How to Hear the Voice of God
by Adam Wittenberg
9/8/16
Training and Events
In listening, we can hear the voice of God. It’s our privilege as His children, yet, even those who hear want to hear Him better.
Jesus says,
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (Jn. 10:27).
The Lord speaks in many ways. Sometimes it’s through a Scripture, a sermon, or a word from a friend. He uses songs, media, painting, and dance. One thing is certain: we can grow in learning and discerning the voice of God.
The Power of Prophecy
Prophecy—declaring a message from God to a person or group of people—is increasing in the Church, as prophesied in Joel 2:28-29:
“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.”
There is also an increase in healing, miracles, and signs and wonders, and we celebrate that.
Training in the prophetic and supernatural gifts is valuable, but Scripture warns about using power and knowledge without intimacy (see Matthew 7:21–23). Sadly, gifting doesn’t produce character, and many gifted people have fallen in temptation and weakness, despite their powerful ministry.
Doing the Main Thing
Maybe you’ve heard the saying: “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing”? In Scripture, the main thing, or one thing, we are called to is knowing God.
This was David’s heart cry, recorded in Psalm 27:4:
One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.
Jesus emphasized it in the story of Mary and Martha (Lk. 10:38–42), when He said that “one thing is needed,” which is intimacy with Him, instead of more works. Works flow from intimacy, not the other way around.
Those who are close to the Lord usually hear His voice better, and discern how to respond to what they hear in order to labor with Him, not apart from Him.
How to Hear His Voice Better
If you’re seeking to hear God’s voice better, prayer is likely the best foundation. Intimacy doesn’t come quickly; it takes T-I-M-E, which is one of God’s primary love languages.
The more we know the Lord, and His Word, the better we can relate Him to others. That could be through a prophetic word, a song, a healing, or an anointing to preach and evangelize. There are many expressions, including acts of mercy, compassion, or gifted storytelling through media, but one source.
God isn’t limited in how He can speak, and He’s willing to use almost anyone who will listen, but do we have the intimacy and knowledge of Him to know when it’s His voice?
This question is all the more important given Jesus’ warnings about the end times.
Hearing in the End Times
Although many Christians fear persecution and natural disasters (which are both real threats), Jesus gave repeated warnings about deception, including false prophets and false christs (see Matthew 24).
In an environment of competing claims about Jesus’ identity, the Lord is raising up clear voices that will proclaim the truth about who He is and isn’t. Birthed in prayer and a close relationship with the Lord, their voices will pierce the chaos and confusion with a clear word from God.
The Lord is speaking, and looking for ordinary men and women who will know Him through prayer and make Him known in word, song, and deed.
If you’d like to hear God’s voice better, try spending more time with Him in prayer and Scripture. Even better, pray-read the Word. You can watch Mike Bickle’s teaching on that topic here.
The writer of James tells us, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (Jas. 4:8)
This promise is true for all who want to hear God’s voice and declare Him to others. It’s there for the taking (Mt. 11:12). Will you press in?
Question: How can you grow in hearing God’s voice?
If you’d like training in prayer, the Word, and hearing God’s voice (including prophecy), consider International House of Prayer University. Preach, sing, play music, and use media for God’s glory in a community of night-and-day prayer. IHOPU is currently offering 50 percent off the application fee, plus a $250 tuition discount, for new applications received by Oct. 15.
Learn more about IHOPU »
Adam Wittenberg
A Detroit native who was raised in Vermont and Connecticut, Adam worked as a newspaper journalist until 2012, when he moved to Kansas City to complete the Intro to IHOPKC internship. Afterwards, he earned a four-year certificate in House of Prayer Leadership from IHOPU and is now on full-time staff in the Marketing department at IHOPKC. He also serves in the NightWatch (overnight prayer hours) and is active in evangelism. He, and his wife Stephany, have a vision to reach people everywhere with the good news of Jesus Christ.
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