What does the Bible say

What Does the Bible Say About Hearing God's Voice?

The Bible teaches that God speaks to his people, chiefly and reliably through his written Word, and that his sheep learn to know his voice. It shows God guiding through Scripture, his Spirit, wise counsel, and peace, and it calls us to test everything by the Bible, since God never contradicts what he has said.

What Scripture says

Here are real verses on hearing God's Voice, each in the King James Version, with a word on what it means.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:John 10:27 (KJV)

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for instruction.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.Psalm 119:105 (KJV)

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.Isaiah 30:21 (KJV)

Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it.

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.John 16:13 (KJV)

When the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth.

And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.1 Kings 19:12 (KJV)

God came to Elijah not in wind or fire but in a still small voice.

What this means for you today

God's clearest and safest voice is his written Word, which never fails and never misleads. Learning to hear him begins with soaking in Scripture until his ways and heart become familiar to us.

God also guides through his Spirit, godly counsel, circumstances, and inner peace, but all of these are tested by the Bible, since he never contradicts himself. As we walk with him, like sheep with a shepherd, we grow more able to recognise his voice.

The deepest answer is Jesus

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, still speaks to his sheep and leads them, and the more we know him the more clearly we recognise his voice.

Every one of these Scriptures points beyond itself to a Person. The deepest answer the Bible gives to any human need is not a rule or a technique but Jesus Christ, who came, lived, died, and rose again so that you could be forgiven and brought home to God. He said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Whatever you are carrying, you do not have to carry it alone, and you do not have to make yourself clean first. You can come to him today, just as you are.

This is the good news the whole Bible is telling. We were made for God, we have all turned from him and gone our own way, and none of us can fix that on our own. But God did not leave us there. Out of love he sent his Son to take our place, bearing our wrong on the cross and rising again to open the way back to the Father. Everyone who turns to Jesus and trusts him is forgiven, given new life, and welcomed as a beloved child of God, held by a love that will never let go. That is why the Bible's answer to every topic on this page finally leads here. You can respond right now, in your own words, simply telling God you need him and asking Jesus to be your Saviour and Lord. He hears the honest prayer of anyone who comes.

Related: God's Will · God's Timing · Spiritual Growth · Assurance of Salvation · The Fear of God · All topics