The Bible is filled with remarkable stories of God speaking to people. From dreams and visions to angelic visitations, a talking donkey, and a burning bush, the Scriptures recount various ways in which God communicates with His people. But many wonder if God still speaks to individuals today. Is it possible for ordinary people to hear God's voice in the 21st century?
Pastor and author Tania Harris believes the answer is a resounding yes. God hasn’t changed. Just as He spoke to His people thousands of years ago, He still desires to speak today. In her book God Conversations, Tania offers insights into how we can learn to recognize and respond to God’s voice in our lives. She emphasizes that hearing God isn’t reserved for a select few, but is available to everyone willing to listen.
Does God Still Speak Today?
The question of whether God still speaks today is one that many believers wrestle with. After all, the biblical accounts of divine communication are spectacular—dreams, visions, audible voices, and miraculous events like burning bushes and talking animals. These extraordinary encounters might make us think that hearing from God is rare or requires some dramatic intervention. However, Tania Harris challenges this notion, suggesting that God’s voice is often subtle, and we need to learn how to recognize it.
In God Conversations, she emphasizes that while God may choose to speak in dramatic ways, more often than not, His voice comes in the form of thoughts, impressions, or an inner knowing. This aligns with the biblical idea that God speaks through the Holy Spirit, who dwells within every believer, guiding, comforting, and leading them.
Tania encourages believers not to expect God’s voice to always be external or loud but to recognize that His voice can come as a gentle nudge or even a passing thought.
“The First Time I Heard God Speak”
Tania Harris’s personal experiences illustrate this point. One of the earliest instances she recounts of hearing God’s voice happened in a moment when she wasn’t expecting it. She describes herself as a skeptic by nature, often questioning how people could be so certain they had heard from God. She longed for clarity on what God's voice "sounded like" and what it meant to hear Him.
Her answer came in an unexpected way when she felt God’s voice giving her a warning. She recalls, “One day this thought dropped into my head: ‘Someone’s going to break into your car tonight.’” At the time, she wasn’t sure why she was thinking such a thing. There seemed to be no logical reason for it, but the thought persisted.
Tania’s response was to act on that impression, even though she didn’t fully understand it. She removed her music collection from her car’s glovebox, though she didn’t think there was much worth stealing.
The next morning, her suspicions were confirmed. She found that the lock on her car door had been damaged, and the contents of her glovebox had been scattered across the seats. Remarkably, nothing had been taken. The music she had removed was safe in her handbag.
This experience taught Tania a profound lesson about how God speaks. She explains, “I learned that the voice of God, the Holy Spirit, was not necessarily out loud, external to myself, but it was a thought that actually came on the landscape of my thoughts, that was different to my own.”
This type of communication—an inner sense or impression—has become one of the key ways Tania has learned to discern God’s voice in her life.
Recognizing God's Voice
Tania Harris’s experience is not unique. Many believers can point to moments when they felt a strong impression or thought that seemed to come from outside of themselves, yet proved to be a divine prompting. But how can we know for sure that what we’re hearing is from God and not just our imagination?
In God Conversations, Tania outlines some helpful principles for recognizing God’s voice. One key point she emphasizes is that God’s voice is consistent with His character and His word. The Bible provides a foundation for discerning whether a thought, impression, or idea aligns with who God is and what He has revealed about Himself.
For example, if you feel prompted to show kindness or generosity, you can be confident that this is consistent with God’s nature, as revealed in Scripture. On the other hand, if you sense something that leads you away from love, integrity, or truth, it’s likely not from God.
Tania also points out that God’s voice often speaks to our deepest concerns, fears, or desires in a way that resonates with our spirits. This doesn’t mean it’s always comfortable—sometimes God challenges us to step out in faith or to confront areas of our lives that need growth—but His voice is always loving, redemptive, and life-giving.
When God Seems Silent
One of the most challenging aspects of hearing God’s voice is dealing with the times when He seems silent. Every believer goes through seasons where it feels like their prayers are met with silence, and God’s guidance is hard to discern. Tania Harris acknowledges that these periods of waiting can be difficult, but they are also part of the journey of faith.
In such times, Tania encourages believers not to lose heart. God’s silence doesn’t mean He is absent or unconcerned. In fact, some of the most significant spiritual growth often happens during these seasons. Tania explains that God’s silence can be a way of stretching our faith, teaching us to trust Him more deeply, and helping us to develop perseverance.
She also reminds us that God’s voice isn’t always about providing answers or solutions. Sometimes, God’s presence in our lives is the answer we need. His peace, comfort, and assurance can be just as valuable as specific guidance or direction. In these moments, resting in the knowledge of God’s love and sovereignty can provide the strength to keep moving forward, even when clarity is lacking.
Learning to Listen
Hearing God’s voice is not something that happens automatically or effortlessly. It’s a skill that can be cultivated over time. Tania Harris emphasizes the importance of creating space in our lives to listen. In our fast-paced, noisy world, it can be easy to miss the still, small voice of God if we don’t intentionally make room for Him.
Practices like prayer, meditation on Scripture, and quiet reflection can help us attune our hearts and minds to God’s presence. Tania encourages believers to ask God to speak and to be expectant, but also to be patient. God may not speak in the way we expect, but if we remain open and attentive, we will begin to recognize His voice more clearly.
The Role of Community
Another important aspect of discerning God’s voice is the role of community. Tania Harris highlights the value of seeking confirmation and wisdom from trusted Christian friends or mentors. When we believe we’ve heard from God, sharing it with others can provide valuable perspective and accountability.
God often speaks through others, and involving fellow believers in the process of discernment can help guard against misunderstandings or confusion. Community provides a safeguard, ensuring that what we’re hearing aligns with God’s broader purposes and plan.
Conclusion: God Is Still Speaking
The Bible shows us that God has always been a God who speaks, and Tania Harris believes that this truth remains the same today. Through her experiences and teachings, she encourages believers to have confidence that God desires to communicate with us, not in spectacular or dramatic ways alone, but in the ordinary, everyday moments of life.
The key to hearing God’s voice is learning to recognize it, and Tania’s message is one of hope—hope that every believer can grow in their ability to hear from God. Whether through a quiet thought, a strong impression, or the counsel of trusted friends, God is continually speaking. The question is: Are we listening?
