HOW DO I TELL IF IT’S GOD, OR ME OR… THAT OTHER FOOL?
How Do I Tell If It’s God or Me? Well, If you’ve ever sat down to pray and immediately remembered the washing machine you forgot to switch on, or the chicken you forgot to get out of the fridge… congratulations, you’ve met your own voice. Logical. Analytical. Loves a good to-do list. Colour coded and everything! It’s great for meal planning and spreadsheets — not always how God speaks.
We have learnt in our previous posts, that one of Mark Virkler’s 4 keys to hearing God’s voice (based on Habakkuk 2) is Spontaneity — i.e. recognising those gentle, flowing thoughts that don’t come from your overthinking brain (but from the spiritual realm).
But here’s the million-dollar question:
How do I know if it’s God’s voice, my own thoughts, or the enemy’s lies — especially when it’s about a BIG life decision?
1. Understanding the Three Voices in Your Head
Your Own Voice
Logical, structured, predictable.
Often “safe” and based on past experience.
Sounds like: “Let’s be practical here…”
Proverbs 3:5 warns: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Translation: good brain, makes a bad god.)
God’s Voice
Gentle, spontaneous, sometimes surprising.
Always aligns with His Word and His character.
Carries peace (Philippians 4:7), conviction without condemnation, and hope.
Often drops into your heart like an idea you weren’t thinking about.
The Enemy’s Voice
Accusing (Revelation 12:10), fear-inducing (2 Timothy 1:7), condemning.
- Twists truth just enough to sound “reasonable” but leaves you feeling unsettled
Brings confusion, chaos, hopelessness.
Urgency without peace — “Do it now or you’ll lose everything!”
2. How to Tell the Difference
Hebrews 5:14 says discernment comes “by reason of use” — meaning the more you practise, the sharper you get. Just like in any relationship, the more time you spend with that person, the more you get to know them. (P.S. we are assuming you already know that you need to read your Bible to get to know the Lord Jesus, yeah..?)
Here’s your starting grid – ASK:
Does it align with Scripture? God will not contradict Himself (Isaiah 40:8).
Does it reflect God’s character? Is it loving, truthful, pure? (1 Corinthians 13:4–6, Galatians 5:22–23)
Does it bear good fruit? Peace, clarity, humility… not pride or panic.
Do wise believers confirm it? Proverbs 11:14: “In the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
3. The Rhema Word for Big Decisions
Logos = the written Word of God (the Bible).
Rhema = when the Spirit makes that written Word come alive for you — in your exact situation, at the exact right moment.
Example: You’re praying about moving cities, and Isaiah 30:21 jumps out at you: “This is the way; walk in it.”
Suddenly you just know it’s about your situation — and it’s accompanied by peace, clarity, and confirmation. That’s rhema.
4. How God’s Rhema Differs From Other Voices
Your voice says: “This job makes sense on paper.”
God’s voice says: “This isn’t where I’m leading you — trust Me.” (Isaiah 55:8–9)
The enemy says: “If you don’t take this now, you’ll never make it.”
One is logical, one is led by the Spirit, one is laced with fear. Guess which one’s from Heaven?
5. Set the Atmosphere for Hearing Clearly
If you want to catch a whisper, you don’t stand next to a jackhammer, right?
Practical tips:
Find a quiet spot where you won’t be interrupted (Mark 1:35).
Play soft worship or instrumental music to tune your heart.
Have your Bible and journal ready.
Switch off every notification — yes, even “just in case” ones.
6. Test the Word
When it’s about a big decision, you don’t just run with the first thought you get in your quiet time. The Bible tells us to test the spirits (1 John 4:1). Here’s how:
Does it align with Scripture? God will never contradict Himself.
Does it reflect God’s character? Is it loving, truthful, holy, just?
Does it bear good fruit? Peace, clarity, humility — not pride, confusion, or fear.
Do wise, mature believers confirm it? Proverbs 11:14 says “in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
Is there timing confirmation? Sometimes God’s word is for now; sometimes it’s preparation for later.
Psalm 119:105 says: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Notice – it’s a lamp for the next step; not a floodlight for the next 20 years.
7. Prayers & Decrees to Silence Every Other Voice
Prayer:
“Father, I thank You that I am Your sheep and I hear Your voice (John 10:27). Today I silence every voice that is not Yours — my own reasoning, the lies of the enemy, and the noise of the world. Let Your Word be alive in me, and confirm Your will through Scripture, peace, and wise counsel. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Decree:
“I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). I hear God’s voice clearly. No other voice will influence me. I follow the Good Shepherd, and He leads me into truth.”
8. Final Word
Hearing God’s voice — whether in the small, everyday decisions or the massive life-altering ones — isn’t about waiting for thunder, angel choirs, or burning bushes. It’s about creating space for Him to speak, recognising the spontaneous thoughts He plants, and testing them against His Word.
When it’s a big decision, you slow down, lean into the Word, and let peace, Scripture, counsel, and timing confirm the rhema. One of my favourite hacks, when it comes with clarity in anything really – is fasting… but that’s a post for another day.
N.B. God loves you more than you’ll ever comprehend and He isn’t playing hide-and-seek with your destiny. He’s far more committed to guiding you than you are – to figuring it out. Share this with someone who keeps asking the same million dollar question, how do I tell if it’s God or me, or the enemy?
