Does God Speak to us today?

Does God speak to us today? You have heard phrases like this before, “God laid it on my heart,” “God said to me,” “God spoke to my spirit,” or “I saw a word appear in my breakfast cereal, and I knew it was a message from God.” Does God really speak to people in these ways today? Some people do experience a feeling in their hearts while they pray, or they even hear words in their hearts. But who is speaking?

I am Dan Fenco, and I am here to support and encourage you in your faith walk with God. Today, we will talk about how to discern if God is speaking to you today.

We all want to hear God’s voice speaking to us and telling us exactly what we should do with our lives, what decisions we should make, and what steps we need to take to have a good life. We all have this desire. Here are four steps to help us know if God is speaking to us.

1. If you don’t hear any voice when you pray, don’t worry; nothing is wrong.

In many passages in the Bible, God, the creator of heaven and earth, encourages us to “listen to his voice.” “Listen to my voice, and do all that I command you. So shall you be my people, and I will be your God” Jer. 11:4. Jesus said, “16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” When the Scriptures say we must listen to God’s voice, this means listening to God’s Word being preached and listening to what the prophets and apostles have written in Scripture.

2. It could be that it is a different voice.

It could be angels, your own heart, or even demons. The Prophets and Disciples could be sure they heard God and Jesus speaking. If you or someone says, “I hear the voice of God in my heart,” consider what Scripture says also comes from our hearts: “Out of the heart come evil thoughts” (Matt. 15:19). Indeed, these feelings and messages in our heart vary from day to day and even hour to hour. It is a miserably uncertain thing! Can the voice in our hearts be a good thing? Indeed, it can if it leads us into Scripture and brings us closer to the Church, where God’s message is spoken with all certainty.

But can it also be a bad thing? Sadly, yes. Some people value the voice in their hearts more than God’s specific message in Scripture. Other people think the voice in their heart is equal to Scripture and must be obeyed. And still others torment themselves trying to find out what God’s will for their life is. There is no need to live with such guilt and uncertainty. If God wants to make us sure of His will, He has written it in Scripture. If it is not in Scripture and does not go against our duties (our vocations), then we have the freedom not to listen.

3. God’s voice always aligns with what is in the Scriptures.

This is the most important thing to understand. If you feel that God is speaking to you or someone says to you, “I have a word from God for you,” your way to know if this is God speaking is to align it with the Word of God. In other words, whatever God is saying to you should already be in the Bible. If it’s not, then it is not the Word of God – as simple as that. Yes, God spoke to the prophets and apostles, but now God speaks through Jesus, and Jesus’ Words are written in the Bible.

4. Jesus’ words are written in the Scriptures.

The book of Hebrews says, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (1:1-2). And the Words of Jesus are in the Bible. If you want to hear the Word of God, then you need to read the Bible. This is something that I see often today. Many people want to hear the Word of God and want guidance, but they don’t want to do the work of reading the Bible. Often, we choose the easy way and listen to people who say they have the Word of God for us rather than listening to God in the Scriptures. I understand it is hard to know where to start reading the Bible. If you have never read the Bible, start with the Gospel of Mark. Find a church, a pastor, or a leader who can walk along with you as you read. Read the Bible in a group – like a Bible study group. That is an excellent way to understand the Bible. I encourage you to hear what God has to say in the Scriptures. Once you do that, you will truly know what God has in mind for you. Here are some words of Jesus for you:

“I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matt 28:20

“[Jesus said] I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25-26

Friends, I understand that sometimes we want Jesus to help us with something we struggle with. Sometimes, I want Him to help me make a good decision. Take comfort in this: Jesus promised to be with us all the days of our lives, which means He is with us always. He speaks to us through His Word and desires for us to know Him better through His Word in the Scriptures. Read the Bible, listen to the Word proclaimed, and listen to what God says to you.

Will you add another tip to the four that I presented here? If so, put it in the comments. Love God, Love your neighbors, Go to Church, and do good for others. See you next time.