“Listen, My Children”

Sixteen ways God speaks: 1. Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

a. As you read or meditate on a verse/passage, a word or phrase is highlighted to you by the Holy Spirit.

b. A verse/passage is given to you by a person of proven character who is directed by the Holy Spirit to share it with you.

c. As you are seeking the Lord’s direction, a specific reference (chapter/verse) from the Bible comes to mind.

d. A verse/passage that you come across in literature you’re reading, or on a sign or billboard, is quickened to you to the Holy Spirit.

e. A scripture verse or phrase you have memorized comes strongly or repeatedly to mind. 2. Teachers/preachers/church leaders (Heb 13:7; 2 Tim. 1:13-14; Rom. 12:6-7; 1 Pet. 4:10-11). 3. Visions (Acts 2:17; 9:10; 10:3, Book of Revelation). 4. Dreams (Matt. 2:12; Acts 2:17; 16:9-10; 18:9). 5. Angels (John 20:12-13; Acts 10:22; 12:7; Hebrews 1:14, many times around Christ’s birth, Book of

Revelation). 6. Creation – weather, stars, rainbow, animals (Ps. 19:1-4; Matt. 2:2,9-10; Acts 2:9; Luke 21:25; Prov.

6:6-8: Job chapters 38-39). 7. Supernatural signs (examples in Scripture: handwriting on wall, Gideon’s fleece, casting lots, Urim

and Thummim of high priest). 8. Circumstances (Psalm 37:23; Prov. 16:9; Romans 8:28).

a. Positive or negative. b. Be careful to not presume, don’t let circumstances dictate.

9. Inner voice, conversation in your inner man with the Holy Spirit. a. “My sheep hear my voice.” – John 10:27 b. The Holy Spirit resides within you (John 14:17,26; 1 John 2:27; 1 Cor. 3:16-19; 6:19) c. Journaling during prayer and meditation can release this more (Hab. 2:2-3).

10. The audible voice of God. (1 Kings 19:11-13; Matt. 3:17; John 12:28-30). 11. Holy Spirit’s gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 12:10; 14:3,24-25,31; 1 Tim. 1:18). 12. Holy Spirit’s gift of word of wisdom (1 Cor. 12:8). 13. Holy Spirit’s gift of word of knowledge (1 Cor. 12:8). 14. Anointed song or poem (Col 3:16; Zeph. 3:17; Book of Psalms). 15. Someone’s testimony – of salvation, healing, deliverance, blessing. (John 4:39; Rev. 12:11) 16. Impressions, intuitions

a. A peace within (Col. 3:15; Rom. 8:6; Phil. 4:7). b. Conviction of sin or of error (2 Sam. 24:10). c. Promptings or nudges to action (Acts 13:2). d. Restraining or constraining impressions, uneasiness (Acts 16:6-7). e. This can be operation of the Holy Spirit’s gift of discerning of spirits (1 Cor. 12:10).

Preparation to hear God speak:

1. Humility (Ps. 25:9; James 4:10). 2. Faith (Heb. 11:6; James 1:6-8). 3. A clean heart (Ps. 66:18; Prov. 28:13). 4. A yielded will (Luke 22:42; Heb. 3:15). 5. Readiness to obey (James 1:22; 1 Sam. 15:22; John 14:15). 6. A willingness to wait (John 15:4-7; Is. 40:31; Mic. 7:7). 7. Alertness to rule out the other 2 “voices.”

a. Human voice – your own (Prov. 3:5-7; 28:26; Is. 55:8-9), or someone else (Job 42:7; 1 John 4:1; 2 Pet. 2:1).

b. False (satanic, demonic) voice (2 Cor. 10:4-5; Eph. 6:12-13). Adapted from the book Forever Ruined for the Ordinary: The Adventure of Hearing and Obeying God’s Voice

by Joy Dawson