The Sound of Abiding: Learning to Hear the Voice of God
I. The Culture of Abiding Produces a Prophetic People
When Jesus spoke to His disciples in John 15, He gave them the key to a fruitful life. He didn’t promise ease or comfort, but He did promise power—power that flows from abiding.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”
(John 15:5–8, NKJV)
Abiding is more than devotion—it is alignment with the voice of God. To abide is to remain, to stay connected, to live from a place of union. In the secret place, we are not merely comforted—we are commissioned. God uses the abiding life to shape our desires, reveal His will, and empower us to declare and release that will on earth.
We cannot speak with heaven’s authority if we are disconnected from heaven’s presence.
You cannot declare like a king until you have listened like a priest.
II. The Many Ways God Speaks
(Based on my eBook “Incline Your Ear”)
“God is always speaking—we’ve just stopped inclining our ear.”
God doesn’t have a speaking problem—we have a listening one. Scripture shows us that He speaks in a variety of ways, not to confuse us, but to confirm and reveal His heart in every season. Here are 12 biblical ways God speaks to His people:
1. The Written Word (Logos)
The Logos is the inspired, written Word of God. It is the foundation for all revelation and the primary way we test every other voice.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
(2 Timothy 3:16, NKJV)
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword… and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
(Hebrews 4:12, NKJV)
2. The Spoken Word (Rhema)
Rhema refers to the freshly spoken word of God that applies to your specific moment or circumstance. It may come through Scripture, prayer, or a direct impression from the Spirit.
“But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”’”
(Matthew 4:4, NKJV)
3. The Still Small Voice (Spirit-Led Thoughts)
God often speaks through spontaneous thoughts that enter our minds quickly but carry spiritual clarity. He speaks at the speed of thought—not outside of our mental process, but within it.
“…and after the fire a still small voice.”
(1 Kings 19:12, NKJV)
These thoughts are not loud or forceful. They often resemble our own voice internally, but they carry peace, conviction, or direction. This is the “still small voice” that gently leads the yielded heart.
4. The Inner Witness / Knowing
The inner witness is a deep, spiritual sense that confirms or cautions. It's not analytical—it's a spiritual "yes" or "no" that brings peace or warning.
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
(Romans 8:16, NKJV)
This witness grows stronger as we walk in holiness, yielding daily to the Holy Spirit.
5. Dreams and Visions
God has always used imagery to speak to His people. Dreams (while asleep) and visions (while awake or in a trance-like state) are vivid spiritual communications.
“Your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.”
(Joel 2:28, NKJV)
God uses this language of the Spirit to bypass the clutter of our minds and plant messages directly into our imagination.
6. The Audible Voice of God
Although rare, God can and has spoken audibly when the moment demands undeniable clarity.
“Then he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’”
(Acts 9:4, NKJV)
“And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”
(Matthew 3:17, NKJV)
7. Angelic Visitations
God sends His messengers to deliver words of instruction, reassurance, or direction.
“And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!’”
(Luke 1:28, NKJV)
8. Prophetic Words from Others
God may use mature, Spirit-filled believers to deliver a word that edifies, exhorts, or confirms what He’s already speaking to your spirit.
“But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.”
(1 Corinthians 14:3, NKJV)
9. Spiritual Leadership
God often uses those in leadership to help us recognize and respond to His voice.
“Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.”
(1 Samuel 3:9–10, NKJV)
Eli trained Samuel to respond, and God honored that training with a divine encounter.
10. Creation / Nature
Creation speaks daily of God’s glory and character.
“The heavens declare the glory of God… Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.”
(Psalm 19:1–2, NKJV)
11. Life Circumstances / Divine Interruptions
Sometimes God opens or closes doors to direct your path.
“…He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.”
(Revelation 3:7, NKJV)
Not every closed door is the enemy. Often, it’s God’s redirection.
12. Creative Expression
God uses music, writing, visual art, and more to stir our spirit and communicate truth.
From psalms to parables, the Bible is filled with Spirit-inspired creativity used to draw people into divine truth.
III. Logos and Rhema: What God Has Said and What God Is Saying
Understanding the difference between Logos and Rhema is key to hearing God accurately.
Logos (λόγος) is the written, enduring Word of God. It reveals His eternal character and establishes moral and doctrinal truth.
“In the beginning was the Word (Logos), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
(John 1:1, NKJV)
Rhema (ῥῆμα) is the freshly spoken Word of God. It’s what the Spirit quickens in the moment—often flowing out of the Logos as you read, pray, or worship.
“The words (Rhema) that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”
(John 6:63, NKJV)
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (Rhema) of God.”
(Romans 10:17, NKJV)
“Then Mary said, ‘Let it be to me according to your word (Rhema).’”
(Luke 1:38, NKJV)
Rhema never contradicts Logos. If you don’t know what God has said, you won’t be able to discern what He is saying.
IV. Discerning God’s Voice from Other Voices
Jesus made it clear that His sheep will recognize His voice.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
(John 10:27, NKJV)
But we must also learn to discern the difference between God’s voice, our own thoughts, and the voice of the enemy.
God’s voice brings clarity, peace, correction, and confidence.
Your voice may sound reasonable but can be clouded by emotion, fear, or self-interest.
The enemy’s voice is deceptive, manipulative, condemning, or flattering.
“He [Satan] is a liar and the father of it.”
(John 8:44, NKJV)
The key to discernment is intimacy. The more time you spend with someone, the easier it becomes to recognize their voice.
V. Abiding Trains Your Ear to Hear
Hearing is not automatic—it’s trained. And training happens in the place of abiding.
“I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me…”
(Habakkuk 2:1, NKJV)
“Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak…”
(James 1:19, NKJV)
Abiding tunes your spirit to God’s frequency. The more you sit with Him, the more attuned you become to even His whispers. In the noise of life, it’s easy to miss Him. But in the stillness, every word becomes amplified.
VI. Prophetic Prayer: Declare What You Hear
God doesn’t just want us to talk to Him—He wants us to speak for Him.
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us…”
(Romans 8:26–27, NKJV)
When we pray from Rhema, our words are aligned with His will. We pray:
With alignment, not ambition
With authority, not anxiety
With confidence, not confusion
Don’t declare what you wish—declare what you’ve heard.
VII. From Priest to King: Posture Before Power
Before we rule, we must first kneel. Revelation says Jesus made us both kings and priests:
“…To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father…”
(Revelation 1:5–6, NKJV)
As a priest, you minister to God.
As a king, you represent God in the earth.
Many people attempt to pray like kings without first listening like priests. But kingdom authority is always rooted in intimacy. Worship opens the heavens. Obedience brings heaven to earth.
VIII. Final Challenge: Consecrate Your Hearing
The prophet Jeremiah once said:
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.”
(Jeremiah 15:16, NKJV)
If you want to hear God clearly, you must treat His voice like nourishment.
Practical Action Steps:
Fast from distractions—social media, toxic noise, and fear-driven news.
Schedule daily stillness and solitude.
Read Scripture slowly, meditating on what you’re reading and allowing space for God to speak.
Journal your impressions and dreams.
Test everything with the Word.
Obey quickly. Clarity grows through obedience.
God is still speaking. Not randomly—but intimately, precisely, and constantly.
The real question is not whether He is speaking…
It’s whether we’re listening.
This is the sound of abiding.
-Ryan Cole