This is a question many Christians ask. Throughout the Bible, we see numerous examples of God speaking audibly and directly to people. He spoke to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8-19), to Noah giving him instructions about building the ark (Genesis 6:13-21), and to Abraham telling him to sacrifice his son Isaac (Genesis 22:1-2). God spoke to Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:4-15) and gave him the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:17-20:21). In the New Testament, God spoke from heaven at Jesus’ baptism saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). So if God spoke so frequently and clearly to people in the past, does He still speak to people today?
The simple answer is yes, God still speaks to people today, but the ways He speaks may be different than what we see described in the Bible. Here are some key biblical principles to understand about how God speaks to people today:
1. God speaks primarily through the Bible
The Bible teaches that it is the primary way God speaks to His people today. Hebrews 1:1-2 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.” This indicates that the revelation through Jesus Christ and His apostles, recorded in Scripture, is God’s final and climactic word. We no longer should expect ongoing revelation through prophets and special messengers.
2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” The Bible is inspired by God and reflects His very words and message to mankind. As we prayerfully read, study, and meditate on Scripture, we can hear God speak through His authoritative, divine voice.
Some key verses about the importance of Scripture include:
- Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
- 2 Peter 1:19 – “We have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place.”
- Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.”
So while God may speak in other ways, any revelation we believe we have received should be tested against Scripture to evaluate its accuracy (Isaiah 8:20).
2. God speaks through the Holy Spirit
Jesus promised His disciples that after His ascension, God would send the Holy Spirit who would teach them and guide them into all truth (John 14:25-26, John 16:13). God speaks through the inward prompting of the Holy Spirit who lives within every believer (Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 3:16).
Some key verses about the Holy Spirit’s work in believer’s lives include:
- John 16:8 – “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”
- Romans 8:14 – “All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
- Galatians 5:25 – “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit usually speaks in a quiet, still voice, prompting us through thoughts and ideas that come to mind. But these ideas will never contradict God’s Word because the Holy Spirit and the Word always agree.
3. God speaks through prayer
Prayer is an act of communication where we speak to God, but prayer should also involve times of listening. As we bring our needs, desires, and questions before God through prayer, He can respond and speak to us. Not usually in an audible voice, but through thoughts and impressions He gives during prayer.
Some key verses about prayer and hearing God include:
- Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
- John 10:27 – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
- 1 Kings 19:11-12 – God spoke to Elijah through a still small voice, not wind, earthquake or fire.
We serve a prayer-answering God who desires to commune with us. As we take time to listen in prayer, we can hear God’s voice through the assurance, wisdom, and direction He gives.
4. God can speak through dreams and visions
There are examples in the Bible where God spoke to people directly through dreams and visions, such as with Jacob (Genesis 28:12-15), Daniel (Daniel 2:19), Peter (Acts 10:9-16) and Paul (Acts 16:9-10). And God still speaks through dreams and visions today, though we need to carefully evaluate them against Scripture.
Some key verses about dreams and visions include:
- Job 33:14-16 – “For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds.”
- Joel 2:28 – “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.”
While God can choose to use a dream or vision to speak, these forms of communication seem to be more rare based on the example of Scripture. If we do receive some revelation through a dream, we must carefully evaluate if it lines up with the truth revealed in God’s Word.
5. God can speak through others
In addition to speaking directly to individuals, God can use other believers to communicate His words and truth to someone. For example, there are many cases in Acts where God spoke through prophets to share revelation and instruction with the church (Acts 11:27-28, Acts 21:10-11).
God may speak words of encouragement and guidance to us through our pastors who preach the Word of God to us each week. He can also use other mature believers and friends to provide biblical counsel and perspective to confirm His will for our lives.
1 Corinthians 14:3 says prophecy is given to “speak to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.” And Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” God uses relationships within the church to build us up and sharpen us in His will for our lives.
6. God speaks through circumstances
Though not always the case, God can sovereignly orchestrate events and circumstances in our lives to get His message across. In the Old Testament, God closed the door of the ark to show Noah it was time to depart (Genesis 7:16). And God used Paul’s imprisonment in Jerusalem to steer his ministry toward Rome (Acts 23:11).
For example, a missed flight, an unexpected phone call, or a new job offer can potentially be used by God to redirect us. We must be careful to evaluate circumstances in light of other forms of God’s guidance like the Bible and prayer. But God can speak through our life situations to confirm His will.
7. God’s speaking should align with His Word & character
Because there are many potential sources through which God can speak, it’s crucial that we evaluate any revelation against what Scripture plainly teaches. If an inner voice, dream, prophetic word, or circumstance goes directly against God’s Word, then we can know it’s not Him speaking. God will never contradict Himself.
In addition, the messages God gives will always align with His truth and His character – holiness, goodness, kindness, patience, compassion. The Holy Spirit inside believers is transforming them to be more Christlike, so His voice will prompt us toward sanctification – not sin (Romans 8:5-9).
1 John 4:1 tells us: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” We must carefully test and examine any revelation we believe to be from God to confirm it is authentic and true according to Scripture.
8. God’s voice will guide us to fulfill His Great Commission
A key way we can evaluate whether or not God is speaking to us is by looking at the fruit it produces. Namely, a message truly coming from God will be aimed toward seeing more people come to salvation in Jesus Christ.
Before Jesus ascended to heaven after His resurrection, He commanded His disciples saying, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
This Great Commission was not just for the apostles but all followers of Christ. The primary work God is doing now is drawing more people to Himself. So if we believe God is telling us to do something, it should align with helping fulfill this mission in some way. It will be centered on making disciples and spreading the Gospel, not self-interest or sinful pursuits.
9. We can expect clarity amid confusion when God speaks
Something that can help confirm God’s voice is that it will provide clarity and direction amid confusion. David wrote in Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” When God speaks, He makes the wise and right choice known.
This promise is amplified through the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within believers to act as a wise Counselor who guides us into truth. Jesus told His disciples that the Spirit would lead them into all truth and “declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:13).
So in seasons of uncertainty and confusion, we can ask God to speak through His Spirit bringing wisdom, direction, and clarity as we seek His will in prayer.
10. Listen to God’s voice with an open heart
If we want to hear from God, we need to listen with an open and obedient heart, willing to follow His guidance and instruction. We see through Scripture that those who heard most clearly from God – like Samuel, Isaiah, Mary, Paul – affirmed what He asked of them saying: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9).
James 1:22 reminds us: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” It is not enough to hear what God says. We must actually obey and put into practice what He reveals to us through prayer, Scripture, the Spirit’s conviction, and the other means He uses to speak.
In summary, God still speaks to His people today through His word, the Bible, which is the primary way we hear His voice. He also uses prayer, the Holy Spirit’s conviction, dreams, other believers, circumstances, and combinations of these means to communicate truth, wisdom, encouragement, conviction, and guidance for our lives. As we stay rooted in Scripture and listen for God’s voice with receptive hearts, we can trust He will make His will clearly known to those who seek Him.
