How does God speak to us?
“He who is of God hears God’s words;” (John 8:47)
God speaks in different ways. Very rarely does he speak in an audible voice, although he does speak that way at times to some people; more often he speaks in a “still small voice” (1st Kings 19:12). He speaks to us through His Holy Spirit.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26).
When we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit speaks to us to make the words have meaning and come alive.
“For the word (logos) of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
Without the Holy Spirit helping us to understand, the words just seem to be words.
The first way to hear from God is to read his Word, the Bible, as this is where God speaks to us the clearest. If we spend time reading his Word we will begin to understand who God really is, how much he loves us, his good plans for our life, and his plan for mankind. We will also begin to understand God’s power and sovereignty and be filled with faith.
17 So then faithcometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
“Logos,” is a Greek word orginally meaning “word, thought, principle, or speech.” Logos often refers to the written word of God which is the Bible. It also refers to the person Jesus, God’s word in the flesh (John 1:14). God and his word are one.
1″In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it. “ John 1:1-5
Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirt are all one.
I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)
7For there are three that testify: 8the[a] Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 10Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:7:13)
Logos is defined further here and even more here. The Logos word is a word with final authority as it is straight from God and we don’t ever have to doubt that it is from God. Sometimes we need help understanding it, so God gave us his Holy Spirit, the Great Counselor, the Spirit of Truth, to help us understand it. Through God’s Holy Spirit we have constant communion and communication with God.
15“If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14: 15-17)
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26)
“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. (John 15:26)
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. (Rom 8:9)
The revelation we receive from the Holy Spirit is often referred to as a “Rhema” word. I think this does a good job of explaining Rhema further and also gives more information about Logos. If God convicts you of sin after reading the scriptures and begins to point out that the behavior you’ve been doing you should no longer do, then that is a rhema word. If God tell you he wants you to be a preacher, that is a rhema word. Prophetic words are also often referred to as rhema words, rhema meaning that it is a personal revelation from God.
Although the Bible (Logos) is pretty clear cut it gets a little more tricky with rhema words because there is the possibility of having misheard, confused imagination with the words of God, or worse yet, believed a lie from Satan as the word of God. We’ll talk more about this in a bit. First, I want to talk more about ways to hear from God, then I’ll explain some ways to hear more clearly and minimize the confusion.
God does speak to us in all kinds of ways, which will always line up with what’s in the Bible. We may have a thought or a sense about something which is from God. We may even have a vision. He may show us something is the natural realm and then give us a spiritual understanding of its significance. He may speak to us through a dream. He may speak to us through our circumstances. He may speak to us through something we are reading, or he may use someone else to speak directly to us. He may speak to us through a song, or a dance, or a piece of art, or even nature. God may use all these means to deliver a message to us. However, its important to use discernment to know when God is speaking to us because Satan could deceive us through any of these means as well. Remember, there’s also our imaginations which can sometimes mislead us.
So how do we know when God is speaking to us?
Our relationship to God will play an important factor in how well we hear from God. God is a real person and just like in any relationship we can grow to understand God more or we can choose to become distant. God will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6), but we can leave him. Also, nothing can separate us from God loving us, not even the worst sin, not even death (Romans 8:38-39) so God will continue to try to reach us and communicate with us, but we have a choice if we want to listen to him or not. When you’re far away from somebody its hard to hear them. There may be competing sounds which are louder and drown out the voice of the Lord. The closer you are to God, then, the easier it is to hear him. The more time we spend with God the more we will understand him, and the more we understand who God really is, the easier it will be to discern his voice. He will never tell us anything that is contrary to his character or Word (what is written in the Bible) (Hebrews 6:18-19).
Therefore, it makes sense to spend time in the Bible to understand God and his will for our lives. There we will find lots of practical advice and guidance about how to manage this life and live with joy, holiness, and fullness.
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. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
As I said, the Bible is the best starting place. If you try to hear the Lord without having a solid knowledge base of the Bible, you are sure to get mislead. The Bible is how we judge all the other words we get from God. Again, God will never contradict his word.
“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19)
“I the LORD do not change.” (Malachi 3:6)
God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged (Hebrew 6:18-19)
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began…(Titus 1:2)
So if you think God is talking to you, but you are unsure, ask yourself if what you think you are hearing lines up with the word of God. Also, ask yourself, “Does it line up with the nature and character of God?” Also, you can ask God to make it clear to you. Just say a simple prayer asking God to give you confirmation. He may end up giving you he same message again through multiple sources. He understands where you are in your relationship to him and He is not going to leave you floundering. Just ask him and he will help you.
Remember this about the things God says:
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. (Proverbs 8:8-9)
I feel like obedience is an important factor in hearing God clearly. I feel like the more we respond to God when he speaks to us and act on what he tells us, the more we will hear him with clarity. When we don’t respond favorably to him or when we fail to act on what he tells us, then the less clear what he is trying to say to us will be. Faith is what pleases God and if we really believe God, we will do what he tells us.
But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you. “Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. (Jeremiah 7:23-24)
We should create an inviting place for God, and spend time in God’s presence living in holiness. It is out faith in God which makes it possible to be holy. It is our time in the Word which will raise our faith (Romans 10:17), and that faith in God as our Savior and in his Words, through the power of the Holy Spirit will make us holy. For more about salvation and holiness read this “How to be saved.”
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalms 119:11)
Our relationship with God will gradually lead us down a path of holiness as his Being in us begins to transform our lives. This resulting holiness allows us to hear God and understand God more clearly, so the more we grow in God the more clearly we will hear him. A relationship with God is not a static thing. If we are truly relating to God we will grow. We will be changed. We will become more like him. He will renew our minds. He will guide us into all Truth. God wll do most of the work. All we have to do is submit to him and follow him though our obedience.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
Of course, God expects us to seek him and to respond to him when he convicts us and teaches us, but God gives us free will, and he won’t force himself on us.
God will purify us as we seek after him. He will begin to show us things in our hearts, thoughts, and life that don’t match up with the truth of who we are, of who He is, or of the life he created us to live. He works different ways in people, but he will eventually deliver us from all sins, including addictions, fears, lack of faith, strongholds, etc. He will convict us and deliver us from the most harmful sins and also go after the sins that might be overlooked by others, but still affect us spiritually. It is all sin to him.
Side note: Some people make the mistake of trying to be Holy first and of trying to clean up their life before they invite God in. You can’t be Holy on your own. It is the other way around. No matter what sins you have going on in your life let God in. He came to save the sinner. Don’t give up your relationship to God because of sin. Some sins take a bit longer to fall off. Keep pressing into God. Keep studying his Word. The life in His Word will gradually set you free, completely. The more you study his Word the more you will come to believe it. Faith is even a gift from God. Just ask him for more of it if you need it.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
It’s not so much about living a perfect life and going about our life trying to accomplish things by our works, (note: the works of the flesh Galatians 5:22) but about allowing the Spirit of God to have his perfect work in us which naturally leads to a more pure, righteous life. The righteousness is a by product of our relationship to God and not the other way around(Romans 3-6). This relationship and resulting purity that we have with the Lord seems to open us up to increasing revelation and knowledge about spiritual matters. We may eventually have increased wisdom and discernment as we hear from God on an even deeper level. It’s a wonderful realm to live in because it is in the Lord’s presence we have fullness of joy, and access to heavenly realms, power, and potential.
11″But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. 17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1st Timothy 6: 11-19
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (1stCor 2:9-12)
The more we are able to abide in him through our study of his Word, quiet time with him, and our obedience, the more free, joyful, and liberated we seem to be, and consequently the better we hear Him and understand what Truth is.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:6-7)
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now, if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we might also share in his glory. I consider our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation wait in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” Romans 8:12-21
The more time we spend in God’s presence, the more Kingdom-minded we will become and the more we will understand how to walk in God’s fullness and victory. God’s will is to not only bless us and give us abundant life, but to reach others and to bless others through us, therefore he will not only talk to us, but God will also give us gifts which will help to bring others into the Kingdom ( 1st Corinthians 12-15, Romans 12, Ephesians 4.)
Also, the more obedient we are, the more God can begin to trust us with his knowledge, secrets, and power. He cannot just give this to just anyone, but he will test us to see if we will be faithful and trustworthy carriers of his revelation and anointing. The more we prove ourselves faithful to him the more he will trust us with his gifts in increasingly powerful measures.
21″His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. ” Matthew 25: 14:21
13″Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 5Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1st Timothy 4: 13-16
Can I get a prophetic word from the Lord and if so how can I do this?
God can speak to anyone, and therefore, you could get a prophetic word from the Lord.
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions (Joel 2:28)
Honestly, there’s usually no work involved in this. When God uses you and gives you a prophetic word or revelation it usually happens instantly before you’ve had time to think about it too much while you are under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. It may instantly come out of your mouth and you will feel the visible presence of God on your body. You might be shaking and feel a strong urge to open your mouth. Often times God may only give you a word or phrase to begin with, but as you open your mouth in faith he will give you more. When this type of thing happens there will be no question in your mind that it is from God.
Sometimes words for others come the same way as you normally hear from the Lord. If it comes this way, be sure to test the word against the scripture of God to make sure it does not go against it. If you think you are getting a word, ask God for confirmation. Ask him who the word is for or who or what the word is about. Ask him if he wants you to give the word and if so when? Wait for his exact timing to release the word. He may have you hold on to it for awhile. That’s OK. Sometimes God makes you wait just to test you and train you.
Some people believe you can just ask God for a word and then give it to somebody. Although this may work some of the time, I believe this method creates more room for error and imagination. It is better to let God give you a word for somebody whenever he wants to.
Growing in this gift then is just a matter of being sensitive to God, practicing it, and maturing in it as you mature in your relationship to God.
Now, whether or not you are a prophet is a different matter. Read more about the prophetic word and the prophet here.
Some pointers in cultivating an atmosphere to hear the Lord:
1) Read the Bible as often as you can and meditate on what you read by thinking about it, what it means in your life, etc. (You don’t have to be legalistic about it, but daily would be good.)
2) Ask God for revelation as you read the scriptures.
3) Ask God to reveal himself , his nature, and his will to you.
4) Pray without ceasing. (1st Thessalonians 5: 17)
5) Have regular quiet moments-not just praying, but actually listening- so you can hear God if he speaks to you. Usually this is best done in a special place you create for just you and the Lord and sometimes at a special time.
6) Keep a journal where you can write your prayers to God, where you can sort through your life and your questions to God about your life, and where you can also write anything you feel God is saying to you. This is also a good place to keep track of answered prayers and of bible verses you come across which you feel speak to the issue or issues you are going through.
7) Surround yourself with other believers through church and fellowship. Spending time with Christian friends through home groups, bible studies, or other activities are a good idea.
8) Remember God is with you at all times, so talk to him as you go about your day and learn to be sensitive to the ways he might talk to you.
