Nearly all Christians (and many non-Christians) would really like to hear God's voice. This is especially true when it comes to personal guidance or information. Many seek His voice but usually give-up because it seems He does not speak to us. In truth, he does speak to us but we do not hear His voice. He communicates, but it does not register with us.   

       I will attempt to sort out some of the most common obstacles to hearing God. I use speak in the broad sense because we rarely hear God audibly. Sight and sound are limitation of human sense faculties. Our finite minds also do not grasp the infinite knowledge and understanding that God has because our mind is accustomed to processing sense knowledge and spiritual or revelation knowledge, is a different issue. “The assurance in our heart” would be a more apt description of “hearing” God… most of the time.

     How then can we hear God.  We first hear God through our spirits. We are spiritual creatures, made in God's image and likeness, but we are also encumbered with a body, which houses our spirit and soul. While the soul is a non-material entity, the mind, will and emotions, which constitute it, are limited and finite.

      The first obstacle to overcome is not understanding the things of God... with the natural mind. Paul reminds us the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  (I Cor. 2:14 KJV) How then do we hear God. We first hear God through our spirit. We truly are spiritual creatures made in the image and likeness of God --even though our spirits are sometimes comatosed...because we are accustomed to operating in the soulish realm (mind-will-emotions area).

      Our souls are overdeveloped because we are accustomed to processing sense knowledge. Our spirits are impoverished and comatosed from lack of function, not recognizing the spiritual messages that are constantly transmitted to us. Every one of us has a spirit, but only when we accept Jesus into our life are we able to qualify as a Holy Spirit temple.  He empowers us and enables, in a more infinite way, to function as a child of God.

      When it comes to power, the only analogy I can think of is the difference of flashlight batteries versus the largest hydroelectric generator, which is inexhaustible, and without limitations of output. If we function according to our human spirit we can function somewhat in the spiritual dimension but with limitations of power and time... like a flashlight battery. If we function according to the Holy Spirit power we become partakers of the Divine Nature and have access to unlimited and eternal power. (2Pet. 1:3-5)

      In order to hear God we must function in the (Holy) Spirit so that we can have the mind of God and the understanding of his Spirit… (Not confined to the limitations of sense knowledge and the finite limitations of the human mind and human will.) As we walk according to the (Holy) Spirit we begin to recognize God’s voice even when the message is confirmed and executed in a very human way.

      For example, we may have a thought that seems to come from God. The message is “Give that man $100.” As we question the man, we find that he is in dire need of $100 in order to pay transportation back to Bible school on time. He was praying to God for the resources and God knew we were in the man’s pathway and we had the resources that he needed. God then “spoke” to us knowing that we would hear and respond properly. (A true example)

       The process of hearing God through revelation goes something like this:  A thought from God is revealed to our human spirit and impressed upon our finite minds via the Holy Spirit's revelation. (It does not come from sense knowledge or reasoning) The soul (mind, will & emotions) executes the thought or message. In a very human and tangible way the thought (from God) becomes very real and meaningful in this sensate, earthly world that we live in. We perceive that the thought is supernatural (from God), but we act upon in a very human way, using our mind, will and emotions plus our body to execute the God-given message.

      The point I am trying to make is that we need to be connected to God and have his Holy Spirit operating in our lives if we expect to hear the voice of God and be able to do His will. The limitations of human nature (soul-mind, will & emotions)without God (Jesus & Holy Spirit) restrict and severely compromise our ability to hear God. If we want to hear God’s voice we need to be connected to God and walk according to the Spirit and not the fallen human nature.

 Denis Van Loan BS, DDS