How to hear the voice of God: 5 tips to quiet the noise

Through prayer and meditation I’ve learned how to hear the voice of God. With everything around us creating so much “noise” it becomes hard to focus on what is really important. Your relationship with God is the most important relationship that you have. Sometimes you have to block out all of the “noise” such as, demands from your job, your children, your spouse, your family, your friends, etc., and just become still before the Lord. When you put him first everything else will fall into place. The following is suggestions on how to hear the voice of God: 5 tips to quiet the noise.

Five tips to quiet the noise and focus on hearing the voice of God

1. Develop a Prayer Life

“Jesus said, This is how you should pray: Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.”

Luke 11:1-4 NLT

This means to dedicate a time to pray everyday. Set aside alone time to connect with God. Along with that, as you go about your day continue to talk to him. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Never stop praying (NLT).” Pray for God’s will to be done in your life. Pray for wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Pray for alignment between God’s will for you and your everyday walk. If you feel unsure, start with the prayer Jesus taught his disciples found in Luke 11:1-4. You can also write down your prayers using a prayer journal.

2. Meditate to Quiet the Noise

Study this book of instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Joshua 1:8 NLT

Prayer and meditation go well together though they are not one and the same. Meditation is focusing your mind and clearing out all of those everyday thoughts of worry. Getting rid of thoughts about things that you need to get done or should be doing. Focus purely on God and his word. Being still physically and mentally. This opens your heart to receiving from God. It may be revelation, encouragement, direction, or simply being in the presence of God. Whatever it is you will get exactly what you need. ” My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.” (Psalms 49:3 KJV)

3. Listen For His Voice

“My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. When you walk, you won’t be held back: when you run you won’t stumble. Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.”

Proverbs 4: 10-13 NLT

Here comes the challenging part. Prayer opens the conversation with God, meditation opens your heart to receive from God, but listening is how you will get your instruction from God. If you are doing all of the talking, that means you are not listening. Quiet the noise around you and in your head and listen to hear God’s voice. When you pray, yes, you can tell God the desires of your heart, but in order to receive what God has, most times there is a preparation season that must happen first. During this time, listen for instructions so when you do receive it you know how to handle it.

4. Obedience to God’s Voice and Word

” My children, listen when your father corrects you, pay attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions.”

Proverbs 4:1-2 NLT

This is another challenging part but very crucial. Once you receive your instruction from God, you must follow through and obey. This part for me is one I struggle with as well. In my experience what God instructs you to do is almost always the opposite of what you would rather do! It may force you out of your comfort zone, but it is necessary to take you to the next level.

5. Patience while seeking to hear God’s Voice

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…”

Galatians 5: 22-23

God’s wisdom and knowledge surpasses all we could ever think or know. Continue through the process over and over with patience. God will begin or continue to show and teach you things that will blow your mind. “In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”(Colossians 2:3 NLT) He wants us all to gain knowledge and wisdom so that we can live happy, fulfilled and successful.

Hearing God’s Voice requires Discernment, Practice and Patience

These are my 5 tips to quiet the noise and hear the voice of God. Just want to leave another point, don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right away. God will also use other people to speak to you or he might use dreams or visions to communicate with you. He decides how he wishes to communicate with you. Hearing from God as well as knowing if something is from God requires discernment, practice and patience. Don’t try to be deep so you can show off; just focus on building a relationship with him. He knows the desires of your heart.

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.”

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Do you hear God’s voice? How does he speak to you? Comment below.