How Does God Speak?

We love to talk... like a lot!  We don't like to listen.  I think that is why the old saying, "God gave us one mouth and two ears for a reason" resonates with so many of us... because we are supposed to listen but we don't.  Yet a question that I am often asked is "How does God speak to me?"  As I discussed in a past post, God is always speaking to us and God uses many ways to speak to us.  The following are some of the ways that God chooses to speak to His people:

• The Bible - The Bible is the written word of God.  Everything in it is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training us in our lives.  If we believe this and ask God to open our eyes and ears to see and hear His words, then God will speak loudly through His written word!

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

• The Holy Spirit - When we begin a relationship with Jesus, the Bible says that we are given the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the spirit of God that lives within us.  The Holy Spirit is a person with a mind, a will and emotions.  The Holy Spirit speaks to us regularly... Often it comes a still small voice.  We must learn to discern the Spirit's voice in our lives (which will be the topic of an upcoming post).

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. - John 14:26

• People In Our Lives - God uses people in our life to speak to situations, issues or needs that we face on a daily basis.  God uses others as spokesman for what He wants to say.  There have been many times when people close to me have spoken words of encouragement, instruction, correction, hope, freedom, and life... all of which I needed to hear.  God uses those around us to speak to our hearts.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. - Ephesians 4:29

• Circumstances - We all go through situations that are hard.  Currently, my wife and I are going through a desert.  However, one thing that I have learned is that God does not allow us to go through different circumstances for no reason.  There is something that God wants us to learn through every circumstance that we go through.  Lose your job?  Win the lottery?  Have a baby? Hurt your back?  What is it that God wants to say to you through the situation that you are going through?  Elijah heard God speak through a small wind and Moses heard God speak through a burning bush.  God speaks to us often throughout the circumstances that we are going through.

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”  Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.  
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” - 1 Kings 19:11-13

When the Lord saw that he (Moses) had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
And Moses said, “Here I am.” - Exodus 3:4

This is not an exhaustive list, but this seems to be the popular ways that God has been speaking to me.  One thing is certain, God will speak to you in whatever way He chooses... He may even use a donkey!  What a joy to know that the God of the universe wants to speak to us!  Why wouldn't we want to listen!?

What other ways does God speak to you?  Comment and let me know!

- Rick