A reader sent me this question: I really want to follow Christ but at times I become anxious searching for God’s Spirit within me. How can I hear God’s voice and know that He is clearly speaking to me?
Knowing God’s voice, I think, comes from abiding in Christ, as we see in John 15. A vital part of that is His Word abiding in us. Our confession of sin is also vital. The wisdom and input of others—not just any others but very godly others—is certainly helpful. But in the end, there is a supernatural aspect to following God’s leading that’s more than knowing what the Bible says and listening to others.
It’s hard to put it in words, but sometimes I sense a definite prompting from God—call it the still small voice or whatever. Often, I’m prompted to pray for someone, speak to someone about the Lord, or to give them a book, and not just a book but one particular book. I remember years ago I was playing tennis with a non-Christian guy I’d never met. At the time, my default giveaway book to nonbelievers was Grace and Truth Paradox, but for some reason I really felt led to give him Lord Foulgrin’s Letters. I called him the next day to see if we could play again and he said, “I read that whole novel you gave me; it was very interesting.” I have no doubt God was speaking to me to give him that particular book.
I usually avoid the words “God told me to...” or especially, “God said to me, ‘Give him Lord Foulgrin’s Letters.’” Yet essentially, I do believe that’s true. I avoid saying it that way because for me, it’s never been an audible voice, and because there is a danger in thinking that everything that comes into your mind is a word from the Lord. But sometimes it seems just as objectively real even though it’s not audible. Of course, that’s my subjective sense, but I am virtually certain of God’s leading in some of these things even that are not directly stated in Scripture (but certainly honor it).
In many ways, I think God’s voice has become clearer to me as the years have gone on. Maybe I’ve been around long enough now to evaluate the difference between a thought or idea popping into my mind, and something really coming from the Lord. Of course, much of life does function on the basis of principles, wisdom, and counsel. We don’t need an objective voice from God to know we should help the needy and share the Gospel!
I do have a greater sense than ever of God’s providence in arranging the people who come across my path. For example, when I was helping coach tennis, I got a call about a young guy on the team, who was really struggling. I called him and spent three hours with him, mostly playing tennis, but building a relationship, and talking quite a bit afterward. I felt God directing me to call him, to say certain things, to pray for him, etc. I have no doubt of God’s voice and direction in this. On the other hand, when I came home, the Olympics came on, and I watched them for forty minutes. It wasn’t a matter of feeling God’s leading. It was a discretionary choice. I didn’t have to hear God’s voice to figure out what I should do.
Now that doesn’t mean that God’s Spirit doesn’t lead in such trivial things, but I can say that I don’t sense God’s voice in every detail of my life (nor do I need to!). But most days I have a number of things—small and large—in which I do think I’ve heard His voice in the sense I’m talking about.
I encourage anyone seeking to follow the Lord’s leading to relax and be patient, and let God develop your sense of His voice and direction more as the years go on. As long as you abide in Him and stay rooted in His Word, I believe you’ll find a greater sense of assurance of God’s leading and speaking in your life.
