How does God speak to us? There are a number of ways God speaks. One thing to note, though, is that it is the Holy Spirit that speaks to us through the unique 'language of the Spirit'. The language of the Spirit can be direct and plainly stated or it can be indirect with symbols and numbers.
Here are the ways God speaks to us:
1. Scripture
The Bible is the foundational and most reliable way God communicates. All other revelations are to be tested against Scripture. God will speak to you as you read Scripture by highlighting words, phrases, or verses, and helping interpret and understand what you read.
Examples:
- 2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
2. Inner witness
A sense of peace, conviction, or a deep knowing within the believer.
Example:
- Romans 8:16 - The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
3. Thoughts and impressions
God can speak through spontaneous ideas or promptings that are not our own and that align with God’s character and Word.
Example:
- 1 Kings 19:12 - After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
4. Dreams and visions
God can speak through supernatural experiences that may provide guidance, encouragement, or prophetic insight.
Dreams occur when you are asleep. Visions occur when you are awake. In both cases, it does not matter whether your eyes are open or shut. What distinguishes the two is whether you are asleep or awake. Dreams: asleep. Visions: awake. You can have open-eye visions and closed-eye visions, in both you are awake.
Examples:
- Joel 2:28 - “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
- Acts 2:17 - “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
- Acts 16:9–10 - 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
5. Prophecy
Prophecies are words spoken under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, often within the context of church gatherings. This includes instances where tongues are interpreted, which becomes equivalent to prophecy because it is the Holy Spirit speaking and then interpreting Himself through someone.
Examples:
- 1 Corinthians 14:1–3 - 1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
- 1 Corinthians 14:27–28 - 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
6. Events, circumstances, and signs
God may use events, people, or situations to speak to and guide us. This can include, both, personal and public happenings.
Examples:
- Jeremiah 18:1–6 - 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2 “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. 5 Then the word of the LORD came to me. 6 He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.
- Hosea 1:2–9 - 2 When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the LORD.” 3 So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. 4 Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. 5 In that day I will break Israel’s bow in the Valley of Jezreel.” 6 Gomer conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Call her Lo-Ruhamah (which means “not loved”), for I will no longer show love to Israel, that I should at all forgive them. 7 Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the LORD their God, will save them.” 8 After she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, Gomer had another son. 9 Then the LORD said, “Call him Lo-Ammi (which means “not my people”), for you are not my people, and I am not your God.
- Acts 16:6–7 - 6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
- Revelation 3:7–8 - 7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
7. Audible voice
This is rare, but some have heard God speak audibly. Don't count on this happening, it is a sovereign act of God.
Examples:
- 1 Samuel 3:4–11 - 4 Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 6 Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 And the LORD said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle.
- Acts 9:4–7 - 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.
As you can see, God speaks in a variety of ways and has a unique language that He speaks through. Growing in recognizing His voice and understanding His language takes time.
In the next post, we will look at keys to hearing God's voice.
