Latest message
How to Hear from God: How to Identify God's Voice
Jul 12, 2026 · Dr. Sam Owusu
Have you ever paused in the middle of a decision and wondered, Is this really God speaking, or is it just noise, pressure, or fear? In a world full of voices, God does not leave you alone to guess, he wants a real relationship with you, and he wants to guide you. Jesus says his sheep follow him “because they know his voice” (John 10:4), and they “will never follow a stranger” because they do not recognize that voice (John 10:5). That means learning God’s...Have you ever paused in the middle of a decision and wondered, Is this really God speaking, or is it just noise, pressure, or fear? In a world full of voices, God does not leave you alone to guess, he wants a real relationship with you, and he wants to guide you. Jesus says his sheep follow him “because they know his voice” (John 10:4), and they “will never follow a stranger” because they do not recognize that voice (John 10:5). That means learning God’s voice is not a mystery reserved for a few, it is part of everyday life with him. And because some mistakes can wound us deeply, God lovingly offers wisdom “from above” to help us discern. James gives a gentle, steady test for what you are hearing: “the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy, good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). When a thought, desire, or direction pulls you away from God’s character or his Word, it is not the Shepherd. “Every word of God is pure” (Proverbs 30:5), and “All Scripture is inspired by God… it corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right” (2 Timothy 3:16). Consider this too, God’s voice carries peace. “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15). Like a referee, the Holy Spirit can blow the whistle inside you, sometimes with a quiet restlessness, sometimes with a deep calm. God leads, he does not shove. He is “gentle” (James 3:17), and he “gently” leads his flock (Isaiah 40:11). And when you fail, his voice is still marked by mercy, not shame: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). All of this points us back to Jesus, the true Shepherd. He does not manipulate, condemn, or confuse. He calls, he leads, he restores. Even when another voice tried to pull him off mission, Jesus named it plainly: “Get behind me, Satan… you are not mindful of the things of God” (Matthew 16:23). In Christ, we learn what God sounds like. So today, bring what you are hearing into the light. Does it make you more like Jesus, or more driven by fear? Does it invite wise counsel, or isolate you? Does it produce good fruit, or confusion? God is not trying to trap you, he is trying to guide you. Take a quiet moment and pray, “Lord, be the referee in my heart.” Ask for wisdom from above, and let his peace settle you. The Shepherd is near, and he knows how to lead you one gentle step at a time.Read more
Grow this week