How can we recognize the voice of God?

Response

This inquiry has been posed by numerous individuals over the centuries. Samuel heard the voice of God but did not recognize it until he was guided by Eli (1 Samuel 3:1-10). Gideon received a physical revelation from God, yet he still questioned what he had heard to the extent of requesting a sign, not just once, but three times (Judges 6:17-22,36-40). When we are attentive to God’s voice, how can we discern that He is the one communicating? Primarily, we possess something that Gideon and Samuel did not have. We have the complete Bible, the inspired Word of God, to peruse, contemplate, and reflect upon. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is beneficial for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). When we encounter a query regarding a specific subject or decision in our lives, we should examine what the Bible states about it. God will never guide us in opposition to what He has instructed in His Word «in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began; », (Titus 1:2).

To perceive God’s voice, we must be part of God. Jesus stated, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” «My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: », (John 10:27). Those who hear God’s voice are those who belong to Him.

Him—those who have been saved by His grace through faith in the Lord Jesus. These individuals are the sheep who hear and recognize His voice because they know Him as their Shepherd. To recognize God’s voice, we must belong to Him.

We hear His voice when we dedicate time to Bible study and quiet contemplation of His Word. The more time we spend intimately with God and His Word, the easier it becomes to recognize His voice and His guidance in our lives. Bank employees are trained to identify counterfeits by examining genuine money so closely that spotting a fake is simple. We should be so well-acquainted with God’s Word that when someone conveys falsehoods to us, it is evident that it is not from God.

While God could speak audibly to people today, He primarily communicates through His written Word. At times, God’s guidance may come through the Holy Spirit, our consciences, circumstances, or the encouragements of others. By comparing what we hear to the truth of Scripture, we can learn to discern God’s voice.