I have people ask me a good bit, “How do you know when God is speaking to you? How do you know it is God’s voice speaking? How do you recognize His voice from all the other voices that are around you every day?” I think about it like this. I have been married for 37 years. When Virginia calls me on the phone, I don’t have to ask, “Who is this?” I know her voice. It is the most familiar voice in my life. I can pick her voice out of a crowd. How? Because I have been listening to, enjoying, and living with that voice for thirty-seven years. We have spent so much time together, her voice is distinct to me. How do you know that it is God’s voice? You spend time with God. The more you spend time with God, the more you listen to His words in the Bible, ponder them, treasure them, the more you talk to God, the more you listen, the more you will be able to discern His voice. When you spend time with someone you love, their voice is distinct and clear to you. Jesus says, “My sheep know my voice.” God wants to talk to you. Being able to discern the voice of God requires time spent with the Savior. Carve out some time everyday to study His word, to talk to Him, to listen, and you will discover the more time spent, the more clearly you will be able to discern His voice.
– Dr. Tim Thompson