How to hear from God

by Toyosi Adegunle

“Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”Then the Lord said to Samuel: “Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.” - excerpt from 1 Samuel 3: 1 - 10 (NKJV)

Hearing a still small or audible voice from God like how he spoke to Abraham, Moses, Samuel and others in the Old Testament is usually perceived as the only way God speaks to us and the only way we can hear from God. However, this will be a way for us to box God in His expressions. We know there are no limitations with God hence there are several ways He speaks to us that is not audible like you will see in human communication.

To hear from God is to first know that you are one with Him hence you're always in touch with Him. In your communion with God, you learn His ways and know His mind. This is an important part of your growth as a believer and it should be a lifestyle. It is important to note that God speaks to his children always. He speaks to you and as such should be able to listen always if you are patient and prepared enough. Before we look through the ways you can hear from God, here are a few things to take note of.

Things to know about hearing from God:

● It is important to always have your heart and spirit prepared and ready to hear from God. 

● It is important to understand that it might not be an audible voice. So, take away the pre-conceived notion (if you have it) that it might or always has to be audible.

● Get rid of mental, emotional and spiritual barriers in and around you.

● Be open to hearing from God in other ways different from what you’re used to

● Don’t be hard on yourself if you’re on a journey to figuring out how to hear from God.

Here are 3 ways to hear from God:

• Bible: The word of God counsels, instructs, guides and gives light to believers. It is filled with stories from/of people that have walked with and experienced God in one form or another. There is hardly any subject or topic that is not mentioned, highlighted, taught/talked about in the bible. It is one of the proven ways to hear from God and even test the truth and essence of things said to/about you. Directly or indirectly, God will not say anything to you that is contradicting what he has established in his word. It can be clarified, personalized but it definitely will not be different from what is stated in the scripture. Good knowledge of the word of God through studying and meditating cannot be overemphasized to avoid being tossed to and fro by doctrines that are not of God; be familiar with the values, words and mind of God on a lot of things, be able to tell when it is God speaking to you or the Devil cooking things up and inspiring you for the wrong things and be able to clear doubts and fear from your heart on key subjects and matters of concern.

Action Plan: Create a plan or routine that enables a consistent study of the word of God. This pretty much makes things a lot easier for you.

"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds" - Hebrews‬ ‭1:1-2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

• Conscience: Every Christian has at some point in their lives said: “something told me”. To date, I believe a lot of people still say it when describing how they hear from God. The still small voice is God speaking to you through your spirit and instinct and what you might call imagination. For a long time, I thought I was weird for imagining (more like seeing events in pictures) certain things, only for them to eventually happen sooner or later. I get this a lot and I have come to terms with it as one of the ways I hear from God. You can hear God’s voice in your spirit. Spend a good time alone with God to understand how he sounds and speaks to you. 

At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. John 14:20 (NKJV)

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God Romans 8:16 (NKJV)

Since you became born again, your spirit and God’s spirit has become one and you can hear the spirit of God speak to you through your conscience and imagination.

• Visions and Dreams: You can hear from God through visions and dreams. It is the promise of God to us to speak to us and have us hear from through visions and dreams. 

As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Daniel 1:17 (NKJV) 

6 Christians share how they hear from God:

"I hear from God through a pressing scripture in my heart, through dreams, and through an inner witness or knowing" - Folakemi 

"I hear from God when I read and study the Word of God Through and I also hear via the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches us everything and reveals the father's mind to us. He is with and in every believer. He nudges me and leads me on the way to go” -Wunmi

"When I started hearing God, it started off as dreams. I had dreams frequently and they come to pass. I was at some point in my family called ‘Joseph the Dreamer. Later on, I began to hear from God through the scriptures. I could be studying or praying and some verses would drop in my mind and I would search for it. It will then lead me to other Bible passages. It could also come via songs - a lyric would stand out to me and I would dwell on it and search for related passages in the Bible."- Lolade

"For me, I would say there's a knowing in my spirit and sometimes, the level of peace that comes with the knowing depending on what it's about. Also, during my devotion, I may come across certain verses that address whatever issue I'm facing then. I used to always want to hear a voice because I thought that was the only way God spoke but I've since learnt not to box God."- Funmi

"Through scriptures being brought alive in my heart/mind and hearing directly too in the same ways, we receive words for people. Also, through nudges and restraints from the Holy Spirit"- Z

"One of the ways I hear from God is via the word of God and this helps to strengthen my faith. That’s why the Bible says in the book of Romans 10:17 KJV “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. I hear from God via the inner witness which is the Holy Spirit. John 14:16-17 “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.”Another medium I hear from God is via dreams. I have been instructed by God on what to do via dreams and this is can be backed up by the scriptures in the book of Joel 2:28 NLT “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.” - Dami