How Should We Understand the Voice of God

God the Father is an invisible spirit, so He does not have literal physical appendages. Scripture, however, speaks of Him in physical terms called ‘Anthropomorphisms’, because, even though He has no body, He still sees, hears, smells, works, walks, etc.  Let’s consider the voice of God. Every voice is unique, similar to a finger print.   

The Bible is a written record of words inspired by God.  Over 10,000 times, Scripture refers to verbal communication with words like voice, said, says, say, speak, speaking, spoke, talked, talk, etc.  There are many instances when God speaks.  In fact, the Bible begins with the creation account and each of the six days begins with the words, “And God said…“  God spoke! So let‘s consider the voice of God and how it is still vitally important to us today.

God’s Voice is COMMUNICATING Today

*Communicating Through the Holy Scriptures

Ex. 17:14 “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua’…” 

The prophet Moses had many face-to-face conversations with God. He was divinely chosen to write the first five books of the Bible. Toward the end of his life, Moses wrote:

Deut. 29:29, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed (communicated by God and recorded for us in Scripture) belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this Law.” 

So the Bible is the written record of God’s voice communicating what we need to know and do.  This is wonderfully stated:

2 Tim. 3:16-17, “All Scripture is (God-breathed) given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

*Communicating Through the Holy Spirit

Acts 13:2  “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me, Barnabas and Saul (later called Paul), for the work to which I have called them.’” 

While the church in Antioch was worshipping, serving and praying,  the Holy Spirit communicated with them.  Did He speak to them with an audible voice?  Probably not, but the Bible speaks often about the leading, guiding, assuring ministry of the Holy Spirit. 

Rom. 14:14,16  “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God…the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

*Communicating Through Holy Spirit-led Saints

God spoke to David, Moses, Elisha, and Peter

2 Sam. 23:2, David said, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue.” 

1 Kings 8:53… “as You spoke by Your servant Moses, when You brought our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord God.” 

2 Kings 9:36… “This is the word of the Lord which He spoke by His servant Elijah…” 

2 Pet. 1:19-21, “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed which you do well to heed….for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”   

So we still hear God’s voice today when we read Scripture, which was penned by Spirit-led men, and also when we are taught or counseled by Spirit-led saints using the Word and biblical principles.

God’s Voice is COMFORTING Today

*Comforting Those Who are Sorrowing

Down through the ages millions have been comforted by the words of Scripture.  Doubtlessly that is why the Bible remains the #1 best-seller of all time.  As an experienced pastor and hospice chaplain, I can attest there is no greater consolation than the very words of God in the hour of death. 

Ps. 23:4… “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” 

The apostle Paul wanted to comfort saints who had lost loved ones, so he wrote:

1 Thes.4:13-18  “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep (died), lest you sorrow as others who have no hope…for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven…and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore, comfort one another with these words.”

*Comforting Those Who are Suffering

David, Jesus, and Paul had words of comfort for those who suffer:

Ps. 119:50, “This is my comfort in my affliction, for your Word has given me life.”   

Mt. 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

Rom. 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” 

2 Cor. 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Mercies and God of all Comfort; who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble…for as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.” 

What a blessing to know the God of All Comfort and hear His voice!

*Comforting Those Who are Serving   

I have a good friend who has often reminded me that ‘God has never promised us life would be fair or easy’.  That’s for sure!  Paul told young Timothy that he should expect to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”… (2 Tim. 2:3).  Paul also wrote:

1 Cor. 15:58, “Therefore my beloved brethren; be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

One of my favorite old hymns says, …

It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus;
life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ.
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase;
so bravely run the race, till we see Christ!

God’s Voice is CONVICTING Today

*Convicting the Unsaved of Their Sinfulness 

The Triune God is at work reaching out to sinful man.  The Father sent His Son to die on the Cross for our sin, and the Son, after his resurrection, sent the Holy Spirit to continue His redemptive work and to be the “voice” that convicts:

John 16:8 “And when He (the Holy Spirit) is come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”

*Convicting the Saved of Their Sin

A new Christian soon learns that though he has been saved from the penalty of sin, he has not yet been delivered from the presence of sin.  Upon conversion, the Holy Spirit comes to take residence within the believer.  Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  So when the Christian sins, it grieves the Holy Spirit, which leaves a negative sense of shame or remorse that is called conviction. This is a good thing.

Conviction reminds us that we should repent and seek God’s forgiveness, and be restored to a sweet relationship with our Lord.  After David committed adultery with Bathsheba, he entered into a dark period of trying to hide his sin. Yet he was miserable with the conviction of the Spirit.  Psalm 51 is his testimony of the misery of his guilt, his humble confession and repentance, and the joyful renewing of the joy of his salvation.  God’s voice is still convicting today, and Christ’s blood is still able to save us, and cleanse us from our sin!

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

God’s Voice is CALLING Today

*Calling Saints to Surrender

Even after one has been saved and becomes a child of God, it is easy to slip back into thinking we are in control instead of yielding daily to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Pride and self-assuredness comes naturally.  That’s why a toddler says defiantly,  Me do it!  Me can do it!  And at the tender age of 2 or 3, he really thinks he can!  Sadly, we can be just as stubborn and arrogant before our Heavenly Father.  But the book of wisdom warns:

Prov 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirt before a fall.”

We should wisely heed God’s call to daily surrender. 

James 4:6-10“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble; therefore submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded.  Lament and mourn and weep!  Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.”

The world says, “Demand your rights!”  The Word of God says, “Surrender your rights!” Surrender to the God who loves you, saved you, and knows what is good, acceptable, and perfect for your life.

*Calling Sinners to Salvation 

Ever since the first man, Adam, sinned in the Garden of Eden, and God came looking for him, saying, “Where are you?” our loving God has been seeking the lost and calling out to them for salvation.  The Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, recorded God’s overture this way”

Isa 1:18 “Come now and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” 

In Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost, he said

Acts 2:38-40 “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…and with many other words he testified and exhorted them saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation!’”

In the last chapter of the Bible, the apostle John gives a closing invitation

Rev. 22:17 “…And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come’, and let him who hears say, ‘Come’. And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take of the water of life freely.” 

So from Genesis to Revelation, the voice of God is calling sinners to salvation.  The question is, have we heard His voice?  Are we willing to listen and respond in humility, repentance and faith?  In John W. Peterson’s soul-searching hymn, he wrote:

Someday you’ll hear God’s final call to your
to take His offer of salvation true.
This could be it, my friend, if you but knew;
God’s final call, God’s final call.

Read More 

What is Anthropomorphism?
Will We See the Face of God in Heaven? What Will He Look Like?
Seeing Jesus
Close Your Eyes and SEE Jesus!

The Anthropomorphic Expressions of God
How Should We Understand…
The Mind of God?
The Face of God?
The Eyes of God?
The Ears of God?
The Nose of God?
The Voice of God?
The Shoulder of God?
The Back of God?
The Arms of God?
The Hands of God?
The Fingers of God?
The Feet of God?
The Heart of God?