The voice of God matters. Deeply. Profoundly. It’s the pinnacle of our faith journey—the foundation upon which everything else rests. If we can’t clearly hear His voice, how can we follow Him fully? (John 10:27)

Over the past eight years of launching our evangelistic ministry, we’ve witnessed over two million people come to Christ. And through it all, one thing has remained essential: learning to discern His voice. It hasn’t always been easy. In fact, it can be incredibly confusing. That’s why this is so vital.

God often speaks through people—friends, enemies, children, strangers, the rich, the poor. I’ve experienced all of these firsthand. But just as God can use people, so can the enemy—especially when hearts aren’t fully surrendered (2 Corinthians 11:14–15). And to make it more complex, the same person can sometimes be used by both God and the enemy in different seasons.

Here are just a few things I’ve heard—in the same week:

“You’re so humble.” / “You’re full of pride.”

“Your faith is inspiring.” / “You don’t have enough faith.”
“You’re doing things by the world’s system.” / “You’re walking by heaven’s design.”
“You’re incredibly generous and sacrificial.” / “You’re hoarding—giving is the key to your breakthrough.”
“You’re foolish.” / “You’re wise beyond your years.”
“You’re mature for your age.” / “You’re still immature—you’ll understand when you're older.”
“Your heart for souls moves me.” / “You’re using soul-winning to build your platform.”

That’s just a sample. There are more—but you get the idea. Spiritual warfare is real (Ephesians 6:12). Picking up our cross daily isn’t optional—it’s essential (Luke 9:23). It keeps us humble, dependent, and aligned with the Father’s heart. This should be the norm for every believer.
In my journey, I’ve often witnessed the sharp contrast between how people perceive us—and how freely they feel led to share their perceptions, often saying, “God told me to tell you.” But here’s what I’ve learned: hearing God's voice through people is not the same as hearing God as your source.

Yes, God can use others to bring confirmation—powerful moments that align with what He’s already whispered to your spirit (2 Corinthians 13:1). But those same voices, if not filtered through discernment, can also derail you. Some well-meaning words have prematurely ended what God was just beginning to birth.

If your foundation is built on human voices, you’ll live in constant confusion—chasing words from conference to conference, prophet to prophet, always seeking the next directive (2 Timothy 4:3–4). But when your life is anchored in His voice, what others say becomes exactly what it’s meant to be: confirmation, not direction.

For this to become your reality, you must prioritize hearing Him daily. Jesus often withdrew to hear the Father’s voice (Luke 5:16). If He needed that place of intimacy, how much more do we?

Jesus told His disciples, “Watch and pray” (Matthew 26:41). Watching speaks to discernment—being spiritually aware of what’s happening around you (1 Peter 5:8). Prayer is the invitation to communion with God, where heaven’s blueprints are revealed (Jeremiah 33:3). Yes, God may echo His plans through others, but His greatest desire is direct relationship with you (John 15:15).

I’m far from perfect—I don’t bat 1,000. Even the greatest hitters in baseball only reach base once out of every three times. But I believe we can do better than that when we abide in Christ and lean into His voice (John 15:4–5). Let it fill every hidden place of your life. Let it grow you, guide you, and ground you.

One final thought that’s worth mentioning: this life of faith isn’t a solo mission. We walk this out in partnership (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10). I need you, and you need me. That’s how God designed it.

I’m reminded of those dreaded group projects in school. I used to hate them—because there was always someone who didn’t do their part. The rest of us would scramble, trying to cover for the missing piece, so we wouldn’t all fail. Maybe you’ve been there.

But I also remember a few rare group projects where everyone actually contributed. Many hands made light work (Proverbs 27:17). If someone slipped, others lifted them up. We didn’t just succeed—we exceeded expectations, because we were unified and everyone did their part (Psalm 133:1).

Ministry is no different. I’ve always known I can’t do this alone. Even when God speaks something to me and I walk it out publicly, there’s a whole team—seen and unseen—who must also play their part.

I remember one donor who gave a sizable gift to help fund a crusade. When they finally gave, they apologized. I was surprised. It was a huge breakthrough. But they said, “The Lord told me to give this four or five weeks ago. I wrestled with it. I’m sorry I delayed—because I know it put unnecessary pressure on you.”

That moment moved me. I was grateful, but also reflective. Sometimes we really are hearing God, walking faithfully in obedience, yet we’re still waiting on others to step into their own assignment. It’s like a hundred-person group project. Everyone has a part to play. When we all do, the result is glorious (1 Corinthians 12:12–27).

The Voice of God: Why it Matters More than Ever

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