HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD: PT 1 “The Still Small Voice”
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction
Update: April 7th, 2026
This teaching was originally released on August 18th 2025. It is April 7th, 2026 and some things have been updated and changed to reflect our position better, and to prepare this teaching for audio publication.
Outline Of This Teaching Series
Before we dive into this teaching, you should know this is part 1 of 3 total teachings to come. All of which covering the belief system that can be aptly named: “Hearing The Voice Of God” or “The Voice Of God Theology”. In this Part 1 of the teaching series, we are going to be examining the scriptural claims that Christians use to confirm that they can, and should hear an inward voice or prompting from God that guides them in life.
The Still Small Voice Explained
People who believe that God speaks to them inside their hearts and minds, will often say something along the lines of: “God speaks to me through a still small voice” Or they will say “God told me this” or "God told me that”. The belief that God has personally spoken to them outside of scripture is not merely a sentimental turn of phrase to indicate they learned something from God via His word, and are simply using confusing language. They truly do believe God has extra biblically revealed things to them that otherwise were not known, through inner feelings, quiet impressions, or mental nudges.
They describe this occurrence as the “still small voice” from scripture. Quoting passages such as 1 Kings 19:12 to support the idea that God speaks in a still small voice to His people. They assert this is how God provides direction or confirmation in their lives. It is believed by them that this is the main means by which we discern the Lord’s will in our daily lives. Scripture often takes a back seat, to the mystical inward prompting of God, given only to a few select individuals.
But is this what the Bible instructs us to do in order to hear from God? Is it exemplified for us in Scripture as a normative practice for the people of God? Can we see examples in Scripture of others being led by an inward inaudible voice? Or is it a dangerous practice that elevates the voice of the personal conscious to the status of God, thereby blaspheming God through self worship?
This is to say nothing of those who believe that God audibly speaks to them. This is another issue entirely, one we will not cover in this teaching in depth. Suffice it to say only two conclusions are true: Either God is indeed speaking to people and thus all of their individual revelations need to be added as Scripture, or they are misguided, and in the case of hearing audible voices: someone who may border on clinical insanity.
This is not to say those who did hear from God in scripture were clinically insane as the atheist argues. Insanity alone cannot explain the cross-cultural periods of physical and temporal separation between those who did hear His voice, and how all of scripture is consistent and inexplicably cogent. To the point that divine patterns are found in the Word of God, prophecy being fulfilled, and many other such facts. Quite the opposite is true and is one of the main tests (1 John 4:1-3) to see if the spirits which speak to us are indeed from God.
One thing is certain, most who believe in the inward revelation of God speaking in their inner man, do not believe they are hearing from God audibly. So it is this “Still Small Voice” that we will be adressing from here on out.
We invite you to bring your ‘thinking cap’ as we ask important questions to determine whether this is something biblical that Christians should expect in their lives. Or if it is tantamount to blaspheming God by elevating the narrative inner voice many people have, to the status of God Himself. Which in essence is making your own inner voice the god you actually serve and worship.
The Origins Of This Doctrine
It should be noted that if after thorough investigation, the latter conclusion is true, we can safely say the origins of such a doctrine are not of God, but of Satan. Aleister Crowley, founder of Thelema and a self-proclaimed Satanist, summed up Satan's message in one line: "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law."
If indeed people are listening to their own conscious or inner voice and calling it God, they are not only committing blasphemy by elevating themselves as God, but it turns out they are also fulfilling the Satanic doctrine of “doing what thou wilt”. Succinctly pointing to Satan as the originator of such a doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1). That alone should give Christians pause concerning this issue.
How We Determine Truth
Our goal in this matter is to determine “What does the Bible say in regards to all this?” To do so, we will:
Give an accurate description of the justification for the belief in question.
Provide Scriptural proof texts used to substantiate the belief in question.
Finally, provide Biblical examination and ultimately refutation of the belief.
Our goal is not to staunchly promote a biased denominational opinion, held by some in the Church. Rather our goal is to pursue the truth no matter where it leads (John 14:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:10) out of an earnest position of our heart to both know and love the truth. Likewise as a teaching ministry, we desire you to not only know the truth yourself, but by providing you with a resource to sharpen yourself in the word, you may also stand on that same truth, and refute the gain sayers.
Before we continue, we need to establish 3 baseline facts on how to properly perform Biblical interpretation. This is important to establish, as we cannot have any meaningful or edifying discussion or study, unless we outline our terms and the basis by which we will be judging all claims.
Using Scripture in context:
When interpreting scripture. We must understand the people it was written to, the time it was written in, what certain words or phrases meant to people back then. Lastly we must compare what we have learnt against the broader scope of the chapter, book, and bible. If one part of the Bible inarguably concludes something, then another part cannot undo that conclusion. The Bible is consistent throughout. It is our understanding that is inconsistent. It requires logic, rationale, and honest humility to study the Scriptures. The measure of our humility and willingness to be wrong, directly corresponds to having and knowing the truth. The safest place to start is not assuming you know all things about scripture, and that your doctrines are bullet proof, but rather that you may in fact be wrong about what you believe. Study the scriptures long enough, and your so-called bullet proof doctrines may get a few holes in them. For a simple example on what we mean: If we find that lying is inarguably a sin in the bible, we cannot later excuse lying as no longer a sin based on another part of the text or our own doctrines. If done this way it demonstrates you have no business teaching or handling the Word of God. Such inconsistency is the back-bone of false doctrines, and is the catalyst that converts a person from being saved, to falling into the category of false teacher spoken of in 2 Peter 2, thereby potentially forfeiting their own salvation.
Eisegesis versus Exegesis
Misapplication of Scripture happens whenever we read our own thoughts, or theology into the text, instead of drawing it out from the text. Additionally, it also happens when someone makes the text about themselves instead of the characters in the text. This is known as Eisegesis, and it is unfortunately rampant in our day and age. We need to pay close attention to word usage and the subject of the text, both contextually, and historically, also by comparing Scripture to Scripture, not arguing from silence, and not applying theology to the text that isn’t there. Instead the theology we glean from the text is not one we apply to it, but what can be rationally, and logically drawn from it. The Greek and Hebrew can aid in this, but with all things, it can be abused. You will notice that our method of interpretation is known as Exegesis, which aims to give the plain reading of the text as was meant to be understood without extrabiblical knowledge. For example, David defeating Goliath was not about how you can defeat the giants in your life. It was about what God was doing to raise up King David, and has massive theological implications toward Jesus being referred to as the “Son of David”. His lineage being traced back to him was massively significant (2 Samuel 7:12-16, Psalm 89:3-4, 34-37, Psalm 132:11). Eisegesis turns the story of David and Goliath into a narcissistic story about you (also jokingly called Narcegesis, Narcissist and Eisegesis combined), and Exegesis tells the story as it is, including the theological implications that point to Christ, not you.
Prescriptive Versus Descriptive
There are parts of Scripture that are simply descriptive, and parts that are prescriptive. We need to be able to discern the prescriptive parts of Scripture versus the descriptive parts of Scripture. A simple way to discern this is by noticing whether or not a passage
Speaks of a singular event, or is something ongoing.
Is a command for a people group for only a certain duration of time. Such as in the Mosaic Covenant. Or whether the commands given are not part of a particular covenant, are moral, and thus are timeless.
Lastly we look for historical evidence of continuance, such as early church reports or writings. If it is found as a normative practice in the New Testament that historically continued, we can be sure that it is expected of us today. However it must be stated that all of what is expected of us today need no historical continuance because the commands themselves are timeless.
Now that we have covered that, we can begin examining and if necessary: dismantling the scriptural claims that God is speaking to us in a Still Small Voice today.
Examining Scriptural Claims
CLAIM #1: “The Still Small Voice”
“And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”
The Claim States:
God chose to communicate in a soft, inward manner rather than dramatic signs. Advocates say this shows God speaks internally and gently to believers as He did to Elijah. Proponents of this view will cite 1 Kings 19:12 where Elijah experienced wind, earthquake, fire, and finally heard “a still small voice.”
Biblical Examination:
This view violates a number of things that render it rather easily dismantled.
This event was not normative. It was never repeated in History before or after.
The word used is qôl which literally means a physical, external noise. The word in Hebrew is rendered in English as: voice (383 times), noise (49 times), sound (39 times), thunder (10 times). Its root word means “to call aloud”. From a linguistic perspective, this word cannot mean a subjective inner feeling. Elijah was a prophet who received literal words from God, not vague impressions felt in the inner man, or a voice inside his head..
In the Hebrew text, the phrase “when Elijah heard” (כִּשְׁמֹעַ אֵלִיָּהוּ) uses the standard verb šāmaʿ in its normal sense of audible hearing, a term never used in Scripture to describe an unspoken inner voice, but was always tied to an external source that is physically perceived.
1 Kings 19:12 speaks of the audible voice of God as an external event, and not an internal one. Scripturally you cannot support the idea of an inward voice from this passage. The “still small voice” was audible by all accounts of biblical examination. Additionally, if one were still to argue it was an internal voice, what the passage records, happened only once in history. Never again or before was it reproduced and it is certainly not how believers are to hear from God today. Nowhere is it commanded, recorded, or even repeated in the New Testament. It is a standalone event, and while God is capable of doing anything He wishes, including speaking internally, there is no evidence to support He ever has, nor will ever do such a thing.
Again the still small voice was audible, and out of the over 100 times God speaks audibly in the Bible, exactly 0 are described as a vague inner voice or a quiet inward whisper that we must learn to tune into.
When God Spoke In The Bible
When God spoke:
The earth quaked (Exodus 19:18-19)
Moses’ face shone with glory (Exodus 34:29-30)
Elijah wrapped his face in a mantle and stood trembling (1 Kings 19:13)
Isaiah cried “Woe is me” when he saw the Lord (Isaiah 6:5)
Ezekiel fell on his face repeatedly (Ezekiel 1:28; 3:23; 43:3)
Daniel fainted and was sick for days (Daniel 8:27)
Paul was blinded and fell to the ground (Acts 9:3-9)
Peter, James, and John fell on their faces in fear when the Father spoke from heaven (Matthew 17:6)
Even John, the apostle, “fell at his feet as dead” when Christ spoke in Revelation (Revelation 1:17)
Each of these encounters with God’s voice produced tangible fear, awe, trembling, or physical reaction. None were private nudges, emotional signals, or soft impressions left to be vaguely interpreted. So the idea that the Voice of God can come upon you as a gentle inward nudge in your inner man, is completely against the whole host of Scripture that says otherwise. To argue that He does this today, is to argue from silence, and to argue against the normative experience Scripture gives. Scripture never instructs believers to expect this, as a means to hear from God. God does not change (Malachi 3:6), the way He spoke in the Old Testament, is the way He speaks today, audibly.
Whenever God spoke, it was recorded as Scripture, so should His word be recorded today if He were to speak again to us outside of Scripture. There is no biblical precedent for God delivering new, private revelations that are vague, unrecorded, or unverifiable. To claim such is to bypass God's ordained method of communication: the written Word.
CLAIM #2: “The Spirit teaches you”
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
The Claim States:
John 14:26 is proof that the Holy Spirit teaches believers through inner prompting or voice. Quiet revelatory thoughts, peace, or conviction are also used as Geiger counters to discern God’s intent in our lives. The phrase, “He shall teach you all things”, is interpreted to mean the Spirit actively reveals truth moment by moment in a conversational, relational way. This is believed to include real-time guidance or prompting on daily decisions, warnings of danger, or theological insights beyond the written Word through observation and realization.
Biblical Examination:
We wholeheartedly agree that the Holy Spirit does teach and guide us, the method by which He does so is by Scripture alone. It is by that very same Scripture that we can conclude this position with certainty. In John 17:17 the word says
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
No measure of personally derived theology based on emotional interpretation or an inward voice can overcome the weight and power of Scripture.
To deal with the passage at hand: we must state that the claim fundamentally ignores who Jesus was speaking to, and what He was promising. This was a prophecy that was later fulfilled through the Apostles, who were the ones being spoken to in this passage. The Greek word used in John 14:26 for “remembrance” is hypomnēsei (ὑπομνήσει), meaning to recall something already said. It does not mean to deliver something new. The Spirit was not promising novel insight, but supernatural recollection of Jesus’ actual words for the purpose of recording the New Testament and being given authority to write Scripture in the form of the epistles and letters. The promise in John 14:26 was specifically for those who heard Jesus teach in person, not us.
The phrase “bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” Is Jesus saying that all the things He has told them individually were going to be remembered by them, through the Holy Spirit. For the express purpose of raising up the Church, establishing doctrine (which they did through their letters) and to have it so His words would be preserved to us. This is not a command that is meant for Christians today, the direct context of the passage and verse, completely dismantles that idea. Also consider this, if God spoke to us inside of our heads, why is there no record of Jesus ever speaking to anyone inside their heads? Would it have been much better to do so through telepathy? Yet Jesus chose to speak to crowds, and even His own disciples with his mouth. That literally speaks volumes on the method which God uses for communication. Audible hearing, and nothing else.
Other Verses People Use
Now, we must address that there are other verses people use such as John 16:13 that says “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” It is important to remember the context of these Scriptures was Jesus speaking to His disciples. This last Scripture quoted, was during the Last Supper. These men had physically walked with Christ, heard His teachings, and were being commissioned to bear authoritative witness as apostles in the coming years.
This is not a promise that the Holy Spirit will give us new revelation, but it was a prophetic announcement by Jesus of how the Holy Spirit would bring to their remembrance the very words Jesus had physically spoken to them, as fulfilled in Luke 24:8, John 2:22, John 12:16 and so on. Jesus was not giving a universal promise to every believer about personal mystical guidance that’s extrabiblical. And for whatever new revelation given to the Apostles such as John in Revelation and Paul, it was done so directly by Christ.
Verses like Colossians 3:16, and James 1:21 teach us that we are guided by the Spirit through His word. It is important to understand the context of these verses as well as these are also used in the same manner.
1 John 2:27 tells us:
“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”
What Actual Revelation From God Looks Like
If anything can be said of an internal revelation, it is the one spoken of above, which comes from the Holy Spirit, upon reading the text of God. 1 Corinthians 2:14 confirms this very thing. That one who is unsaved is not able to discern the meaning of the text. The text is spiritually discerned. It is God who gives us the knowledge. And it is in fact one of the main ways God shows other men who is worthy of leading in the Church.
1 Corinthians 11:19 says “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.”
And 2 Timothy 2:15 says “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
God shows other men, who He has approved, by their ability to properly discern the Scriptures of God, through study. Therefore the meaning of 1 John 2:27 is to be understood within that. There is nothing in the text suggesting believers would receive continuous private instruction or new revelation outside of Scripture. And whatever revelation is received, it is one that is shared and established in Scripture that has been known by many for over two millennia. Meaning, what you learn in the Scriptures, if it be true, is only new to you, and not new to the ones who came before. The Truth of scripture is new to all the first they hear and understand it, but never is it uniquely new. Even in a darkened world of apostates and false converts, the truth of scripture abides continually from everlasting (Psalm 119:89).
The Word Is Sufficient
Furthermore, the Bible is explicit in how the Spirit instructs the Church today:
“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.” - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Scripture is enough. It either equips us fully and completely as this passage states, or it does not. If it does not, and if God is still “speaking” new things today outside His Word, then that would mean 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is false being it is clearly not sufficient. If it is false, then how can we trust any part of the Word, including the passage cited to indicate God does go against His Word.
But think of the irony, in teaching a theology that says God goes against His word now and gives us extrabiblical revelation, when His word says that all we need for perfection, and to be righteous, and thoroughly furnished unto good works is the completed word of God. The theology of hearing from God subtly teaches the blasphemous idea that God is a liar, and does not follow His own word. This we utterly reject, and strongly encourage all believers to as well. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is either true and His word is all we need to be made perfect, or it is untrue, and if so, then so would be God. This is a conclusion we cannot accept as Christians.
The Word of God, is either is complete, perfect, and supplies all we need to be doctrinally, and spiritually perfect as it says, or it’s not, and if it's not, by affirming God speaks to you outside of Scripture, is to say God has lied in His own word. Then God is by your belief not God at all, He is a liar according to you, and you blaspheme God as He truly is, Perfect, who cannot lie (Numbers 23:19,Titus 1:2,Hebrews 6:18).
I do know of one who is called a god, and is a liar, and I also know of one who attempts to elevate himself to the throne of God also. Which is your father if you elevate your own internal voice to that of God, and likewise have made your god a liar?
CLAIM #3: “Led by the Spirit” and “the Spirit beareth witness”
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
The Claim States:
Romans 8:14-16 is another verse that proves the Holy Spirit personally leads, prompts, and speaks to believers internally. Many claim that true Christians are “Spirit-led” in a direct, and intimate sense. They teach that the Spirit provides real-time guidance, subjective confirmation, and internal peace that affirms decisions or beliefs.
Being “led” is said to mean that the Holy Spirit will personally nudge a believer toward the right job, relationship, decision, or path, and if you are not experiencing this kind of guidance, don’t have the “Holy Spirit GPS”, you might not truly be a child of God as evidenced by your “fruits”.
Verse 16 is taken to reinforce this: that the Spirit “bearing witness” is a kind of divine whisper or inner knowing, a supernatural sense of peace, direction, or revelation that confirms either your salvation or your choices.
Many also use this verse to defend subjective truth claims, saying, “I just know this is what God wants because the Spirit confirmed it in me.” In this framework, internal impressions are placed on par with divine communication and almost certainly above the Word of God. The “witness” is not simply about identity in Christ, but a moment-by-moment spiritual feedback loop
Biblical Examination:
One does not need to try very hard to simply read the context and receive the plain meaning of this chapter and verse. It becomes evidently clear that Romans 8:14-16 is not about a mystical leading of impressions in the inward man but rather how the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.
Let’s break down the passage:
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God,” a declaration of truth stating that you will be led by the Spirit of God, if you are indeed a child of God.
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Explaining that we no longer need to fear the coming judgement of God, but our hearts can now cry Abba Father, which is to say, a loving close endearing connection to God, through Christ and His work on the cross, and our repentance and belief.
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Explaining that the Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. Which can be understood in a few ways.
It could be explained that this bearing witness is some sort of divine communication within our spirit of extra biblical messages and impressions, that magically surfaces to our minds, and allows us to be magical future telling, prophecy wielding, revelation giving witches and wizards.
Or it can be understood as saying alongside our spirit which bears witness, is the Holy Spirit bearing witness that we are children of God. In essence teaching us that through ourselves, inwardly and outwardly (which is what the context of Romans 8 is about) we are bearing witness of being children of God. Of which the Holy Spirit is a witness too, as being indwelt by Him.
The words for “beareth witness” is symmartyreō in the Greek, and literally means “bearing witness alongside”. It is a passive observation, not a form of communication. And even if one were to argue that this “bearing witness” is an active communication from the Holy Spirit. The active action it is doing is witnessing, not communicating. To argue this means some sort of divine communication is a stretch to say the least, and cannot be supported by the biblical text.
Understanding The Chapter
The entire chapter describes how those who are led by the Spirit are sons of God, and how that is evidenced both in the spiritual realm by the Spirit’s testimony and in our lives by our putting off of the flesh.
This is a chapter about sanctification and how true Christians have departed from iniquity and now walk according to the Spirit, not according to the flesh. There is zero indication in the text that this is meant to be interpreted as mystical inner guidance. In fact, the text refutes that idea completely, especially when examined with the original Greek.
Let’s look at the context that sets the stage:
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” - Romans 8:12-14
Paul is identifying the believer not by mystical impressions or divine whispers, but by a clear and total departure from sin and a life that is yielded to the Spirit through obedience.This is what defines what it means to be “led by the Spirit.” It is not promptings, inner nudges, confirmations, directional feelings. Or an inward voice. It is about living under the authority of God’s Word and departing from iniquity. Not one reference to decision-making guidance through those aforementioned things is mentioned here, nor anywhere else in Scripture. Instead, the Bible clearly defines our guidance through these verses:
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
The word is the lamp unto our feet, and the light unto our path, not inner feelings or promptings, not your gut, not your peace, not your emotions.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
We are not to lean on our own understanding, which includes trusting our own feelings, confirmations, internal impressions, and supposed “promptings.” Instead, we are to acknowledge God, that is, obey His commands, and then He will direct our paths. That does not mean giving us a whisper about which steps to take. It means He orders our life providentially in response to our obedience.
In Romans 8:14, the Greek word for “led” as in being led by the Spirit of God, is (ἄγονται - agontai) which means “to be guided, carried, or driven.” It is a passive verb. It refers to something that is done to the believer, not something he senses, feels, or discerns. It is never used to describe impressions or internal promptings anywhere in Scripture. For example, Luke 4:1,uses the same word:
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.”
We must acknowledge that God does indeed guide us, but no where is it taught it is through feelings, internal prompting, emotions, feelings, or a still small voice. Instead the way scripture talks about the Lord’s guidance is almost always in the presence of His word as that guiding force in our lives. And how through obedience to His word, we are in fact guided. This is also not to say that God does not orchestrate things outside of His word in our lives.
Every believer knows of, and has stories of a series of events, that moved them towards a specific objective or goal that otherwise would have been missed. But the key factor in all of these things, is never some sort of inward voice, or internal prompting, but the literal hand of God guiding us externally through life.
He directs our paths, He leads us. Our job is not to feel, or figure out, discern, and measure the vague spaces in between our hearts and minds to discern the hand of God, but to simply trust and obey His word, and let God guide us through life. Relying on anything but scripture as guidance, is to commit foolishness and ultimately a lack of trust in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, and thus, God.
CLAIM #4: “My Sheep Hear My Voice”
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
The Claim States:
That all true believers have a personal, two-way communication line with God. “My sheep hear my voice” is interpreted to mean that every Christian can and should hear God speaking directly to them in a way that is:
Continuous
Personal
Relational
Beyond Scripture
This includes:
Inward whispers
A “knowing” in the spirit
Emotional confirmations
Vivid thoughts that are believed to be divinely planted
It's also used to exclude people who reject this idea, implying, “If you don’t hear His voice like I do, maybe you're not one of His sheep.”
Biblical Examination:
It is important to understand John 10 is not about mystical inner dialogue. It’s about recognizing Christ as the Messiah. The “voice” refers to Jesus’ public teaching and His identity as the true shepherd (see verses 1-5, 14-16) and how His sheep Hear (believe). “And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” - John 10:5
This is not about personal decision-making or inner promptings, it’s about how those who are truly saved, will flock to Christ and none other. The saying comes from how real sheep in those days, and even today, do in fact flock to their shepherd and follow Him. If another man comes to the sheep fold and calls the sheep with his audible voice, they will not come, but if the True Shepard comes, and calls them, they know His voice, and they come.
Additionally the Word “voice” (Greek: φωνὴν - phōnēn) refers to audible speech in the Gospels. There is no indication this is about spiritual “sensing” or silent prompting. Christ is literally teaching in public, with His actual voice. Those who are His sheep believe Him and follow Him because they know the voice of the True Shepard.
Also let’s look at the parallel in John 8:43-47
“Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.”
Clearly they could physically hear Him. But that is where the hearing stopped. It is often said the difference between true and false conversion is the 18 inch journey from the head to the heart, and this is what Jesus is saying. They heard Him yes, but they did not receive His message, and the Lord’s sheep are those who willingly hear and receive His message. This is what makes them His sheep. They follow His voice in obedience and truth, for He is Truth (John 14:6).“My sheep hear my voice” is not a reference to divine ongoing communication, it is a reference to those who not only hear the message of Christ, but come to Him in humble submission, obeying the Truth of Christ, repenting and believing in Him for everlasting life.
The False Teacher/Prophet Warning
The Warnings
Scripture repeatedly warns about the seriousness of claiming to speak for God when He has not spoken. In 2 Peter 2, we are told that many false prophets will arise, bringing in damnable heresies, damning themselves, and bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
In Jeremiah 14:14-15, the Lord declares that these prophets speak lies in His name, and that He did not send them, command them, or speak to them. He promises that they will utterly perish for their deception.
In Jeremiah 28, the false prophet Hananiah publicly contradicted the word of the Lord, even fabricating a symbolic act by breaking the yoke from Jeremiah’s neck. The Lord’s judgment was swift, Hananiah died within the year.
The Implications
God in Scripture is very clear from the Old to New Testaments that speaking lies in God’s name is no small matter. Scripture warns that those who take this path place themselves under the judgment of God, forfeiting their share in salvation and proving themselves unworthy of eternal life, just as Hebrews 6:4-8 and 2 Peter 2:20-21 describe.
Because of this, Christians ought to be extremely careful saying that their inner feelings, promptings, and what they call “God” speaking to them is in fact God. Because if you are wrong, deceived, or lying, you should expect the judgement of 2 Peter 2.
This may sound harsh, but consider this. What is the greatest thing in existence? Is it not the Lord God? When people flock to the television to hear the President speak, do they not pay him honor? How much more when the Great One of Israel, the God and Father speaks a single Word toward us? When God speaks, the earth trembles, people fall on their knees, and never ever has it ever been described as an internal small voice, but always external.
A person thinks God speaks to them inside their head, yet disregards all the things He has already spoken in His word. Children die in Bombings, but God directs you which turkey to buy for pagan Easter celebrations? Can it be that you have exalted YOUR OWN inner voice to the place of Scripture and the Words of God, committing great blasphemy every time?
This is not a trivial matter folks. To attribute your own thoughts, impressions, or feelings to the Lord is to risk standing before Him as a false prophet. It is a salvific issue, because Scripture makes no allowance for those who misrepresent God’s words. God is not a God of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). Yet those who promote subjective inner revelations create confusion, both for themselves and for those they influence. They may be utterly convinced that what they “heard” was from God, but self-deception does not justify false prophecy, nor does it excuse flagrant blasphemy.
It is absurd to think that God would remain silent toward entire nations in crisis, yet take the time to tell you which coffee to buy. The God of Scripture never spoke in vague, cryptic riddles that required the hearer to sift through impressions to guess at His meaning. His word was and is, clear, direct, and undeniable.
Even the Apostle Peter who heard the voice of God pointed to the fact that though he heard God’s voice, Scripture was more sure than any subjective experience one has.
Peter Defeated This Doctrine 2000 Years Ago
Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:16-21
“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
Peter was discussing in this passage how he heard the voice of God on the mount of transfiguration speaking of His beloved Son, in whom He is well pleased. And then immediately points to scripture as a “more sure word of prophecy” concerning Jesus Christ then the very voice he heard which was God.
He is not saying that God’s voice carries less weight than Scripture, he is simply saying what God already has in Psalm 138:2 “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”
God magnifies His word above His own name. And Peter is saying to us, that even though he has heard the REAL voice of God… He has something even surer than his experience, and that is the Word of God.
Decieving Spirits
Keep in mind there are deceiving spirits out there, and it is said by Jesus that the lies of Satan in lying signs and wonders will be so great, that it will deceive the very elect, if it were possible to actually do that. Or in other words Matthew 24:24 says that those who do not have the Holy Spirit, stand no chance against the power of the lying signs and wonders. Peter’s point is not that the Father’s words were unreliable, but that the written Word is even more reliable because it is permanent, unchanging, and available to all. Peter’s argument dismantles modern claims of inner whispers: even if one could hear an audible voice as Peter did, Scripture is still the higher authority.
One might say “Yea, well… I heard God so you are wrong” Peter would respond with “I heard Him too, yet we have a more sure word of prophecy.”
And now, even those words from Peter, have become Scripture for us, thus cementing this teaching eternally.
They Reject The Word Over Their Feelings
Many who seek these “words from God” do so while neglecting the Word already given. They will ignore clear biblical commands that confront their sin, yet eagerly obey an imagined inner whisper that makes them feel special. This reveals the real problem, a lust for spiritual experiences to feel special or enlightened that replaces submission to God’s written revelation, all the while denying the commands of scripture.
Jesus declared, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
If the eternal Word will outlast creation itself, how much more should we trust it above fleeting feelings? To regard Scripture as less valuable than so-called “fresh revelation” is to despise what God esteems. And to say that God has spoken to you is to say His word is insufficient which violates 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Those who lack the Holy Spirit often attempt to fabricate religious experiences in order to convince themselves and others that they have spiritual life. But the Spirit’s true work is not in supplying novel messages; it is in regenerating, sanctifying, and empowering through the Word.
The sobering reality is that claiming “God told me” when He did not is the very definition of a false prophet.
And the biblical penalty for such presumption is severe.
Many people seek special treatment in hearing from God, claiming unique promptings or inner voices, while neglecting the Word He has already given. Scripture has been divinely preserved for instruction, yet it is often set aside in favor of personal impressions. When a command in Scripture is difficult or unwelcome, it is commonly ignored, while inward feelings are elevated above God’s sufficient Word. Yet heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s Word will remain. In comparison, inward promptings amount to nothing when set beside the eternal authority of the Holy Scriptures.
HOW GOD DOES GUIDE YOU
The Psychology of Your Internal Monologue
Something not to be discounted is the real existence of the inner voice many people have, a mental narration or “internal monologue” that plays in the mind. It is not God, nor is it divine in nature. It is you.
You with all your beliefs, determinations, and convictions which are not all in perfect alignment with God and His Word, even for the best of us. To trust this internal monologue as if it were God’s voice is to exalt yourself to the place of God, a blasphemy compounded when one declares, “Thus saith the Lord.”
What a great crime it is when the depth of such depravity is truly realized. Not only is there no biblical precedent for hearing God’s voice “inside your head,” there is also psychological evidence showing it is most likely nothing more than your own thoughts reflected back to you.
Addressing The Feelings People Attribute to God
Now some will say, “I know God led me to speak to that person,” or, “I felt a strong urge to pray, share the Gospel, or something else, and later it made perfect sense,” or, “I just knew I had to go that way, and I avoided disaster.” These kinds of statements are used often, not just by charismatics, but by many sincere believers, who would agree with everything we have said thus far, yet cannot shake the reality of that experience.
The problem is that experience is not the measure of truth. Feelings and impressions are unreliable. They may line up with God’s will, or they may not and that uncertainty is exactly why Scripture never points us to them as a source of guidance. When we trust in these uncertain feelings to guide our lives, we place internal reflection above the authority of His Word.
This does not mean God is absent from our lives or indifferent to our steps. Surely He directs us, but the Bible is clear that He does so through His Word and His providential ordering of events, not by inserting secret commands into our minds. Proverbs 3:6 says
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
The Holy Spirit convicts of sin (John 16:8), provides a way of escape from temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13), guides into truth (1 John 2:27), and sanctifies the believer through the Word (John 17:17). He is also grieved when we sin (Ephesians 4:30), and can be resisted (Acts 7:51). The Spirit is not an impersonal force; He is God, present, intimate, and active within the believer. However, nowhere does Scripture say He communicates through untraceable “nudges” or vague mental whispers or feelings to preach or pray. These are likely again, just you recognizing the need to do what the Bible has already commanded. Do not elevate these feelings towards God, and call it God, and blaspheme.
When a believer recognizes the need to pray, or obey Scripture by preaching the Gospel, this is not new revelation or divine speech. It is the conscience and the inner man, shaped by the Word of God, responding to what is already written. The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to sanctify and steer the child of God. That’s what Scripture says.
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” - John 17:17
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...” - Colossians 3:16
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind...” - Romans 12:2
When the Word of God fills a man, it produces godly thoughts, desires, and instincts that align with God’s Word. This is not to confuse your own desires with God’s however. Not everything you think and feel and believe is correct. This is why we never rely on ourselves, but only the Word of God.
What many call a “prompting” is likely just a process of psychology, where the observant person notices key details, remembers truths that they have accepted into their hearts, and feels a strong urge to act on them.
People call that God, they call that the Holy Spirit, and in an indirect sense they are correct, but really what is happening from a psychological perspective, is that a person is simply acting on truth that is already in them when compared to their circumstance.
Convictions Change, But God Does Not
A very good real world proof of this, is our convictions. A lot of Christians will say they either “do” or “do not” feel convicted about something. Then later, that same Christian will change their position on that matter as sanctification takes place. So tell me, was the Holy Spirit not speaking to them when they were not convicted? And only is speaking to them now that they are?
Is God a God who only sometimes demands you obey His word? Or always? And if so, is He so weak to not be able to give you those feelings before you were convicted?
If that were to be true, and our inward feelings of conviction were our guide, all of us would be perfect already, with no need for Scripture. But the fact that our convictions change, and change in accordance to sanctification in the Word of God, shows us that your convictions are once again just you.
So when a Christian says they operated based on a conviction or lack thereof, they are really just saying, “I did what I wanted”. Your convictions are based on your heart, and the heart is wickedly deceptive:Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
The only way we are guided by God is through the Word of God, and by His divine Orchestration in our lives, despite our convictions, thoughts, beliefs, or preparedness.
SUMMING THIS ALL UP
Scripture nowhere instructs believers to seek or follow inner promptings as God’s voice, and attaching “Thus saith the Lord” to private impressions is unsafe and often condemned. Normative guidance is by the written Word, wisdom, prayer, counsel, and providence, with God’s extraordinary speech being public, clear, and verifiable in redemptive history.
Here are some things to remember from this:
Scripture is sufficient for all guidance and godliness and we need nothing else: “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.”2 Timothy 3:16-17
Scripture is more sure than any form of current prophecy, sign, or revelation. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:”2 Peter 1:19
God’s warning against becoming a false prophet is severe judgement, even unto hell. “Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:3-32“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3
Providential guidance happens apart from nudges, emotions, and inner feelings: “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”Genesis 50:20
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”Proverbs 3:6
Consider this: Why is it, one feels an unbearable need to preach the Gospel, but yet another casually walks by letting his brother preach alone, or fails to feel the same conviction?
There were times before where I did not feel the need to share the Gospel with everyone I could, yet when I read the word which told me that if I do not warn a wicked man of his ways, I am guilty of his blood (Ezekiel 3:18-21). Suddenly through the word, I received conviction, and through that conviction I was emboldened to preach.
Did not the Holy Spirit always intend me to preach, why then before without the Word did I feel nothing? Is it not the word which changed me, is it not the mind being renewed (Romans 12:2) and the spirit being sanctified by the Spirit of Truth through the word of God in which we are sanctified by thy truth (John 17:17) and receive faith by the hearing of the word (Romans 10:17), that causes us to act?
So is it a prompting when we feel emboldened to preach, or our emotions responding to the need to obey the Word planted deep within us through study and acceptance?
Inner peace and personal promptings are not biblical categories. But the power of the Word of God to transform a man’s inner life and outward actions is.
The mystery is this: it is not feelings that lead us, but the Word planted in us, used by the Holy Spirit, producing obedience and boldness and conviction.
That is not a mystical revelation. That is sanctification.
To claim otherwise, is to insist God speaks through extra-biblical feelings, thoughts, impressions, or inner voices. And to do that is to make void the sufficiency of Scripture and commit blasphemy against God, and the nature of God's revelation.
God’s voice is always described as authoritative, direct, and clearly understood. God is not a “god” of confusion, and in no instance is his voice a mumble or needs to be discerned further. God’s instructions are clear and unmistakable. When Jesus perceived the disciples didn’t understand what He was saying, He explained it further audibly, and not by internal impressions.
When God audibly called Samuel’s name to get his attention, Samuel knew it was the Lord. From Scripture we cannot see anywhere that God gives "impressions" or “instructions” that later need to be figured out what He meant and what your response should be. That has never happened in Scripture even once. Not only this, but it certainly is not something we are told in Scripture will happen to us, nor should we expect it.
FINAL CHARGE
I pray that this publication has opened your eyes, and will help you walk with greater understanding. To avoid teachers who claim God leads through extra-biblical means, and to trust alone in the Word of God, as preserved perfectly for us in English in the King James Bible.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”Romans 16:17-18
Be not deceived brothers and sisters, it is indeed a false unbiblical teaching from false prophets who teach you should expect to hear the voice of God in your inner men. Such men and women shall have their just reward in the day of judgement. For you, be strong in the faith, and encouraged.
Encourage others to read this, so they might also be set free from such false teaching. Many go doubting their faith as they expect to hear from God, yet hear nothing. Or others go into heresy, delusion, and ultimately throw their lives away because they chose to manifest this voice by “Listening and waiting” while ignoring the sufficiency of Scripture right in front of them. Many have been brought low to lose house, and home, and many a thing, because they trusted in themselves, and called it God, instead of the Holy unerring Word of God.
For those you know that are stuck in this theology, pray for them, that God would draw them out by any means necessary and that He would show them the truth. Send them this, and ask them for their thoughts.
People in this theology are generally lost, seeking some kind of sign, or feeling, or inward prompting, and in the end they end up taking whatever feels best, instead of what is best, and to their own destruction they are led. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters, that they may come out of this delusion, and walk in the glorious light of the Word of God.
Walk in the Spirit by walking in the Word (Galatians 5:16; Galatians 5:25; John 17:17).
Trust not your inward thoughts, but God’s revealed truth (Proverbs 28:26; Jeremiah 17:9; Psalm 119:160).
Let His Word be the lamp to your feet and the light to your path (Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:130).
I leave you a quote from “The Puritans and The Bible:”
“...If their ‘private revelations’ agree with Scripture, they are needless, and if they disagree, they are false.”
SUPPORT THIS ARTICLE
