Does God Still Speak?

David Gaikwad
Jul 12
3 min read

Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me"

Key Scripture: John 10:27

Let me ask you something honestly. When was the last time you sat in prayer and actually waited for God to say something back?

Most of us don't. I understand why. We talk to God-we bring Him our requests, our worries, our thank yous and then we say amen and get on with our day. But think about what that would look like in any other relationship. Imagine a marriage where only one person ever talks. Imagine a friendship where your friend never once responds. No matter how much love there was at the start, that relationship would slowly go quiet and grow cold.

And yet somehow we've accepted that this is normal with God.

Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27). Read that again slowly. He didn't say "My prophets hear My voice." He didn't say "My pastors." He said My sheep-ordinary people like you and me who belong to the Shepherd. Hearing God was never meant to be a privilege for a spiritual elite. It's for every believer.

God Has Always Wanted to Talk With Us

Go back to the very first pages of the Bible. In the cool of the evening, God walks in the garden, calling out for Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8–9). He didn't create us just to hand down commands from a distance. He made us for closeness. For conversation. Prayer was never supposed to be one-way traffic.

All through Scripture, God speaks-to Abraham under the stars, to Moses at a burning bush, to Samuel in the middle of the night, to David, Elijah, Mary, Peter, Paul. And here's where we usually let ourselves off the hook. We read those stories and quietly think, "Well, those were special people. That could never be me."

But Romans 15:4 says everything written in the past was written to teach us. These aren't exceptions to admire from a distance. They're examples to follow.

Remember, Samuel was just a boy when God called his name-and he got it wrong at first. He ran to Eli, thinking the voice was human. He had to learn to recognize God's voice (1 Samuel 3:10). That should encourage you. So do we. It grows with the relationship, the way a child learns the sound of their father calling them home.

So How Does God Speak Today?

In many ways-but always in line with His character and His written Word. He speaks through Scripture, our unshakable foundation (2 Timothy 3:16). Through the Holy Spirit guiding us into truth (John 16:13). Through those inner promptings and convictions we can't quite shake (Romans 8:16). Through the wise counsel of godly people (Proverbs 11:14). Through circumstances that open doors or close them (Acts 16:6–10). Even through dreams and visions (Acts 2:17).

One caution: whatever we think we've heard, we test it. Does it agree with Scripture? Does it sound like Jesus? Does it lead us toward truth and obedience? If not, it wasn't Him.

From Knowing About God to Knowing God

Exodus 33:11 says the Lord spoke to Moses "face to face, as one speaks to a friend." There's a world of difference between reading someone's biography and actually sitting across the table from them. God is inviting you to the table.

So here's something to try today. Find a quiet corner. Take five unhurried minutes. Ask, "Holy Spirit, what do You want me to understand about my relationship with You?" Then just be still. Write down whatever Scripture, thought, or gentle impression comes-and test it against God's Word.

It might feel awkward at first. Most new conversations do.