Our ability to recognize voices is actually pretty amazing!

We recognize the voices of family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, teachers, coaches, preachers, Presidents, politicians, actors and the list goes on and on!

I am in the habit of calling our church office, from time to time, in a different voice and causing the secretaries some anxiety!

I will ask crazy questions in a strange voice like:

• Do you baptize dogs?
• How can I make sure my dog goes to heaven!
• Do you do funerals for pets?
• Will a Pastor perform a pet funeral if I’m willing to pay $1000!

It is said, that at somewhere around four months of age, a baby begins to identify their parent’s voices. A child, after having heard them speak for weeks, can at that age distinguish that their parent’s sound different from other people.

It is commonly understood that parents can distinguish the cry of their own children over the sounds of many other crying kids!

Similarly, God has supplied us, His children, with the capability to recognize His voice. 

Over time, we can learn to distinguish Him speaking to us through His Word, His responses to our prayers and Godly people speaking into our lives.

Listen to the words of Jesus in John 10: 1- 5 (NLT).

1 “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

Scripture describes God as speaking in a still, small voice!

We are not to drown out His voice. 

The Bible also states, "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him." 

God’s voice on occasion can be a secret, hushed voice. It could be compared to a person having a gentle heart to heart talk with someone that they love.

God’s voice is a still, small voice whispering to the inner ear. 

How can we hear it if we fill our ears and our hearts with the noise of this world? The noise of this world is an empty tumult. Its excitement, its vanities, cares, passions, anxieties and rivalries all spin in a whirl of emptiness!

Pay attention to this verse found in Hebrews 3:15. 

“Remember what it says: “Today when you hear His voice, don’t harden your hearts
as Israel did when they rebelled.”

God speaks to us directly!

Sometimes He speaks through others to directly affect our lives!

To help identify God's voice, let me provide  you with 5 simple confirmations:

 1) God’s Voice Is Always Consistent with the Word of God!

 (Romans 8: 5- 6) NLT

5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.  6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

 2) God's Voice Often Conflicts With Human Reasoning! 

If what you are hearing defies your personal reason it could be the voice of the Lord. God tells us to turn the other cheek. He tells us to love our enemies. He also says the last shall be first. We think those statements defy our reason.

 3) God's Voice Often Clashes With Our Fleshly Desires! 

God wants us to have enjoyment in a Godly way but is opposed to our gratifying earthly desires that are outside His plan.

  4) God's Voice Challenges Our Faith

God desires to build our faith in order to deepen our relationship with Him.

 5) God’s Voice Often Causes Us To Act With Courage! 

When God speaks, a decision requiring a sacrifice or change in direction is often necessary.

God promises we will know His voice above all others so we can follow Him. 

He doesn't want us listening to "strangers." If we do, we will go astray. 

Please read all 11 verses in Psalm 29.

Note how many times the voice of the Lord is mentioned!

Also reflect upon how the voice of the Lord is described!

Listen to the voice of the Lord!