Can human beings hear an audible voice of God? This phrase may imply to a reader or casual observer that Christians are Jesus followers walking around with a super natural ability. Obviously no theologian argues against hearing from God (it clearly emerges in scripture), but care should be taken in using the phrase, “the voice of God.”
Start with this simple idea
Consider the meaning of the message behind the phrase, “voice of God.” Remember that people of faith believe God wants to communicate us, and is indeed is constantly conveying a message to us. For many, a readily accessible “general revelation” of God comes through nature. And non-believers express feelings of divinity, holiness and connectedness with a bigger entity than themselves through beautiful non human-constructed settings. You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Being outside is my church.”
Christians profess something more – specific revelation to human beings of God’s divine presence. One of the names of God, Immanuel, translates, “God-with-us. We believe God nurtures an ongoing relationship for daily living.
Consider for a moment a less literal understanding of “hearing” to more broadly encompass God’s commitment to communicate with us. God wants us to know Himself and also follow His directions for living that glorifies Him, not us. It’s worth pausing to in no way negate the possibility of an audible, other-worldly voice experience. Scripture is full of supernatural encounters, and I know people who claim this experience.
Even accounting for those experiences, believing they can and will occur, they are few and far between. Obviously, it is not feasible for us to wait around for special manifestations to follow the Lord’s guidance. We’d be sitting around quite a bit, guessing in faith, and wondering if our decisions are in some way obedient to “what God is saying.”
God’s Revelation in Scripture
The classic position of faith flows from the belief that God “reveals” Himself to us through Scripture. The Old and New Testaments are where we “hear” the voice of God as inspired stories, testimonies, and teachings through saints. And so: pastors and disciple-makers make a big deal about reading the Bible.
There is a faithful theological answer to the question, “Can you hear the voice of God?” It would be proper for any believer to respond, “Yes, I read the Bible daily.”
Pastor Bryan Stamper
When you read scripture, you accept an appointment with God to discern Holy Spirit direction for your life. In a complementary way, praying accomplishes the same thing only without the specific words provided to us in writing. Read the Bible and know: you are listening to what God says to you and you are being transformed.
Suggestions for Discerning God’s message
- Follow a reading plan that covers all of scripture. A reading plan will be consistent and it will follow some designated selection of passages. Avoid flopping open the Bible to random pages as your primary means of reading the Bible. The bible is not “chicken soup for the soul,” but rather a narrative of salvation that conveys a broad overview of God’s saving work throughout history. If you’ve never tried The Bible in 90 days, it’s well worth a preview. The process radically changed my understanding of scripture and how God communicates with us throughout history. Learn more about it HERE.
- Read scripture prayerfully with “eyes of faith.” Remember, you are completely dependent upon God for both salvation and also understanding of what is communicated through Scripture. It is very appropriate to follow thoughts that flow from reading the Bible that are not directly related to scripture. Read with an openness that God would communicate, and is communicating, with you as you read His guidance for faith and life in the Bible.
- Study scripture with other believers. Closely related to #2, this is where we find ACCOUNTABILITY from other followers of Jesus. They are more likely to keep us from bizarre behavior if they, too, are grounded in scripture. The notion of “bad advice” is often discerned by people who take a broader look at our lives to discern appropriate behavior. This is how we witness people doing really terrible “un-Christian” things, they have not followed Scripture or even answered to a group of believers for their choices. Let us remember the words of Jesus who teaches us to forgive those who have wronged us, to relinquish some of our choices to His Lordship of our lives, and to always “follow” Him.
- Acquire a reputable study Bible. My professors recommend the Harper Collins NRSV Study Bible. My Bible versions of choice are The NRSV, The NIV, and The Message. There is probably enough to write an entire article on Bible versions, for now start with those and do your research about other versions. For free access to online versions of these and other Bible versions, try https://www.biblegateway.com/
- Ask questions without shame. Even a simple reading of scripture invites questions of faith. You should ask them and you should seek answers that lead to the next set of questions. “Is creation in the Bible contradictory to science?” “Do I have to accept the story of Adam and Eve literally?” Ask, seek understanding, and believe Holy Spirit gives wisdom for living that glorifies God.
A starting point to hear the voice of God
You can not faithfully, on a daily basis, follow the wisdom and guidance of Jesus without the Bible as a reference point. And you are dependent upon God as Holy Spirit for understanding. Rest assured, you can hear the voice of God through the Word made known in the Bible.
Keep reading scripture. Keep seeking understanding. And keep believing in the One revealed to us.
“So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.”
Romans 10:17
A related article – Does the Bible have errors in it?
Answers to common faith-based questions – Ask Pastor Bryan VIDEOS