How Loud Does He Have To Knock Before You Hear
Finding God's Voice in a Noisy World: How to Hear When He Knocks
In our busy, loud world, it can be challenging to hear God's voice. With TVs, phones, radios, families, friends, and countless other distractions vying for our attention, we often miss when God is trying to speak to us. Research shows that 81% of adults struggle with racing thoughts and busy minds when trying to fall asleep. But have you ever considered how this constant noise might be interfering with your ability to hear God?
How Loud Does God Have to Knock Before We Hear Him?
Sometimes we build walls between ourselves and God without even realizing it. We might have created "garage doors" in our spiritual lives—structures that look good on the outside but actually separate us from hearing God's gentle knock.
In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me." The question is: how loud does He have to knock before we recognize it?
When God Speaks in a Still, Small Voice
In 1 Kings 19:11-13, we read about Elijah's encounter with God:
"And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mountain before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and break into pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire a still, small voice."
God wasn't in the dramatic displays of power—the wind, earthquake, or fire. Instead, He spoke through a gentle whisper. This teaches us something profound about how God often communicates with us.
What Happens When Churches Miss God's Voice?
Many churches today have built programs and structures that might inadvertently block God's voice. We come looking for great worship, inspiring preaching, and engaging programs, but we should be searching for the presence of God above all else.
As one preacher noted, "In most churches today, the Holy Spirit could leave and nothing would change because we've created all of it." We get the feel-good atmosphere because of the songs sung or the verses quoted, but we might be missing God's actual voice.
How to Recognize God's Voice in the Noise
Know His Voice
Jesus said in John 10:27, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." Just as a mother can identify her baby's cry in a room full of children, we need to become familiar with God's voice through spending time with Him.
By reading the Bible and praying regularly, we learn God's character, and His voice will always align with that character. God's voice will never lead you away from His nature of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
When you hear something that doesn't align with God's character, you can be confident it's not Him speaking. The enemy will never prompt you to do something that will ultimately bless you or others.
Submit When He Calls
Hearing God's voice is only the first step—we must also respond in obedience. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says He knocks, but we must hear AND open the door.
Many of us hear God's direction but struggle to submit to it. We might be like the child who sits down physically when told but says, "I'm sitting down on the outside, but I'm standing on the inside."
Submission often feels uncomfortable because it requires us to step out of our comfort zones. But when we know it's God speaking, there's a peace that comes with obedience, even if the path looks difficult.
Be Patient and Persistent
Hearing God's voice takes time and practice. You may not always get it right, but don't give up. Be open to hearing God in unexpected ways and be willing to follow through with what you believe He's telling you to do.
One of the worst things is to hear God's prompting and do nothing with it. Even small acts of obedience—like picking up a piece of trash when prompted—can be God's way of testing if you're listening before He shares something more significant.
What's Stopping You from Hearing God?
Several barriers might prevent us from hearing God's voice:
Too much noise: We haven't created enough quiet space in our lives to hear Him.
Trust issues: Past hurts or disappointments might make us hesitant to fully trust God's direction.
Fear of what He might ask: Sometimes we avoid listening because we're afraid of what God might call us to do.
Unwillingness to put in the work: Following God's voice often requires effort and sacrifice.
Life Application
This week, commit to creating space in your life to hear God's voice more clearly:
Set aside daily quiet time: Even just 10-15 minutes of silence can help you tune into God's voice.
Study God's character: Read passages about God's nature so you can better recognize when He's speaking.
Practice small acts of obedience: When you feel a prompting to do something small (like encouraging someone or serving in a simple way), follow through immediately.
Remove distractions: Identify what "walls" you've built that might be blocking God's voice, and take steps to remove them.
Ask yourself these questions:
What "noise" in my life might be drowning out God's voice?
When was the last time I clearly heard God speaking to me, and did I obey?
What areas of my life am I reluctant to submit to God's direction?
How can I better train myself to recognize God's voice among all the other voices competing for my attention?
Remember, God is constantly speaking—the question is whether we're positioned to hear Him. As you practice listening and responding, you'll find it becomes easier to recognize His voice even in the midst of life's noise.
