There is a big difference between “hearing voices” and having God speak. People can hear any old kind of crazy voice in their heads. But when God speaks, it is an inner voice within the human spirit, not the head. It is steady, calm and with authority. God’s voice doesn’t plead, or beg, or whine or condemn. God simply speaks. His voice is self-authenticating and carries with it the inclination to obey. The “content” of God’s voice is always consistent with Scripture.
From the beginning of the Bible to the end, we see a picture of a God who speaks — preeminently through Jesus Christ. This is one reason why in the Gospel of John, Jesus is called the “Word of God.” For centuries, the great saints of the Church have also claimed to have interacted with the voice of God.
Granted, there have been and are disturbed people who obey the “voices” in the head, sometimes claiming it was God or the Devil or whoever. But the counterfeit does not nullify the genuine!
Biblical example of discerning the voice of God
The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.
One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel.
Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 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.
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.”
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
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. 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.
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Samuel 3:1-10
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Hearing God’s Voice on the Inside
After many years of learning to recognize when God is speaking to me (and after many mistakes, as well, believe me) I have learned some things about recognizing the voice of God that might be helpful. Surely others have their own list. But this is mine.
- An opening of my spirit (our spirit is in the midst of our body, not our head) as I read and ponder Scripture.
- Inarticulate groaning within can be both my prayer AND God’s voice.
- Yearning and tears of compassion to help others.
- An image in my mind’s eye.
- A sudden inner drawing and pause that moves me to stop and listen.
- An idea that comes vividly and with certainty.
- A quickening within. Something just jumps on the inside.
- An inner check or hesitation or lack of peace.
- Ideas that come up repeatedly over days, weeks, or longer.
- Eager and loving desire to do something good and helpful.
- The inner voice rises first in my spirit, then moves to my mind.
Characteristics of the Inner Voice of God:
- Brief, steady, calm, strong, measured, verbal content with authority.
- This is NOT “voices in your head.” There are all kinds of crazy voices some people hear in their head. But the counterfeit does not nullify the genuine.
- Not panicked, rushed, silly, contemptuous, or contrary to Scripture principles.
- I find God often responds to questions asked.
