Encouragement for Today

May 22, 2025 5 Questions To Know if You’re Hearing From God LYSA TERKEURST Lee en español

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

Every day, God speaks to us. Sometimes He invites us to draw close and listen as He reveals Himself, His character and His direction. Other times, He calls us to participate in His purposes. Or He simply whispers, reminding us of His amazing love for us.

Hearing from God is one of those topics that can easily stir up frustration and confusion. Maybe you’re asking: How do I know if God is speaking to me? How do I discern whether it’s His voice or just my own idea? What if I feel God telling me to do something that doesn’t make sense?

There’s no magic formula for discerning God’s voice. We learn to recognize His voice the way we recognize any voices of those close to us: by knowing Him. And when we know Him, we can tell if what we’re feeling led to do is from Him or not.

I’ve never heard His voice audibly. But I can still feel His direction and sense His presence when I seek Him. Here are five questions to determine if what you’re hearing is from God or not:

1. Does what I’m hearing line up with Scripture?

God will never tell us to do something contrary to His Word. But unless we know Scripture, we won’t be able to discern whether what we hear is consistent with the Word. We know the will of God when we read and pray the Word of God. Get a journal, and start recording the verses you study and some of your personal experiences as you read God’s Word.

2. Is what I’m hearing consistent with God’s character?

God’s Word also provides rich information regarding His character. Just as God always speaks in accordance with His Word, He speaks in accordance with His character. God will not say anything inconsistent with who He is. The longer we know Him and the more we experience Him personally, the more we learn about His character.

3. Is what I’m hearing confirmed through messages at church or Christian community?

When God speaks to me about a particular issue, I cannot escape it. Around every corner, there’s a sermon, Bible study lesson, speaker, or conversation with a friend that’s consistent with what I’ve been hearing from God in my time alone with Him. Listen for His voice, and then look for the message to be confirmed by other trustworthy voices.

4. Is what I’m hearing beyond me?

Sometimes God calls us to do something big that we can’t do in our strength — either it’s beyond our ability or our natural human desire. It’s not something we can strategize and manipulate into being. It can only happen through God’s divine intervention. When you feel this prompting, don’t look at your inabilities and dwell on insecurities. Look at the almighty God. See this call as your opportunity to watch Him work in and through you.

5. Is what I’m hearing pleasing to God?

It’s easy to talk ourselves out of thinking we’ve heard from God. I think we’ll pretty much use any excuse to convince ourselves it’s not His voice, so we don’t need to act. But if what you’re doing pleases God, then even if what you thought you heard from Him wasn’t His voice, you still please Him. We should always seek to err on the side of pleasing God.

This five-question filter is a good starting place in our conversations with God because when we expect to hear God’s voice, we will. God promises, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

I’m so thankful we serve a God who still speaks. To each of us. Individually. Right where we are.

Father, thank You that You aren’t hiding from me or trying to frustrate me. You still speak to me. Even when it’s hard to hear You, I know You speak to me through Your Word — always available and never silent. Help me live with a heart that’s quick to lean into You, ears that are always listening for You, and feet that are ready and willing to follow You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (NIV).

Have you ever wrestled with wondering if something you were hearing was from God or just your own idea? Look back at the list above in today's devotion: Which point most resonates with you in your life today?

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.

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