How do I know I’ve heard from God?
Have you ever heard someone say, “And I heard God speaking clearly to me …”?
Maybe your reaction to hearing those words is skepticism … or maybe you feel confused about why others hear from God and you don’t. Or maybe you even wonder if you yourself have ever heard from God and you missed it!
The truth is, God speaks in a variety of ways, but how can we be sure it’s Him?
How can we be sure it’s Him?
When an unknown number calls your phone, do you answer it? If you’re like most Americans, you choose to let unknown numbers go to voicemail. However, if a friend calls you, you’re more likely to pick up and answer, because you know them.
The same is true of your relationship with God. The best way to learn to recognize His voice is by spending time with Him, in prayer and reading His letters to us, the Bible.
Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (NIV)
Three Questions to Ask
Discerning between God’s voice and our own thoughts is a journey, a lifelong adventure, and the call of every believer. It can also be incredibly complicated, especially when we invite others to weigh in on our struggle. But it doesn’t have to be! The next time you think you are hearing from God, ask yourself these questions:
- Does what I think I’m hearing God say go against Scripture?
God’s character is unchanging, so His inspired Word will always align with what He says and calls us to do. One of our priorities as believers should be to immerse ourselves into His Word so that we can discern when others or our own hearts contradict the truth. One of the ways you can do this is by using the SOAP (Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer) acronym while you are reading your Bible. Learn more about SOAP by clicking here!
We see this principle of Scripture in Joshua 1:8: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (ESV)
- Is what I’m hearing confirmed through wise counsel?
Perhaps God is speaking to you through a sermon, Bible study lesson at Missional Community, a podcast or a conversation with your DNA partner. Look for the message to be confirmed through people and sources you trust.
After all, as Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” (ESV)
- Is what I’m hearing in keeping with God’s purposes and mission?
In John 10:27, we read “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (NIV). So how do we discern for sure we are hearing His voice?
Sometimes God asks us to do difficult things, like be more generous or love someone who doesn’t make it easy to love them. When in those situations, we can easily discount God’s voice and refuse to obey the Holy Spirit’s prompting in our lives. But this is not just doubting God’s voice; it’s disobedience.
We hope these three questions are helpful to you the next time you wonder if you’re truly hearing from God! Let’s all commit to making space in our lives to encounter Him so that we better recognize His voice when He speaks!