How do I hear from God?

Answer

Every Christian has likely pondered at some point, “How can I hear from God?” This question is common because we seek to understand God’s plans for us and strive to please our heavenly Father. The variety of responses, however, has led to much confusion and debate. It is essential to base our answers on biblical principles when addressing the question of how to hear from God.

The Bible reveals how we can hear from God: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Hebrews 1:1-2;ESV).

Prior to the Incarnation of God the Son, God communicated through the prophets. Messages from God were conveyed through individuals like Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Micah, Malachi, and other prophets. They delivered God’s messages, and often their words were recorded and preserved so that we would always have knowledge of His promises, His law, and His redemptive plans.

There were instances when God directly communicated with people. For example, Abraham and Joshua had direct conversations with God at times (Genesis 12:1;Genesis 17:1;Joshua 5:13-15). Others, like Jacob, received messages from God through dreams (Genesis 28:12-13). Ezekiel had visions «Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. », (Ezekiel 1:1). Saul began to hear from God and speak for Him when “the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him” .”And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.” (1 Samuel 10:10).

But, in most cases, people did not hear from God directly; rather, they were responsible to read God’s written Word or seek out God’s chosen mouthpiece. On at least two occasions, King Jehoshaphat asked to hear from a prophet of God (1 Kings 22:7; 2 Kings 3:11). Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, sought to hear from God through the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 8:7-8). Isaiah told the people of Judah they had a responsibility to “consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning” “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20); that is, they were to read the written Word of God already delivered to them.

With the birth of Jesus, things changed. John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament prophets. Through the ministry of Jesus, God spoke directly to us. Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, the Sermon on the Plain, and the Olivet Discourse; and His pronouncements of being the Bread of Life, the True Vine, and the Good Shepherd are God’s direct revelation of who He is. Jesus’ words “are full of the Spirit and life” “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63).

The writer to the Hebrews says, “In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” The “last days” are the current dispensation—the church age. Jesu

Jesus Christ was the pinnacle of God’s revelation; He is the Final Word to us. In the Bible, Jesus’ words are recorded for us. When Jesus ascended back into heaven, He left behind hand-picked apostles who were given the special task of recording what Jesus had said and done. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, these men were authorized by God to speak and record God’s words to His church so that all of the church can truly hear from God. We now hear from God through His written Word, which is the Bible.

So, essentially, we hear from God by reading our Bibles and hearing it preached.

For many people who want to hear from God, hearing, “Read your Bible,” is not very satisfying. They desire a more “direct” and “personal” communication. There are many problems with such a desire, starting with the fact that neglecting or rejecting the Bible in order to seek a “new” word from God is spiritually dangerous. It is arrogant for someone to think that he is so special as to receive direct revelation from God, especially when God said in the first century that He has spoken through His Son, who is “appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe” «hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; », (Hebrews 1:2). We can’t top Jesus. There are no modern-day apostles or prophets who function in the same manner as the biblical apostles and prophets.

God does speak to people today, but the means He uses always include the Bible. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer and gives gifts to them as He chooses. Some are given gifts to teach, correct, admonish, and encourage other Christians. There is no new revelation being given (see Revelation 22:18), but God has gifted people in the church to be able to speak into the lives of other Christians. Exhortation and the offering of biblical advice are important within the community.

Unity of believers.

A pastor’s guidance from God’s Word is one way we receive messages from God today. Advice from a friend, rooted in Scripture, is another way we receive messages from God. A command given by a God-appointed authority figure is yet another way we receive messages from God.

We must never overlook the importance of praying and reflecting on God’s Word. By pondering a passage of Scripture and seeking God’s guidance and insight through prayer, we receive messages from God. By immersing ourselves in the Bible daily, the Holy Spirit reveals truths to us that we recognize as coming from God because they are directly from His Word. What a privilege it is to have God’s Word easily accessible to us!

“I meditate on your precepts

and consider your ways.

I delight in your decrees;

I will not neglect your word”

(Psalm 119:15-16)