8 Ways God speaks to Us

The goodness of God

The goodness of God is immeasurable. The wisdom and grandeur of God cannot be completely understood. But yet, He communes with us, He speaks to us and call us His own. One phrase that I always say to my closest friends and family is that “God never lets his children fall into a hole.” I stand convicted to that statement, understanding that if we fall, it is not because God did not warn us, but rather, we didn’t listen.

We didn’t listen to the wise counsel He sent or the perfectly timed sermon we heard at church, we paid no attention to the signs; the red flags, or the smoke before the fire. It was us. Yes, not all things can be prevented but one thing is for sure, that God is always there, speaking. God is not coy concerning us, nor is He silent.

The world says the devil is in the details. But as Christians, we understand that we serve a God that is precise and detail oriented. If you look closely you will see God. That He never left, and he really wasn’t as silent as we thought He was in that season. You hear God, but are you listening? One can ask well, how does God speak?

In Genesis, God spoke into the vase, blank canvas of the universe and said, “Let there be light: and there was light” Genesis 1:3. The first time God spoke to man, was in the Garden of Eden. And the LORD God, commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17.

We see here that the first words God spoke to man were a warning in the form of a command, this command was for man’s own benefit. God was not limiting or restricting man, given the generosity of God allowing Adam to eat of all the trees of the garden, except for one. So often as baby Christians we look at our Christian walk as somewhat restrictive, not fully understand that such “restriction” is to our soul’s benefit, preventing harm and blessing our future.

After the fall of man, sin entered and separated us from direct communication with God. No longer was man in the very essence of God, but rather afar off, “Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.” Genesis 3:23.

Though man with his sin had separated himself from God, God did not leave man to his own devices. Instead, he sought us even more, to reach us, speak to us, connect with us, that He may usher us into repentance and true communion with God. We see this in Genesis 3:10-21, where God had a whole conversation with man after they sinned. Seeking and asking them questions.

What I love about this is that God already knew, because He is God; all knowing, all powerful. But, in the effects to draw man closers, He humbled himself in love that he may draw them back to Him. Ephesians 2:13 says “But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” I also love what the Bible says in Romans 8:39…

Because we are individuals, God pursues us on an individual base. He may speak to you one specific way, and speak to others in multiple ways. God is The Truth, he never lies, he never deceives. Numbers 23:19 says “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”

If you hear a message that contradicts God’s Word and his principles, it is not of God. God is not going to lead you astray. His intentions are of blessings, of love, of edification and protection. He seeks to reveal our sins to us that we may repent. Job 34:12 says “Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.”

8 Ways God Speaks to Us Today

1. His Word:

The Bible or breath of God, is the blueprint as to how we ought to live our lives. The Bible is the primary way in which God speaks to us. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” God’s word is nourishment to our souls. It kills the flesh, heals the mind and brings forth true repentance.

2. Prayer:

The Christians lifeline; the means in which we communicate with God. Christ knew the importance of prayer so much so that He taught us how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13. Jesus is our mediator, 1 Timothy 2:5 says “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” The word mediator here is Greek for mesítēs which means to go-between. Meaning that this is not a one-sided conversation, it’s interactive. Romans 8:26 reads “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

3. People – wise counsel:

In the Bible, we see that God loved using people young and old. Those with position and status and ordinary people to relay a message to an individual or to a nation. It is wise to state that, if and/or when God is using someone; their words and the principle of the message will NOT contradict The Word of God. We see this time and time again when the prophets of God went out to speak. Jonah preached at Nineveh “…Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown! So, the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.” Jonah 3:4-5.

Jonah warned the people of Nineveh, to turn from their wicked ways. Likewise, God uses individuals in our lives to address certain issues that we may or may not be aware of. In the hopes that we may heath to wise counsel, through repentance or decision making. Whether it’s a family member, friend, pastor, or teacher; God uses individuals to better guide, and protect us in everyday life.

4. Circumstances:

As stated earlier, God is not coy concerning us, and he often uses circumstances as teachable moments. Although these experiences may be trying and painful; God uses them for our good, as a form of edification. Teaching us vital lessons that we needed to learn in order to grow and mature spiritually. A mirror that shows us areas within ourselves that desperately need reformation or repentance. It is in these circumstances that we realize that the work within us, is not finished and we need Christ even more. Romans 8:28 says “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose”.

5. Intuition – Gut feeling:

There is nothing like a strong sense of warning in our spirit. Wheather this feeling is addressed towards a person, place, thing, or situation. Our intuition, or instinct is there as an alarm, a siren; that is meant to protect us from harm. Very often we find that, after we go against our gut feeling, it does way more harm than good. God put it there for a reason. As Christians, the Holy Spirit can influence our intuition as a means of communication. Our Intuition can be directly tied to our discernment. Hebrews 5:14 says “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

6. Nature:

Nature reveals the glory of God. I love how David says it in Psalm 8:3-4 “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon, and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?” Nature teaches us more about God and His love for humanity. It shows us discipline, principle, law, fellowship, and love. Romans 1:20 says “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”

7. Dreams and visions:

Dreams and visions is another way that God may speak to some. Acts 2:17 says. “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.”

8. His still small voice:

From the old testament to the new, God spoke. Generations pass, times are different, but God remains the same. Hebrews 13:8 says “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Meaning that he still speaks this way to some people. Those who are privileged to hear the whispering voice of God can attest to its comforting truth, and guidance.God is not limited, whether he speaks to you through His word, through prayer, wise counsel, circumstances, intuition, nature, dreams, and visions or His still small voice, one thing is for sure “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27