Hearing God Speak

When we talk about Jesus, one question often arises: What makes Him different from every other god? After all, throughout history, cultures have worshiped many deities, offered sacrifices, and performed rituals. But Jesus stands apart in one profound way—He is alive. He speaks.

The prophet Jeremiah says:

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV

YHWH is not a God who is silent. Jesus is not a god made of stone or wood, waiting for us to give something before receiving something in return. Jesus is alive, and He speaks. He wants to talk to us like friends, a father, a mother, a coach, a guide, a counselor, and the list goes on.

Not a Transaction, But a Relationship

Many of us fall into the trap of thinking: If I do X, then God will do Y for me. We treat God like a vending machine—put in a prayer, a fast, or a good work, and expect a blessing in return.

But think of doing the same to a lover or a member of the family. Somehow, we wouldn't treat them that way. Somehow, we know that when it comes to people we love and want in our lives, a transactional mindset ruins the relationship. Imagine your best friend getting you a gift, something you've wanted for. a while now, just to be hired in your company. That's the worst kind of friend. It would make you feel betrayed and used. Yet, we often do the same to God. The one who created us and only longs for our genuine, authentic relationship.

But even if we treat God transactionally, we would soon come to realise that God doesn’t fit inside that box. When we treat Him like a transaction, we set ourselves up for disappointment, and our faith begins to crumble.

This mindset comes from idolatry. In many cultures—especially in countries like India, where idolatry is deeply woven into the culture—gods are approached with sacrifices and rituals in hopes of getting something in return. But idols are silent. They cannot speak.

Jesus, however, broke this cycle. He set us free from the law of transactions when He died on the cross. The tearing of the veil in the temple signified that we no longer need priests or intermediaries to reach God. His Spirit now dwells in us.

This is the New Covenant, as God promised:

“I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. … For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Jeremiah 31:33–34 NKJV

The New Covenant: Grace and Obedience

Though Jesus freed us from the old law, He didn’t erase obedience. Instead, He transformed it. Jesus made obedience about the attitude of the heart rather than mere actions. He gave us grace and the Holy Spirit so that we could obey God—not out of fear, but out of love.

The Hebrew word for obedience, shama (שָׁמַע), means to listen and respond. We cannot obey God unless we first listen to His voice.

That’s why Samuel told Saul:

“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22 NKJV

Obedience is about relationship. It’s about conversation. We speak to God, He speaks back, and we respond.

Hearing God’s Voice

Maybe you’re wondering: How do I hear God’s voice?

Think about moments when you were so deep in thought that you didn’t hear someone calling your name. Or when you were in a noisy café but suddenly tuned in to the background music.

It’s the same with God. His voice is often a gentle whisper. To hear Him, we need to tune our hearts, block out the noise, and fix our attention on Jesus.

It’s not easy to quiet the distractions of life—but God promises to help:

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”1 Peter 5:7 NKJV

A Simple Exercise

Here’s a practical way to practice hearing God’s voice:

1. Give your burdens to Jesus. Bring before Him the things that weigh you down—the hurt, the worries, the anxieties.

2. Remember His promise.

   “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

3. Focus on Jesus. Imagine Him standing right beside you as you listen.

4. Ask Him what He thinks about you. Be still and listen. The voice you hear may sound like your own thoughts, but it will carry peace, not confusion.

That’s it—you’ve heard God speak.

What makes Jesus different from every other god? He’s not silent. He doesn’t demand a transaction. He speaks, He listens, and He walks with us. He tore the veil so that you could have a relationship with Him—a living, breathing, ongoing conversation.

The question is: Are you listening?