How can we recognize the voice of God?

Recognizing God’s Voice by Scripture and Revelation

How can we recognize the voice of God? This question has been asked by countless people throughout the ages. Samuel heard the voice of God, but did not recognize it until he was instructed by Eli. Gideon had a physical revelation from God, and he still doubted what he had heard, to the point of asking for a sign, not once, but three times.

The Complete Bible as the Standard for Discernment

When we are listening for God's voice, how can we know that He is the one speaking? First of all, we have something that Gideon and Samuel did not. We have the complete Bible, the inspired Word of God to read, study, and meditate on.

All scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. When we have a question about a certain topic or decision in our lives, we should see what the Bible has to say about it.

Hearing the Shepherd’s Voice Through Faith and Bible Study

God will never lead us contrary to what He has taught in His Word. To hear God's voice, we must belong to God. Jesus said, My sheep listen to my voice, I know them, and they follow me. Those who hear God's voice are those who belong to Him, those who have been saved by His grace through faith in the Lord Jesus.

These are the sheep who hear and recognize His voice because they know Him as their shepherd. If we are to recognize God's voice, we must belong to Him. We hear His voice when we spend time in Bible study in quiet contemplation of His Word.

Recognizing God’s Leading by Testing It Against Scripture

The more time we spend intimately with God and His Word, the easier it is to recognize His voice and His leading in our lives. Employees at a bank are trained to recognize counterfeits by studying genuine money so closely that it is easy to spot a fake.

We should be so familiar with God's Word that when someone speaks error to us, it is clear that it is not of God. While God could speak audibly to people today, He speaks primarily through His written Word.

Sometimes, God's leading can come through the Holy Spirit, through our consciences, through circumstances, and through the exhortations of other people. By comparing what we hear to the truth of Scripture, we can learn to recognize God's voice.

Got questions? The Bible has answers, and we'll help you find them.