I have never heard God’s audible voice. However, many times I have had deep impressions from God in my spirit. Thoughts have come into my mind I can’t explain any way other than being from God. I won’t call them “A Word from God” because for me that sounds too much like what took place when men wrote the Scriptures by The Spirit’s inspiration. Still, there is no doubt in my mind that “His Spirit bears witness with (my) spirit” in an unmistakable way. I call that hearing God…
Hearing God is not just for the super spiritual nor ministers of the Gospel. Every believer is able to “hear God.” Hearing God is as simple as reading the Bible. The Christian Scriptures ARE words from God written for everyone to read. But reading Scripture isn’t the only way to “hear God.”
When I read Scripture… pray… talk with other believers… listen to certain preachers… or exercise, those are times I “hear God” as “His Spirit bears witness with my spirit.” However, it is imperative that I be wise and discerning because not every spirit is from God. Yes, Satan whispers lies which can be confused with God’s genuine word. Thus it is written in 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
Satan, demons, and their pawns are able to masquerade as speaking for God. They uses Scripture and Bible sounding words to ensnare to feeble-minded. Therefore it is necessary to “test everything and hold on to the good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Most often I hear God when I turn my heart toward Him and listen for Him. I hear God best when all competition for my auditory senses are removed (People, TV, Cell phone, Radio, etc). I hear God best when I follow the instruction of Ps 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.”
If you want to hear God, listen. He is NEVER silent. He is ALWAYS speaking. The question is a willingness to hear what God IS saying…