Hearing God's voice is tricky, so we need proper checks and balances that help us stay within the banks of what we sense God is saying. Without these checks and balances, we can make choices that have the potential to steer us in a direction other than God's best. This impacts us personally and can also have a significant impact on those we love and lead.

Many well-intentioned believers have felt sincere about what they believe God is saying, only to step out and meet misfortune for the actions they believe God told them to take.

Thankfully, He makes all things work together for good for those who love him (Romans 8:28). Yes, the Lord is big enough to get us where we need to be despite our sincere efforts to follow His leading — it just takes longer to get there.

About The List

Below, I've listed ten ways to help people discern God's voice. This list is not exhaustive but rather a representation of the more common ways to confirm God's voice.

A couple of quick things about the list:

It's important to note that not all of these points need to be active at one time to confirm God's voice. One or any combination of points listed can be used together.

1. I tried to keep each point as brief as possible. Just know that each point can be expanded in length.

2. Confirming God's voice requires our constant attention to our relationship with the person of the Holy Spirit.

Ten Ways To Confirm God's Voice

1. Does it agree with the Bible? (2 Timothy 3:16)

God will not contradict His Word. If what you are hearing is not in line with the moral principles found in His Word, you will need to either gain more clarity about what you think God is saying or disregard the word altogether.

2. Will it make me more like Christ? (Romans 8:29)

Whatever we sense God telling us to do is always pointed to make us more like Jesus. The goal of the Christian life is the image of Christ, and nothing God says will move you away from growing in the likeness of His Son.

3. Does my spouse and family confirm it? (Proverbs 11:14)

If you are married to another believer, if you have children who have a level of spiritual understanding and if what you are hearing from the Lord is important enough to bring them into the picture, then without question, bring them in. Ask them what they think about what you believe God is saying.

I realize that there are many variables, but I am putting this out here as general rule of thumb. I have and continue to bring my wife and children in on the big things I sense the Lord saying.

4. Do spiritually mature people I surround myself with confirm it? (Ephesians 3:10)

In addition to your spouse and children, pursue spiritual counsel from mature believers. These are spiritual mentors and coaches, pastors, small group leaders, and/or a group of people you respect and value. Listen to what they have to say and take what they say to prayer.

5. Is it consistent with how God has made me? (1 Peter 4:10)

God has made you with unique gifts, passions, anointings, abilities, and talents. He often leads us in ways consistent with how He has wired us. For some, His voice awakens things that have laid dormant. At times, God brings a special impartation to fulfill His call. But in most cases, I've seen His voice line up with how he has uniquely made us.

6. Does it line up with prophetic words given over me? (1 Timothy 4:14)

If you have prophetic words that you believe God has spoken over you and you've kept these words in front of you, then use them to help confirm what you sense He is saying.

The prophetic word is a confirmation of what YOU are hearing. I have experienced prophetic encounters that have acted as both the voice of the Lord AND a confirming word all at the same time. It's better to get a word for yourself and allow the prophetic confirm that word.

7. Does it move me? (Romans 12:11)

Does what you sense God saying excite you, move you, awaken and inspire the inner man? His voice comes with a "knowing" that quickens an inner spiritual reality that inspires and moves you in many ways.

8. Will it stretch me? (Philippians 3:13-14)

When God speaks, expect His word to take you out of your comfort zone. God loves to take us into new territory and places we have not yet traveled to stretch us into the fulness of our potential. God did this with Moses, Gideon, Joseph, the disciples, the Apostle Paul and so many others. Being stretched requires greater depths of dependence on the Lord.

9. Will it require faith? (Romans 10:17)

Faith, trusts. God never apologizes for speaking impossibilities to us, and it's what He specializes in most. Regardless of the task or sense of direction, the Lord's voice is leading us in to, I can assure you that it will require faith to do it.

Whether starting a ministry, asking someone to forgive you, laying hands on the sick, or something else, I would say each of these requires faith from you. Faith believes, hopes, and relies upon the God of heaven to help us fulfill what He is asking us to do.

10. Do I have peace about it? (Philippians 4:7)

I believe God's voice and direction will lead us to peace and assurance. If you sense God is speaking to you about something and it's leaving you pressured, overwhelmed, and confused, I would urge you to continue to seek the Lord on the matter. On the other hand, there might be something God is speaking to you about, and you will find no peace until you finally do it!

Regardless of what end of the spectrum we find ourselves on, I believe God gives a sense of peace that goes beyond our understanding. It's a supernatural "knowing" that God alone deposits into the believer that confirms His voice. It might not make sense, but you strongly sense His presence around it.

Confidence in Hearing God's Voice

I hope these are helpful to you. Confidently knowing what God is saying brings an assurance anchored in heaven and expressed on earth. You are born to live with this confidence.

Question: Recently, what do you sense God is saying to you? Share your comment below.