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3 Ways to Improve Your Ability to Hear the Holy Spirit

Readings / April 7, 2016

One of the biggest questions people ask is “How do I hear the Holy Spirit?” They think there must be a magic formula involved—and while there isn’t a 1-2-3 magic formula, there are disciplines that you can implement to put yourself in the place of hearing the Holy Spirit more clearly. Remember, He’s always speaking; it’s just a matter of opening your spiritual ears to hear Him. Let’s look at three ways that you can improve your ability to hear the Holy Spirit.

#1 Hear the Holy Spirit when you Focus on the Word

One of the most effective ways to improve your ability to hear the Holy Spirit is by focusing on God’s Word. In John 15:7, Jesus said, “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”

How do you know when you have been focusing enough on the Word? The Holy Spirit talks to you through it! He directs your thoughts as you go about your day. He brings it to your mind when challenges arise, and helps you know what to do.

You focus on the Word by spending time in it. You can’t just read it casually every now and then. You have to be diligent to read your Bible and reflect on it every day and obey it. Treat it like the priceless treasure it is.

#2 Hear the Holy Spirit when you Listen to God’s People

The Holy Spirit isn’t only speaking to you; He’s speaking to all of God’s people. Sometimes those people have received a message from the Lord for the church, like when the Lord spoke through the Apostles or when the Lord gives Kenneth Copeland a prophecy. Other times, the Holy Spirit uses those people to share a special message specifically for you. By listening to trusted faith ministers and even Spirit-led friends and family members, you can hear the Holy Spirit’s direction.

Now, that doesn’t mean you should listen to every person, or even every Christian, who believes that God wants them to tell you something. Make sure those people are Spirit-filled, Spirit-led and full of faith. Watch the Believer’s Voice of Victory broadcast, read the Believer’s Voice of Victory magazine, attend a faith-filled church, build friendships with believers in those churches, and join KCM’s faith-filled online community and build relationships there.

#3 Hear the Holy Spirit when you Listen in Prayer

Do you find yourself doing all the talking in your prayer time with the Lord? If you never get quiet enough to listen, how will you ever hear what the Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart?

When you pray, spend some time praising God for His goodness and thanking Him for all He has done for you (Psalm 100:4). Then ask Him for what you need (Philippians 4:13). After that, get quiet. Prayer is not a one-way conversation. Make sure that you give the Holy Spirit a chance to speak. He may bring a scripture or song to your mind. He may bring a person to mind that needs prayer. Or He may give you direction for your day or even an answer for a prayer request.

Keeping a prayer journal is another great way to identify the Holy Spirit’s voice. Write down what you’ve asked the Lord for and the different ways He has answered those prayers. Write the thoughts He brings to your mind. As you put this into practice, you’ll begin to understand how the Holy Spirit works in and through you. You’ll begin to hear (and read) His answers.

The Holy Spirit is talking. It’s up to you to hear Him clearly. By putting these three keys into practice, you’ll improve your ability to hear the Holy Spirit, and you’ll have the joy of living a Spirit-led life!

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How Do I Hear God’s Voice?

Do you ever have trouble hearing from God? Do you ever find yourself caught in confusing circumstances needing guidance, and yet even after praying and reading the Bible, you’re still not sure what God wants you to do?

When faced with a decision, a typical response would be to pray about it. The Amplified Bible says to let peace be the umpire (Colossians 3:15). But even so, there can still be uncertainty about the answer. “Was that me, Lord, or was that You?” The good news is that when we spend time daily praying in the spirit, it becomes easier for us to hear the direction of the Holy Spirit as He reveals His will to our spirits.

This can be an area of confusion when we are learning to walk in the spirit. Most of the time you hear your own spirit speaking to your soul, which is your mind, will and emotions. The audible voice of the Lord is rare in most of our lives. Almost every leading we will receive in everyday life will be a prompting, an impression, a thought, an inward witness or a leading from our spirits. The reason it sounds like us is because it is ourselves that we hear. The Holy Spirit communicates with our spirits, and our spirits prompt, or enlighten, our minds.

When you were born again, God sent His Holy Spirit to live in you and be your teacher and trainer to help you live a life that is pleasing to God. That’s why, as Christians, we don’t have to depend on our own limited reasoning. We can live guided by the Spirit who knows all things. In fact, if we’ll listen to Him on a daily basis, He’ll steer us clear of hidden dangers and maneuver us safely through even the most complicated situations. How do you let Him steer you? Don’t resist the promptings of the Spirit. When you sense Him directing you to do something and you decide, consciously or unconsciously, No, I don’t want to do that, I think I’ll go another way, you’ve just hardened your heart.

It’s being consistent in the things of God that causes us to walk in victory. So how do you fulfill the will of God for your life? One day at a time. If you’ll begin to spend time with Him daily and pray in the spirit. Start today by making a commitment to do just the simple things He tells you to do. Start seeking His face, listening for His promptings and responding in obedience instead of hardening your heart. And He will bring you into His perfect will if you’ll just obey Him one step at a time, one day at a time.