Struggling to know if you're truly hearing from God? Learn practical ways to tune in, silence distractions, and confidently recognize His voice in your daily life.
I was reading in Isaiah 55 this morning and the issue of hearing God speak was something I picked up on. I have struggled with this concept most of my life - with varying degrees of 'success'. I then saw your email after my devtions and read it - thank you so much for your encouragement and instruction. WHile I have read a book on the subject, I appreciated your practical, biblically based approach.
Pastor Chris, the spiritual and the practical are both well-represented here and I am grateful for this wonderful reminder. God is always speaking and where I may not be able to see His hand; I can trust His heart and faithfulness in the word to lead me to destiny🙏🏾
I've started to actively listen to what God speaks to me this past year and looking back so much has changed through that. You're correct it starts with surrender and whilst getting to know His voice more clearly more surrender follows. For a long time I didn't really want to listen because I was scared that I wouldn't be able to obey what He would say, but once I surrendered that fear I was able to hear Him and to get to know Him more intimately.
An excellent piece Chris!! I have not seen many articles on this subject but I feel that you have done a great work in a concise manner that really helps people understand! Thank you for the work He has called you to!!
Amen, Seth! It’s easy to listen for what we want to hear. We have to listen to hear all that God is speaking. He disciplines those He loves. It’s not always pretty, but I’d rather receive correction from my Heavenly Father than the conciquences of a life lived in opposition to Him.
Great review, for me it’s all about putting myself in the right place to hear and respond. I attended a 3-day silent retreat last week, which was truly eye opening regarding how much more you will hear with the noise turned down!
Thanks for sharing that! A 3-day silent retreat sounds incredible—what a powerful way to truly quiet the noise and tune in to God’s voice. I love how you mentioned putting yourself in the right place to hear and respond. That intentionality is key, isn’t it? It’s amazing how much clearer God’s voice becomes when we create that space. Sounds like it was an eye-opening experience!
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. You’re absolutely right, and the verses from Proverbs 2:1-5 perfectly capture the idea that hearing from God is an active pursuit. I think that’s an important point to emphasize.
While my intention in the article was to encourage people to start by quieting themselves and making space to hear God, you're correct that it doesn’t stop there. It does take effort, discipline, and intentional seeking, just as you’ve pointed out. God invites us to dig deeper into His wisdom and to actively pursue His truth like a hidden treasure.
It’s a balance, isn't it?
While we wait on God, we’re also called to lean in, to be persistent in seeking understanding, and to grow in our knowledge of Him. Let’s keep encouraging each other in that pursuit.
Indeed, we can't rush God, but he expects us to be enthusiastic with all our effort:
and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment.
Thank you Pastor Chris for this encouraging practical guide. I’ve been waiting and allowing God’s voice and timing to show and give me answers to plans I’ve made and daily I can see how He is answering me. Through other people, new doors opening, some closing, He is in control and I fully depend on Him to lead me to His will for my life.
I was reading in Isaiah 55 this morning and the issue of hearing God speak was something I picked up on. I have struggled with this concept most of my life - with varying degrees of 'success'. I then saw your email after my devtions and read it - thank you so much for your encouragement and instruction. WHile I have read a book on the subject, I appreciated your practical, biblically based approach.
Hi Al. It's amazing how God works in the background. He knows what we need. I'm glad this article spoke to you. 😊
Pastor Chris, the spiritual and the practical are both well-represented here and I am grateful for this wonderful reminder. God is always speaking and where I may not be able to see His hand; I can trust His heart and faithfulness in the word to lead me to destiny🙏🏾
I've started to actively listen to what God speaks to me this past year and looking back so much has changed through that. You're correct it starts with surrender and whilst getting to know His voice more clearly more surrender follows. For a long time I didn't really want to listen because I was scared that I wouldn't be able to obey what He would say, but once I surrendered that fear I was able to hear Him and to get to know Him more intimately.
I love that, Debby! Fear of what God might ask you to do is real. Complete surrender involves our need to control the outcome.
“And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.””
1 Samuel 3:10 ESV
I am like Samuel I have never heard God call my name. But when I preach His gospel I know He speaks through me.
Amen!
An excellent piece Chris!! I have not seen many articles on this subject but I feel that you have done a great work in a concise manner that really helps people understand! Thank you for the work He has called you to!!
You're very welcome, Al. Thank you for reading.
Wow! Thank God for this writing. Thanks Pastor Chris. You really gave a detailed teaching on listening to His Voice.
Many people pluck words from everywhere and as long as their thoughts are aligned to what they want to hear, they follow.
Of course our thoughts usually appear according to our desires!
May God's Wisdom and Discernment be in all who truly believes in Him.
Amen, Seth! It’s easy to listen for what we want to hear. We have to listen to hear all that God is speaking. He disciplines those He loves. It’s not always pretty, but I’d rather receive correction from my Heavenly Father than the conciquences of a life lived in opposition to Him.
Great review, for me it’s all about putting myself in the right place to hear and respond. I attended a 3-day silent retreat last week, which was truly eye opening regarding how much more you will hear with the noise turned down!
Thanks for sharing that! A 3-day silent retreat sounds incredible—what a powerful way to truly quiet the noise and tune in to God’s voice. I love how you mentioned putting yourself in the right place to hear and respond. That intentionality is key, isn’t it? It’s amazing how much clearer God’s voice becomes when we create that space. Sounds like it was an eye-opening experience!
Great summary Chris, but I think that it is a bit more of an effort than what you have implied.
We are not to just wait on God, and read his word, for his word tells us:
My son, if you accept my words,
and treasure my instructions—
making your ear attentive to wisdom,
and turning your heart to understanding—
if, indeed, you call out for insight and
raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
and search for it like hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD and learn to know God.
(Prov 2:1-5)
God expects us to put in a lot of effort.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. You’re absolutely right, and the verses from Proverbs 2:1-5 perfectly capture the idea that hearing from God is an active pursuit. I think that’s an important point to emphasize.
While my intention in the article was to encourage people to start by quieting themselves and making space to hear God, you're correct that it doesn’t stop there. It does take effort, discipline, and intentional seeking, just as you’ve pointed out. God invites us to dig deeper into His wisdom and to actively pursue His truth like a hidden treasure.
It’s a balance, isn't it?
While we wait on God, we’re also called to lean in, to be persistent in seeking understanding, and to grow in our knowledge of Him. Let’s keep encouraging each other in that pursuit.
Indeed, we can't rush God, but he expects us to be enthusiastic with all our effort:
and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment.
(Mark 12:30)
Thank you Pastor Chris for this encouraging practical guide. I’ve been waiting and allowing God’s voice and timing to show and give me answers to plans I’ve made and daily I can see how He is answering me. Through other people, new doors opening, some closing, He is in control and I fully depend on Him to lead me to His will for my life.
You're so welcome, Beverly. God is at work in our midst. 😊