Listening In Silence: A Guide On How To Hear From God

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Published by Shannon Jacobs

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We believe in God and constantly yearn for His presence. Our need to hear His voice becomes more intense when we face solitude and abject pain. We cry out to Him, imploring for divine intervention to rescue us from a dreaded disease or heal our broken family. But, oftentimes, we sense that our invitation to God falls on deaf ears. Where is God? Will God speak at all? How to hear from God?

In the past, Adam, the prophets, Jesus, and the apostles heard God speak. Today, He speaks to us individually and as a nation through God-instigated events and the unfolding of biblical prophecy. God also lives in us through the Holy Spirit, and His indwelling is more powerful than an audible voice. We hear from God in many circumstances, but He may also remain silent if He chooses to.

Key Takeaways

  • Sin, busyness, and external distractions hinder hearing God’s voice. Repentance and prioritizing spiritual activities are vital for fostering receptivity.
  • God communicates through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, fellowship, introspection, dreams, and nature. Patience and spiritual maturity aid in discerning His voice.
  • God spoke through prophets, Jesus, apostles, and answered prayers. Recognizing past modes of communication enhances trust in God’s ongoing guidance.

What Distracts You From Hearing God?

Sin And Disobedience

Sin and hardheadedness block our good-hearted communication and fellowship with God. When we try to hide from Him, we’re less likely to hear God’s voice. The more often we choose to sin, the less often we will hear God’s voice.

Busyness And Complacency 

God is constantly speaking to us, sometimes by showing us the number 1111. But we often miss out on catching God’s voice because we are too busy with the things of the world. Another primary distraction from hearing God is our selectiveness and complacency. We seek His guidance only occasionally—when we are in pain or trouble. But we neglect to ask for His presence in our times of good health, merriment, and abundance.

We also often neglect to pray, read God’s Word, and engage in spiritual activities like going to church. Busyness steals our ability to slow down long enough to fellowship and hear God’s voice.

Outside Influences And The Devil

The works and influence of the devil are the primary distractions from our relationship with God. Satan’s main aim is to capture our attention and direct our worship in his direction. He also masquerades as an “angel of light,” deceiving us into thinking that he is of God.

Entertainment or information, with technology at our fingertips, also influences us. Social media, TV, movies, and video games occupy our brains and leave little or no space for God. The enemy makes it difficult for us to recognize God’s voice.

An illustration depicting a figure kneeling in awe, bathed in celestial light

10 Powerful Ways To Hear From God 

1. Confess Your Sins

Sin, disobedience, and distractions crowd out God’s presence in our lives. Repentance and confession are keys to unlocking a holy fellowship with God. When we live righteously and abhor sin, God always delights in constant fellowship with us.

2. Through God’s Word

God is always speaking to us through the Scriptures. When we read God’s written word, we draw instruction and inspiration from God. We also get God’s direction for our everyday lives.

3. Indwelling Of The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit resides in every believer and gives gifts to them as He chooses. A spirit-led life is a manifestation that God is in control, and seeing the number 111 may be a manifestation of things to come. The Holy Spirit always speaks with us when we constantly read the written word of God.

4. Church And Fellowship

When believers gather together in the global church for praise and worship, the presence of God becomes more profound. Matthew 18:20 reads: “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.”

5. Check Your Motives

What is your motive for hearing God’s voice? Oftentimes, if we seek God for our selfish motives without regard to His Word and love for other people, He remains silent. Perhaps we only want to hear the good things from God and ignore His negative messages. God loves us[1], and He wants us to love Him above all else and other people as well.

6. Hearing God Is Not The Only Goal

Obedience to God and the pursuit of the growth of our faith are more important than hearing His voice. Our main goal is to become spiritually mature people in a close relationship with God.

7. Be Patient With God’s Voice

Don’t demand God’s voice or force Him to speak to us. Because of our sins and stubbornness, He will often allow us to do things or experience life on our own to discipline or punish us. But if we remain faithful, He will surely come to our rescue and make His presence known and His voice audibly clear again.

8. Through Our Minds

More often, we discern God’s voice through our thoughts. In our somber solitude, we feel the presence of God and His voice. Psalm 46:10 reads, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

9. Through Dreams And Visions

The Living Word tells us we hear God in the quiet of our dreams or in random visions. God revealed His messages to Daniel and other Bible characters in dreams or visions.

10. Through Nature

God’s creation reminds us of His love, magnificence, and promises. When we marvel at all the beauty around us, we know that God is with us—His most beloved creation. Romans 1:20 reads: For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

An oil painting capturing a moment of spiritual revelation, with a figure illuminated by a soft golden glow

Remarkable Ways God Speaks In The Bible

Prophets

Before the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, God spoke through the prophets. God spoke to the people through men such as Samuel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Micah, Malachi, and the other prophets. They relayed messages from God, and often their words were written down to prove His promises, laws, and redemptive plans.

His Son, Jesus Christ

Despite being the Son of God, He lived on earth in the flesh. Through his actual ministry, sermons, and teachings, we directly heard the voice of God. Hebrews 1:1–2 reads: “In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom also he made the universe.”

Apostles

When Jesus ascended back into heaven, He left behind His chosen apostles, who were given the special task of recording what Jesus had said and done. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, God told these men to speak and record God’s words to His church and all the people. God wrote the New Testament through the apostles.

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How Do You Know You’re Hearing God’s Voice?

Answered Prayers

God speaks to us and reveals Himself to us in our answered prayers. We praise God for His intervention and rescue in response to our plea for help and guidance. We hear God speaking in our prayers.

Inspiration From Scripture

God speaks to us through the Bible, and that is why it is called the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 reads: “For the word of God is alive and active.” Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

In The Company Of Other Believers

We do not intend to live the Christian life alone or in our own strength. We have a Christian community that serves as an affirmation that God is with us. God’s voice becomes more profound when we are around people who regularly listen to Him.

Spiritual Maturity

Our identity and spiritual growth with Jesus mature with time and experience. The longer we walk with Jesus, the more we will discern His voice. God always speaks, but over time, we will become more confident in knowing when He’s speaking and what He’s saying.

A watercolor painting of a woman praying to God

Summary

Whether we are looking for an affirmation, an answer to our prayers, or relief from an existing crisis, we seek the soothing but also rebuking voice of God. The closer we get to God today, the more we can enjoy an ongoing fellowship with Him.

Like a father and friend, God wants what is best for us, and He speaks the truth. Find His wisdom and truth in the pages of the Bible, in our prayers, and in the company of other Christians. God does not hide from us. On the contrary, we often find ourselves hiding from Him because of our sins and iniquities. Cleanse ourselves, trust Him, and we shall hear His voice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Train myself to hear from God?

To hear from God, practice prayer, meditation, and reflection on spiritual teachings, fostering a receptive mindset. Seek divine guidance through scripture, mentors, and introspection, trusting in spiritual growth.

How do I make God hear me?

To ensure God hears you, pray sincerely, meditate on your intentions, and live by values aligned with divine teachings. Trust in the power of your connection and communicate with a pure heart.

How do I quiet my mind to hear God?

To quiet your mind and hear God, practice mindfulness through deep breathing, meditation, and focused prayer in a serene environment. Let go of distractions and worries, embracing the present moment with openness and receptivity. Trust in the process, as clarity often emerges from a calm and receptive mind.

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