In last week’s blog, I asked the question: Who are we listening to? And that question naturally leads to another one: How do we actually hear God’s voice? Because if we’re going to be people who follow His voice, we need to know how to recognize it.
In John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” That’s a powerful promise—but it can also feel a little intimidating if we’re honest. Because most of us who have stepped out in faith have wondered, “Am I really hearing God… or are these just my own thoughts?”
And one thing I think we need to understand is that God is not trying to hide His voice from us. He’s not distant or silent, waiting for us to figure it all out on our own. He is a good Father who desires to speak to His children. So, the question isn’t if God is speaking… it’s whether we’re learning how to recognize His voice.
And I think one of the primary ways we do that is through His Word. God will never speak in a way that contradicts what He has already revealed in Scripture. So the more time we spend in His Word, the more familiar we become with His heart, His character, and His voice.
It’s similar to how we recognize someone we’re close to. If a close friend calls us, they don’t need to introduce themselves—we know their voice because we’ve spent time with them. The same is true with God. Familiarity comes through relationship.
Another way we learn to recognize His voice is by paying attention to what His voice sounds like. God’s voice brings peace—even when it challenges us.
It leads us toward truth, not confusion. It draws us closer to Him, not further away.
And hearing God’s voice is sometimes about stepping away from the other noises. We live in a loud world, full of constant input, constant distraction, and constant opinions. But often, God speaks in the quiet. Which means we have to be intentional about taking time to turn down the noise and actually listen for His voice.
And here’s something I want to encourage us with—Hearing God’s voice is not something we master overnight, it’s actually something we grow in and develop over time and with practice.
There will be moments where we’re unsure. Moments where we’re learning.
Moments where we look back and realize, God was leading us there all along. That’s part of the journey.
Jesus didn’t just say, “My sheep hear my voice.” He also said, “I know them.” This points to an intimate relationship with Him. He knows us. He’s with us. And He’s faithful to lead us.
So maybe the first step we need to take in hearing His voice is seeking to know Him more intimately. Get away from the noise. Open His Word. Spend time in His presence. And trust that we will begin to recognize His voice more clearly as we draw near to Him.
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