How To Hear God’s Voice and Why Many Christians Don’t

After being saved, one of the greatest treasures is to have an ability to hear and discern the voice of the Holy Spirit. At times, in our lives as we deal with day-to-day life, we will get these small words from the Lord. It is such a treasure to be able to hear and discern the Holy Spirit.

Before we talk about how to hear God’s voice, we need to acknowledge why so many Christians don’t believe He still speaks today. For some, it’s theological. For others, it’s deeply personal. Let me walk you through a few common reasons people struggle with this:

1. Theological Cessationism

Some were taught that God stopped speaking after the Bible was completed—that He only speaks through Scripture now, not personally. But Scripture itself doesn’t support that. Jesus said in Matthew 4:4 that man lives by every word that proceeds (not just proceeded) from God’s mouth. His voice is still active, present, and necessary.

2. Practical Disappointment

Others have prayed, listened, and heard… nothing. So they stopped expecting. Or maybe they stepped out thinking it was God and fell flat—now they’re hesitant to try again. But disappointment doesn’t mean God is silent—it often means we need to grow in discernment, trust, and patience.

3. Spiritual Abuse & Manipulation

Some have seen the phrase, “God told me” used misused by spiritual leaders to control, intimidate, or manipulate. Just because someone misused the concept of hearing God doesn’t mean God stopped speaking. It means we need maturity, Scripture, and accountability as we listen and speak on His behalf.

4. Fear of Getting It Wrong

Many believers are afraid of mistaking their own thoughts for God’s voice. They fear being deceived, so they stop seeking altogether. But remember: God is a Father, not a trickster. He’s patient with learners. The Spirit leads, teaches, and confirms.

5.  Doubt That God Speaks Personally

Some Christians believe God speaks to pastors, prophets, or “spiritual people”—but not to them. But Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice.” If you belong to Him, you can hear Him.

The Radio Is Still Broadcasting. Imagine someone saying, “I don’t think radio stations exist.” Why? Because their radio isn’t working. The problem isn’t the broadcaster—it’s the receiver. God is speaking. The question is: Are we tuned in? Are we close enough to hear?

“The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions…Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him…So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.” 1 Samuel 3:1, 7, 9

1. Knowing God’s voice is part of knowing God Himself.

In order for us to really know God, we must know his voice. We cannot have a relationship with our children or our partner or someone else if we never hear what they’re saying. 

Contrary to common beliefs that God stopped talking to people after the New Testament, God wants to talk to us. He wants to have a relationship with us and he wants us to know him. For that we need to learn to listen.

2. If you want to hear God’s voice, don’t tolerate what doesn’t please the Lord.

The lack of hearing God’s voice is not a coincidence, it is a consequence. There’s always a reason that we can’t hear the voice of God. It could be personal sin, or it could be that we are tolerating something that is not pleasing to the Lord.

Sin is like an ear infection in your soul—it blocks the still, small voice of God.

3. If you’re near the Holy Spirit, you’ll hear the Holy Spirit.

In order for us to hear God’s voice, we need to stay close to him. The closer we are to him the better we can hear his voice and are able to learn to discern it.

God doesn’t speak to the distant; he speaks to the devoted. If you’re not hearing the Spirit, the issue isn’t volume; it’s distance.

You can’t hear God clearly if you’ve already decided what you want Him to say. Share on X

God doesn’t speak to position; He speaks to purity and proximity.

Hearing God is like pairing with Bluetooth—you have to be in range and connected. God’s voice is like Wi-Fi. It’s always available, but you have to connect to access it.

4. If you want to hear God’s voice, obey the last thing He told you.

People who obey God’s voice seem to hear God more. Obedience magnifies the Word of God in our lives. Disobedience to the word of God, deafens the ability to hear from God more.

It is not hearing the Word of God that changes our lives, but obeying the Word of God that will transform them.

Why would He give you new instructions if you’ve ignored the last ones?

Obedience is the microphone that amplifies God’s voice. Share on X

5. Don’t dismiss God’s voice just because it sounds familiar

The voice of God often sounds like your own thoughts, but wiser, purer, and gentler.

• God’s voice calms; the devil’s voice obsesses
• God’s voice comforts; the devil’s voice worries
• God’s voice convicts; the devil’s voice condemns
• God’s voice encourages; the devil’s voice discourages
• God’s voice enlightens; the devil’s voice confuses
• God’s voice leads; the devil’s voice pushes
• God’s voice reassures; the devil’s voice frightens
• God’s voice stills; the devil’s voice rushes

6. You can’t hear God clearly if you’ve already decided what you want Him to say

If we ask God to speak to us, we must be open to receive what He says, even if he might tell us something that we don’t like to hear. We cannot have an made up mind about something and than ask of God’s opinion.

If we want God to speak to us, we need to listen, discern and obey.

Watch The Full Sermon Here: