personally, I don’t think God often speaks out loud like he did with Moses and Jesus in the Bible. I believe when most people say God is speaking to them, they mean he’s communicating through ways that are pretty common to all Christians.
God speaks to us primarily through the Bible, his own Word. We read in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is God-breathed. …" The message the Bible brings us is trustworthy, because it’s inspired by God himself. Other ways people believe God speaks to them are in sermons, music, and worship with fellow Christians. In my life, I often feel God speaking to me through my friends and family.
I think what most people mean when they talk about hearing God speak is that God has been affecting them through the still, small voice of his Holy Spirit in their minds and hearts. For example, this morning in my regular quiet time with God, as I prayed by praising and thanking him, I thought of the words, "My grace for you is new every morning." That phrase happens to be from a verse of Scripture, but I believe, in the voice of the Spirit, God placed that promise this morning on my mind. I didn’t hear even a whisper, but I know the Lord was speaking to me.
Be assured that God does listen to everything you have to say to him, even if it seems like his response is pretty quiet. He cares about every aspect of your life. You will know when God is talking if what you hear or feel is consistent with the Bible. If what you think is God’s voice tells you something that doesn’t line up with the whole message of Scripture, it isn’t God. God doesn’t contradict his own Word. |
