How can I know when God is speaking to me?

John 10:27“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

John 14:21, 25-26“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them. . . . I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”

The best way to be certain of God’s voice is to know God—which means having a relationship with him, obeying him, and reading his Word. God will never say anything to you that goes against his words in Scripture. If you don’t know God and the Bible, how can you recognize his voice?

Psalm 119:50Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.

Jeremiah 15:16“When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.”

Hebrews 4:12The word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Just as a piano is tuned against a standard tuning fork, so you become in tune with God only when you compare yourself against the standards for living found in the Bible. As God communicates to you through the Bible, you will begin to “hear” or discern just what he wants of you. As your “spiritual hearing” is enhanced, you will become a good listener and will be able to hear clearly when God calls you to a certain task that he has reserved just for you. Would God say you are a good listener?

John 14:26When the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

1 Corinthians 2:16“Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

When you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit helps you understand the mind of Christ. He gives you guidance, wisdom, and discernment that is not available to those who don’t love the Lord.