The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by."
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
1 Kings 19:11-14
If you find yourself among charismatic Christians, you will likely hear about "listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit." It's a common theme in sermons and teachings, yet few people can truly explain what it means. I, too, struggled to understand this for a long time. The Bible tells us that God comes as a gentle whisper. This truth became clear to me some time ago, and today, I want to share with you three practical ways I’ve learned to listen to Him.
1. Sounds
I discovered this quite literally just yesterday. Before heading to the mountains, I heard the soft sound of my wife brushing her hair. It’s a pleasant, distinct noise—but quiet. I was surprised I even noticed it, but I didn’t stop to think about its significance. It wasn’t the sound itself that mattered; it was the fact that I noticed it at that particular moment.
We were preparing for a trip to a workshop that my wife was leading. A hairbrush is an essential item when presenting to a large audience—you want to look neat and polished. I ignored the moment, and later it turned out my wife had forgotten her brush. I wasn’t surprised when she said, “Oh no, I forgot my hairbrush.” While I quickly drove to buy a new one, I realized I could have avoided the inconvenience had I paid attention to that whisper.
2. Dreams
Dreams are one of the simplest ways to hear from the Holy Spirit. They carry weight, and you can often sense their importance the moment you wake up. Sometimes they are deeply symbolic, and you need to ask the Holy Spirit for interpretation. Dreams are one of my favorite ways God speaks to me through His Spirit.
Example:I once dreamt I was in God’s workshop, where the Father and other children were building something together. As I entered, no one stopped their work, but they all looked at me with kind smiles. The Father stood in the back, watching me. He didn’t push or encourage me—He simply waited for me to decide.
I didn’t need to ask for an interpretation because the dream was so clear: the Father was inviting me to join His work, but He left the choice up to me.
3. Visions
At times, vivid images appear in my mind—seemingly out of nowhere. When I reflect on them, I realize they aren’t something I created. These visions are often specific and precise, offering guidance or insight into a situation.
Example: I’m currently in the mountains, staying at a guesthouse that requires driving up a steep hill. I wasn’t prepared for this, and now, after heavy snowfall, I know it will be challenging to leave. Yesterday, before the snow became an issue, I had a vision of parking my car at the base of the hill to avoid trouble later.
The Holy Spirit never forces me to act. He doesn’t threaten punishment if I ignore Him. Instead, He gently teaches me that listening is worth it because He knows what lies ahead—and because He loves me, He desires the best for me. Even when I face difficulties from not listening, He doesn’t abandon me.
Learning to Tune In
I’m still learning to recognize His “voice,” which is often quiet and unassuming. It requires me to pause, like Moses did in the wilderness when he noticed the burning bush. A burning bush in the desert isn’t unusual—it would be easy to overlook while traveling. But the key is to stop, take a moment, and ask: Is that You, Holy Spirit?
If it’s not, you’ve only lost a few seconds. But if it is, you’ve gained a blessing.
Holy Spirit and Crypto?
Can you ask the Holy Spirit about crypto investments? Of course, you can! However, in my experience, investing in crypto—or anything else—is often the result of listening to the Holy Spirit about the goals God has written in our hearts. But that's a topic for another time.
Let me know if these examples have helped you in any way! Wishing you a blessed day! 🌟
