How to Get Better at Hearing God’s Voice

We all know that God speaks though the Holy Spirit, but how do you get better at hearing God’s voice?

Key points:

How do I hear his voice more clearly and easily?

Our starting point is to understand that hearing God’s voice happens in the context of relationship. In church life, we often talk about having a personal relationship with God. This means, there’s two parties involved. God listens to us as we pray and we listen to God as the Spirit speaks. As we do, we get to know God.

This is how the apostle John describes our life in God …this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John, John 17:3)

God listens to us as we pray and we listen to God as the Spirit speaks. As we do, we get to know God.

It’s important to remind ourselves that knowing God is a real relationship. It’s not a formula or a set of rules. It’s not a system of belief or a slot machine where you follow three steps and voila! Hearing God has the dynamic of a real relationship. So, when we ask what is the key to hearing God – it’s like asking the question, what is the key to a successful friendship or the key to a successful marriage?

In the library of Scripture, our relationship to God is described in a variety of ways. Metaphors are used to highlight different aspects of the relationship.

So, you’ve got the metaphor of a king and his subject – where the king gives instruction and the servant submits to it.

“On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” (Revelation 19:16)

When we ask what is the key to hearing God – it’s like asking the question, what is the key to a successful friendship or the key to a successful marriage?

There’s a metaphor of a shepherd and the sheep – where the sheep are guided by the shepherd and the sheep follow.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me… My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (Jesus, John 10:14,27)

Or there’s the metaphor of a parent and the child – where the parent provides for the child’s needs and the child receives provision.

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Jesus, Matthew 7:11)

Or the metaphor of a bride and groom – where the relationship is exclusive and involves sharing of the deepest thoughts of our heart.

Listen to this episode of Everyday God Conversations in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.

As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. (Isaiah 62:5, NKJV)

And finally, the metaphor of a friendship – where the relationship involves complete honesty and sharing of hopes and dreams.

“I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (Jesus, John 15:15b)

All these metaphors help us understand God’s heart for relationship with us. Ask God to show you what type of relationship you have with God. What metaphor do you relate to the most? God as king, shepherd, parent, bridegroom, or friend? Seeing the big picture of how we relate to God helps us to position our hearts to hear more clearly.

Now consider how you can grow your relationship with God – in the same way as for a human relationship – perhaps a friend, a sibling, or a spouse. What can you do to build aspects of your relationship? Perhaps to share more openly – as a friend. To trust more as a bride. To be guided more as a sheep. To follow God’s instructions as a servant. to trust God’s provision as a child. All these perspectives will help position your heart to hear God more clearly. As you do, you’ll get to know God more.

Listen to this episode of Everyday God Conversations in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.

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