10 Characteristics of God's Voice

We all want to hear from God. The very idea that the maker of the universe would want to have a relationship with us and speak to us is incredible! Of course we want to hear his voice. But it’s sometimes confusing. Am I hearing God’s voice, or is it my own inclinations (which are often sinful), the voice of the world, or worse yet—the voice of Satan? Here is a brief list of what God’s sounds like.

1) Authoritative.

God is the supreme creator, the Almighty who commands creation with but a word. He speaks and it is done. Over and over again in the gospels we are told that the crowds were amazed at Jesus because he spoke as one with authority (e.g., Luke 4:32). He stilled a mighty storm with a single word—Peace (Mark 4:39). There is a settled finality to the voice of God.

Only I can tell you the future
before it even happens.
Everything I plan will come to pass,
for I do whatever I wish.—Isaiah 46:10

God’s voice is glorious in the thunder. We can't even imagine the greatness of his power.—Job 37:5

The nations are in chaos,
and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders,
and the earth melts!—Psalm 46:6

2) Scriptural.

The undeniable, authoritative voice of God is found in the pages of Scripture. It is the full revelation of his ways and his will. Therefore, when we hear the voice of God speaking into a particular situation in our lives, it will never contradict Scripture. Rather, it will confirm, complement, and apply the timeless truths of the Bible.

And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,
 “This is the new covenant I will make
with my people on that day, says the LORD:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”—Hebrews 10:15-16

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.—2 Timothy 3:16-17

3) Holy.

The absolute and total perfection of God is the basis for all his other attributes. This is the one that the angels around the throne proclaim over and over again, declaring that God is not just holy, he is holy, holy, holy. Therefore, all of his words are pure. He will never tell you to sin, and will always speak in holy perfection. 

Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory!”—Isaiah 6:2-3

And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. —James 1:13

4) Inspiring.

God does not leave us where we are; he challenges us to grow in faith and love. To borrow C. S. Lewis’s words, he calls us further up and further in. If an idea seems surprising, like something you would not have thought of on your own, it may be God calling you. His ways are higher than yours, and when he invites you to join in his work he is calling you to something greater than yourself.

We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.—Ephesians 2:10

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, 
    “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined
     what God has prepared for those who love him.”

But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.—1 Corinthians 2:9-12

5) Calm.

God spoke to Elijah not in the windstorm, earthquake, or fire—but in a gentle whisper. He speaks in the stillness and calm. There is a peace that settles on our hearts when we are hearing the voice of God. There is no hurry or panic. We may be frightened by what he’s asking of us, but the voice itself is one of calm reassurance, peace, and love.

After the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.—1 Kings 19:12-13

Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.—Psalm 46:10

6) Self-glorifying.

Because God is the supreme being, the one who is deserving of all glory and honor and power, he is rightly about the business of glorifying himself. Our very existence is designed to bring God glory (Jeremiah 13:11), and that is why Jesus came (John 12:27-28). God’s ultimate goal is to glorify himself—to make his name great—so everything he speaks and does is for that purpose.

For as the waters fill the sea,
the earth will be filled with an awareness
of the glory of the LORD.—Habakkuk 2:14

For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.—Romans 11:36

7) Relational.

The second purpose of God, beyond glorifying himself, is to have a relationship with us. Everything he speaks is oriented toward connection with us, not separation. He invites us to come to him and to repent so that we can draw near to him and live in intimate relationship.

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.—James 4:8

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.—Revelation 3:20

8) Convicting.

God’s words are designed to draw us to repentance, and as such they convict us of our sin. But they are not condemning or shame-inducing: that is the voice of Satan, the accuser. God speaks words of life that lead us to repentance, not words of death.

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?—Romans 2:4

Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens,
“It has come at last—salvation and power
and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—
the one who accuses them before our God day and night.”—Revelation 12:10

9) Wise.

God’s words are wise beyond mere human wisdom, for he is the source of all wisdom. But that doesn’t mean his words always make sense according to human wisdom or will be popular in the world’s eyes. Spiritual truth is understood spiritually, through the work of the Holy Spirit, and sometimes God’s words sound like foolishness to those who don’t know him.

People who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For,
     “Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?”—1 Corinthians 2:14-16

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.—Isaiah 55:9

10) Discernable.

I think one of the main fears Christians have is that they will miss the call of God. But we needn’t be afraid of that—God himself has promised that those who seek him will find him, and that those who belong to him will hear his voice. The Holy Spirit helps us in this task. As long as we are striving to know God, intending to obey him, and listening for his call, we will hear God’s voice when he speaks.

The sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.—John 10:3-5

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.—John 10:27