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Following God's plan for your life starts with listening. But how do we know what we're listening for—or if we’re listening to the right voice? There are a lot of voices that speak to us, but God gives us ways to “fact check” what we hear so we know it’s truly from him.
One is Scripture. God speaks most clearly through the Bible. When you the Bible and process what it says (like you’re doing now!), it helps you know what things align with God's heart—and what doesn’t. God will never steer you toward choices that go against his values.
Another is the wise counsel of others. Trusted friends, mentors, or pastors can help confirm or clarify what God might be saying or offer perspective you can’t always see on your own. These aren’t just any people—these are people that you know are also seeking God’s wisdom and living it out in their lives.
The final one is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides us with quiet thoughts, feelings, or convictions that prompt you toward certain actions. The Holy Spirit is God—specifically, God living in you.
Learning to pick God’s voice out from the noise takes practice. You might journal when a verse keeps coming back to you, ask a friend for insight on a decision, or pause to reflect on those inner promptings from the Spirit before acting. Over time, these practices make God’s guidance easier to recognize, giving you confidence that he is present, attentive, and guiding your steps even when life feels uncertain.
Reflect: Which of these—Scripture, godly counsel, or Spirit nudges—do you gravitate toward the most when trying to recognize God’s voice? How could you lean more intentionally on one of them this week?
Pray: God, help me recognize the ways you speak through your Word, the people around me, and the quiet promptings of the Holy Spirit. Give me clarity to discern and courage to follow. Amen.