How to Hear the Voice of God Through Journaling

Journaling is a spiritual discipline that can reap many benefits as a result of careful and diligent documenting the voice of God. Achieving this is a lot easier than it sounds. It’s not all work and no enjoyment. The joy you receive from being in His Presence is so rewarding compared to the discipline to do it. It becomes a delight to document, because the hope of learning something new about the Lord and His mysteries is always ahead for you.

New wonders are always a delight, and adventures await. His delicate declarations of His love are always at hand. You become smitten. Did I say that? Yes, I did. Journaling can help you hear the voice of God as well as cultivate intimacy with God in the Secret Place.

So how can we cultivate this precious voice? How can we become careful to document something that is sometimes a mystery to even tune our ears to hear? There is a way, and it’s a lot easier than you could imagine. Come with me, my friend; let’s take a look at it together.

What are Some Ways I can Hear God’s Voice Through Journaling?

Very briefly, let’s discuss the possible ways we can hear the voice of God through our journaling. You probably have tried one or more of these already. Here are several other ways (and probably not all of them) that you can certainly hear the voice of God:

1. Scripture – Reading, studying, and memorizing the Word of God bears witness with the Holy Spirit in us.

2. Nature – Getting out in nature naturally reminds us that we are small and restores God’s true majesty in our hearts. It can humble us, getting our flesh out of the way to hear God’s voice.

3. Soaking– This is relaxing in a comfortable position on the verge of a sleep state in the Presence of God or in prayer with the idea that God will respond. This can be done in different ways, with or without soft music, but the point is to be still in His Presence and listen.

4. Journaling and listening— This is journaling in various forms to elicit (or invite) God’s voice or simply write what is heard.

5. Experiences/Visitations/Dreams – This is self-explanatory. Yes, you can definitely hear God this way. Scripture confirms this.

Look at all your Options in the Learning Mode

I will primarily address hearing God’s voice through Scripture, journaling, and soaking in this article, but do go ahead and research the others for yourself as well. You may find it a better fit for your personality or style of journaling.

We are all unique, and our style of communicating with God and feeling close to Him can be vastly different from someone else. You were created as God’s masterpiece, and what you like isn’t necessarily wrong, it’s just different! Keep trying until you find what fits for you!

Can Anyone Hear God’s Voice Through Journaling?

If you are a believer in Christ and have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, yes, you will hear His voice. Notice I said, you will hear His voice.

I spoke of this in one of my posts before about God's sheep will hear His voice. (John10:27) Are you one of His sheep? Then you are already pre-programmed to hear God’s voice. You just need to practice determining what it sounds like. The best way to do this and easiest way is to read the Word of God and meditate on it. Hebrews 4:12 AMP tells us:

“For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 AMP

The Word of God is Living and Active + the Holy Spirit in You

The Word of God is a living word. As Hebrews 4:12 above states, it is powerful! That verse alone tells you that it can do so much for us. When it is read into a believer’s mind and heart, it is a busy Word!

So, if this is just one scripture on the power of the Word of God, and we learn that it is a living word, what does that prove in terms of hearing God’s voice? Let’s look at a few more to prove this point. John 1:1 AMP says:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 AMP

And what about 2 Timothy 3:16 AMP:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 AMP

His Voice is breathing Through His Word

Okay, so in case you need me to explain further here, we see that the Word IS God in one verse, and it is BREATHED out by God in the other. Can’t you just see the Savior and His lips open breathing on you as you read this?

So, scripture is simply Jesus Christ in a book. It makes it easy to see, and gives us confidence that, after only looking at these few verses for understanding, we can hear the voice of God! How much more, then, will studying them and memorizing them assist you in hearing God’s voice and hearing His voice in journaling! If you haven’t tuned your ear to hear Him yet, here’s your starting point.

A Powerful Combination in Hearing God’s Voice

Keep in mind that there is also another important person involved here that is actively involved in your learning, growing, and understanding the Word of God and His voice: The Holy Spirit! When you mix reading the Word and the Holy Spirit within you to bear witness to this truth, you have a powerful combination.

The more you read, the more you understand, the more His Holy Spirit is active in you tuning your ears to hear Him; both in understanding and hearing His voice. This is only a basic step in the process and is one of the easiest steps. If you are looking for more, keep reading, because adventure and revelation await you!

Is it God’s Voice, My Voice, or the Enemy’s in my Journaling?

This is an excellent question. I will try to break it down simply here for you, but I recommend you do a little research on your own to determine if what you are receiving is from you, the enemy, or God.

Identifying the enemy is, to me, a little bit easier to identify than my flesh or God. The enemy can sound true, but it will always have a component that always goes against God’s Word. Knowing the Word of God helps us determine if what we hear is the enemy.

The enemy will always go against the Word of God in some way. We must be careful to pay attention. Do not assume. The enemy is always looking for an open door through agreement. We know to trash those words from the enemy.

Flesh will tend to be a little more difficult to identify, because it tends to tell us what we want to hear or exalt itself. If you are unsure, I typically do not agree with anything at first. I test everything. 1 John 4:1-6 NASB gives info on how to test:

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and now it is already in the world. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore, they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. The one who knows God listens to us; the one who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

Sometimes, God will actually be telling us something we want to hear! At those times we need to surrender our own agenda and be willing to take up His. So, if you aren’t sure if it’s God or yourself, ask God for confirmation.

He is good to confirm His words to you if He wants you to know something. He usually has a way of repeating the message until you get it. He will also direct you to His word if further confirmation is needed.

More Ways to Determine the Source of what you Hear

God’s words will bear witness with your spirit and generate peace, love, and rest. They will usually communicate love, acceptance, encouragement, and sometimes a direction. Be aware of bossy, condemning, critical, or nagging voices, they tend to be the enemy. Gentle, encouraging voices are usually the Spirit, Jesus, or God, although I have discovered the Spirit can also be bold!

I also found that God knows what I am able to understand and determine. He won't throw me into something totally outside my ability to deal with it. Until I grow in it more, it is like an ongoing process to learn. One day, something new will pop up. I will learn then, the next step in the process. In doing this process, you are learning to discern between good and evil. This is a good thing, so don’t give up! Hebrews 5:14 AMP says:

“But solid food is for the [spiritually] mature, whose senses are trained by practice to distinguish between what is morally good and what is evil.” Hebrews 5:14 AMP

Discerning to Hear God’s Voice in Journaling

This process of discernment is training you toward maturity in Christ and in the realm of the Spirit. The more you put into it, such as searching the scriptures, waiting on God for the answer, and doing your own researching with others who have gone before you, you are gaining much more than your answer. You are growing in maturity. That is gold in and of itself! Romans 12:2 AMP helps us determine God’s will for us, and can help us discern in journaling:

“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs] but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. Romans 12:2 AMP

Mind Transformation Helps You Hear His Voice Better

Romans 12:2 advocates being transformed by mind renewal from the Word of God. This is another important strategy in both growing in spiritual maturity, and also discernment. The more of the Word of God you have in your heart and mind, and the more of it you are actually obeying, will actually transform your mind, giving you the ability to discern God’s will. Knowing His Word is like a litmus test in your spirit when something is off or when something is good.

Ask for Confirmation on what you Hear

Always ask for confirmation from the Lord, consult the Word of God, or trusted godly counsel if needed, before acting on anything told to you through journaling. Remember, God will never direct you to do anything contrary to His Word! It will get easier over time, so don’t let this part throw you. Practice makes perfect.

Many Christian authors have many books on this subject. Find a few to keep in your arsenal on your bookshelf to refer to later as you receive more revelation. Hang in there and keep at it! I have listed one good book I suggest at the end of this article, so be sure and check that out.

At a Glance Break Down of God's Voice, the Flesh & the Enemy

God = Encouraging, calming, peaceful, gentle, comforting, and loving voice. Will agree with scripture every time. Holy Spirit may be bolder but will never go against God's Word. He may bring conviction but never condemnation!

Flesh = Think everything that makes your flesh feel nice. Self-promoting, comforting, fills your desires and wants, selfish, goes with what accommodates your fleshly self, can be nice, easy to listen and tolerable. It is usually the fastest voice to speak and listen to.

Enemy = Bossy, condemning, may appeal to your flesh to get you to sin, lies, goes against God's Word, usually directly but can be indirectly too. It is deceitful, hateful, yells, can dominate, intimidate, can bring fear, hurt, pain, may use pressure tactics at times. Use your authority to silence the voice of the enemy should you encounter him, in Jesus Name. Do not fear. He is afraid of you as a believer!

A Word about Soaking and Hearing His Voice

Another way to experience the voice of God is soaking in His Presence. This can be accomplished by listening to soft music and lying back comfortably or not, whichever you prefer, and listening for His voice. You can do this for hours or for a few minutes. You can pray a prayer to God phrase by phrase, waiting for an answer (verbally) from Him or whatever way God chooses to respond to you.

I find that if I am too comfortable, I will just go to sleep. So whatever position I’m in, I try not to be too comfortable to go straight to sleep but be comfortable enough that I’m not uncomfortable. I do not do it for hours anymore, but the few times I did were powerful encounters that I documented in my journal and have never forgotten! Psalm 46:10 ESV gives us wisdom on being still in God’s Presence:

“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV

And Deuteronomy 4:29 ESV:

“But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29

How Hungry or Desperate are you to Hear God’s Voice?

Deuteronomy 4:29 ESV doesn’t specifically talk about lying on the floor in God’s Presence, but if I see someone doing that, or if I’m doing that–I’m desperate to hear Him. I see one who is searching with all their heart and soul.

People tend to do what works for them or where they’ve gotten the best response. I don’t have much time to dedicate to listening in this way anymore, but now I do sit in my chair and journal-soak.

Being a seer type, I tend to see symbols, pictures, movie type visions, I hear words, phrases, voices, and songs in the spirit. When I soak, I simply close my eyes and wait on the Lord. I find the closer I am between being awake and asleep is the time I usually hear something or see something. I usually hear a phrase from the Holy Spirit about my situation, or I may see a picture that I document to pray over and discover the meaning of.

Keep in mind that God often communicates symbolically or in parables. It can be a whole other communication style that He is drawing you to discover with Him. It will be unique to you! How cool is that?! If you are willing to learn, He is willing to teach you. It all depends on your level of hunger.

Hungering and Thirsting for His Presence

So, my dear fellow journaling friend-to-be, how hungry are you? How thirsty are you? How desperate are you to hear God’s voice? Enough to wait on Him to speak to you lying on the floor? If you’ve read this far, you are probably one of these precious individuals. God bless you. It is an adventure for sure, and one that God Himself is excited for you to take with Him.

Yes, you will take this adventure trip with Him. He’s not leaving you hanging out there to figure it all out by yourself. The whole reason we do this is to know Him. That’s where everything you want to learn of Him will flow from: Relationship with Him.

You will be Forever Changed

Journaling will take you into relationship and intimacy with Him like never before. It will change everything you think you know about Him and rock your world in the process. I speak from experience.

It’s worth the effort, struggle, or difficulty, because at the end of the day, I know Him, I hear Him, I am doing what He asks, and He is my very best friend. He has shown me wonders that only He could. I am forever changed, and I will know Him well before I see Him in Glory.

He asked me to share my tips, because He treasures you and wants you to have that tender relationship too. It’s yours for the taking. He extends the invitation to you too. Are you thirsty enough?

“I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; and I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, and how I may reply when I am reproved. Then the Lord answered me and said, “Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run.” Habakkuk 2:1-2

Book Recommendation

There are many books available on journaling, but there is one that I recommend more than many of the others. It’s called, The Scribe: Receiving and Retaining Revelation through Journaling by James Goll.

James is considered one of the fathers of the prophetic movement and is a pioneer in the area of journaling, seer giftings, dreams, visions, and prophecy. This book has much to say on deciphering revelation you receive through journaling and so much more. It will be worth your time to check it out.

In case you missed previous posts in this series, you can still check them out. If you need help making the time for spiritual change in your life, you can still check that out as well.