We see an example of this in Paul’s missionary journey. In Acts 16:6, Paul and his companions were “forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.” Interestingly, the passage does not explicitly tell us how the Holy Spirit communicated this to them. We are simply told that the Holy Spirit prevented them from going.
Whatever means the Holy Spirit used, Paul and those travelling with him were able to recognise His direction and respond accordingly. This reminds us that the Holy Spirit’s leading may not always come in the form of an audible voice. God can make His direction known in different ways, and part of our walk with Him is learning to recognise the leading of His Spirit.
Whatever means the Holy Spirit used, Paul and those travelling with him were able to recognise His direction and respond accordingly. This reminds us that the Holy Spirit’s leading may not always come in the form of an audible voice. God can make His direction known in different ways, and part of our walk with Him is learning to recognise the leading of His Spirit.
God may sometimes speak to us through other people. There have been times when I’ve been having a conversation with someone who, without knowing it, begins speaking about something I have been praying about or thinking through. They may share a small nugget of wisdom, encouragement, or insight, and in that moment, I sense that God is using that person to speak to me.
At other times, someone may feel inspired by the Holy Spirit to share a prophetic word. In 1 Corinthians 14:3, Paul explains that prophecy is given for “strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” God can use the words of others to bring encouragement, confirmation, wisdom, or direction into our lives.
It does not always have to happen in what we might consider a particularly “spiritual” moment. Sometimes it can happen in the middle of an ordinary, casual conversation, where something is said that speaks directly to what is happening in our lives.
Intimacy with God is key to hearing and recognising His voice. It is very difficult to recognise someone’s voice if you do not spend time with them, and the same principle applies to our relationship with God.
Think about your spouse, your sibling, your mother, or even a work colleague. You can often recognise their voice without seeing them because you have spent time with them. You have become familiar with how they speak, the words they use, their tone, and even the way they communicate.
In the same way, spending time with God helps us become familiar with His voice. Whether through His Word, prayer, worship, or simply spending time in His presence. The more we know Him, the better equipped we are to discern what is and what is not, His voice.
Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” There is something deeply relational about this verse. The sheep recognise the Shepherd’s voice because they know Him. Hearing God is not simply about receiving instructions from Him, it flows from having a relationship with Him.
Intimacy produces familiarity, and familiarity helps us recognise His voice.
My prayer is that we may know God more intimately, and in doing so, may we hear His voice clearer and clearer. Amen.
At other times, someone may feel inspired by the Holy Spirit to share a prophetic word. In 1 Corinthians 14:3, Paul explains that prophecy is given for “strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” God can use the words of others to bring encouragement, confirmation, wisdom, or direction into our lives.
It does not always have to happen in what we might consider a particularly “spiritual” moment. Sometimes it can happen in the middle of an ordinary, casual conversation, where something is said that speaks directly to what is happening in our lives.
Intimacy with God is key to hearing and recognising His voice. It is very difficult to recognise someone’s voice if you do not spend time with them, and the same principle applies to our relationship with God.
Think about your spouse, your sibling, your mother, or even a work colleague. You can often recognise their voice without seeing them because you have spent time with them. You have become familiar with how they speak, the words they use, their tone, and even the way they communicate.
In the same way, spending time with God helps us become familiar with His voice. Whether through His Word, prayer, worship, or simply spending time in His presence. The more we know Him, the better equipped we are to discern what is and what is not, His voice.
Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” There is something deeply relational about this verse. The sheep recognise the Shepherd’s voice because they know Him. Hearing God is not simply about receiving instructions from Him, it flows from having a relationship with Him.
Intimacy produces familiarity, and familiarity helps us recognise His voice.
My prayer is that we may know God more intimately, and in doing so, may we hear His voice clearer and clearer. Amen.