Ways God Speaks 4

The other day I was speaking with my daughter and mentioned this series on “Ways God Speaks.” She said something like, “God often uses people to speak to us” and it arrested my attention.

Although I knew this would be a fairly long series, I had not specifically planned to detail this particular method or way God communicates. So, thanks to her, we will examine how the Father uses this method to relay His message with us. I believe we will find He uses this method more than most of us would like to admit.

All throughout scripture we have reference after reference of men or women speaking on behalf of God, some knowingly and others unknowingly. As always, let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say on the subject.

God’s Warnings Through Prophetic Voices

“Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand in the court of the LORD’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’s house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word. Jeremiah 26:2 

“So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. Ezekiel 33:7 

And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ whether they hear, or whether they refuse.” Ezekiel 3:11 

Here we see the pattern of one of the ways God speaks. He anoints people to deliver an inspired word on His behalf. It is then our responsibility to weigh those words, discern what He is speaking to us, and act accordingly. This requires humility, to receive from others, and diligence on our part. It too makes us accountable to what we have heard (1 Timothy 4:14-15).

God Speaks Through a Spouse or Friend

But God said to Abraham, "Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called. Genesis 21:12 

How often has the Father or the Lord tried to speak to us about an attitude, situation, or issue and we have ignored the gentle nudge, only to have our spouse or friend tell us the same thing?

Open rebuke is better than secret love. Proverbs 27:5 

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Proverbs 27:6 

We must learn to listen to others when they are warning us, admonishing us, or sharing God’s wisdom with us. Abraham, the father of many nations was instructed by God to listen to the voice of his wife. Thankfully, that is the only passage in scripture telling men to listen to their wives. LOL!!!

Leaders and Overseers of the Flock

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted....” 1 Thessalonians 5:14 

Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. Titus 2:15 

Paul instructed the leaders of the flock to warn, exhort, rebuke, and comfort those they were responsible to shepherd. This is another way God speaks to His people.

God can speak to us and reveal His will through parents, spouse, friends, a donkey or even enemies.  

27) And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam's anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff. 28) Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" Numbers 22:27-28

Hopefully, the Lord will not need a donkey to speak to us in order to get our attention.

The one challenge of hearing God through others is our ability to honor one another and realizing He can speak through a child, teenager, adult, or donkey. The burden is upon us to hear (Matthew 11:15; John 10:27; Revelation 3:6).

We will look at other ways God speaks in our next post. Until then, may God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless and keep you!

James Brown CST

06/11/2025