Are you struggling to hear God’s voice clearly? You’re not alone. Many Christians wrestle with the same questions: Why can’t I hear from God? How do I know if He is speaking? The Bible gives us timeless wisdom in James 1:19, which says, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
This verse is more than just advice for conversations—it is also a key to our relationship with God. In a world filled with noise, opinions, and distractions, learning to listen intentionally can open our ears to the voice of the Lord.
Listening Matters in Your Walk with God
Too often, prayer becomes a one-way conversation. We rush into God’s presence with our words, requests, and frustrations but leave little space to actually listen. James challenges us to do the opposite—to quiet our hearts and pay attention. The Bible is full of stories that illustrate the consequences of listening to the wrong voices and the blessing of listening to God. Eve entered into dialogue with the serpent and was led into trouble. Nehemiah, on the other hand, refused to be distracted by his critics and stayed focused on the work God gave him. And in Revelation, Jesus repeatedly says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Hearing is not the same as truly understanding. God invites us to lean in and seek clarity before we respond.
How God Speaks
Hebrews 1:1–2 reminds us that God has always been speaking. In the past He spoke through the prophets, and today He speaks through His Son, Jesus Christ. But that’s not the only way His voice is heard. Throughout Scripture we see that God speaks through His written Word, by His Spirit in moments of conviction or revelation, through life circumstances that get our attention, and even through prophetic encouragement or wisdom spoken by others. Sometimes He speaks in dreams and visions, like He promised in Acts 2. Other times it’s in the stillness of His presence, like Elijah experienced when he heard God’s gentle whisper. And ultimately, everything He says will align with the words of Jesus, the living Word made flesh.
The challenge for us is not whether God is speaking, but whether we are tuned in enough to notice. Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Stillness creates space for His voice to break through the noise of life.
Keys to Hearing God Clearly
Learning to hear God’s voice begins with posture. James encourages us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. That means we must be deliberate in what we give our attention to, just as Nehemiah refused to engage in pointless arguments that would pull him off task. It also requires discipline—the humility to slow down, hear carefully, and seek understanding before responding. And finally, it takes patience. A delayed response gives time for our emotions to come under God’s guidance, which helps us avoid reacting in anger or haste.
When we live this way, we begin to recognize God’s voice more clearly in Scripture, in prayer, and in the everyday moments of life.
Final Encouragement
If you’ve been asking yourself, “Why can’t I hear God’s voice?” remember this: God is speaking. From the very beginning in Genesis when He spoke creation into being, to today as He speaks through His Word and His Spirit, God has always desired to communicate with His people. The invitation is to slow down, quiet the noise, and lean into His presence. When we choose to be quick to hear and slow to speak, we open the door to deeper understanding, greater wisdom, and stronger faith.
Watch the Full Message
This article is based on a recent sermon at Word of Life Church. To dive deeper into how God speaks and how you can position yourself to hear Him clearly, watch the full message now on our YouTube channel: