Discerning the Voice of God: How to Tell What's Really from Him and Where Faith Comes In

As we walk the mystic path, one question often rises: How do we know when God is truly guiding us? How do we separate the divine whispers from the echo chamber of our own desires, anxieties, or misunderstandings? It's a question that every believer wrestles with—especially in the quiet, still places where God’s voice is often the softest, yet the most profound.

Let’s explore how we can discern God’s voice, and where faith fits into the process of listening, trusting, and following.

1. Is it rooted in love or fear?

The voice of God is never one that manipulates through fear. While God may bring conviction to lead us away from sin, His motivation is always rooted in love. The voice of fear, however, uses guilt, shame, and uncertainty to manipulate or control.

When God speaks, His words draw us to Him in peace. Even when He is guiding us through difficult truths or challenging seasons, His presence is marked by a deep, abiding love that invites us to be whole, to grow, and to walk more deeply into His nature. Fear brings isolation and confusion—love brings clarity and freedom.

2. Does it align with Jesus’ character?

As mystics, we are called to know God intimately—not just in abstract ideas, but through the life and character of Jesus. If what we’re hearing doesn't line up with Jesus' nature—His humility, His sacrifice, His love for the marginalized, His pursuit of justice and truth—then it’s not from God.

Jesus is the perfect reflection of the Father’s will, and His character is the litmus test for all things divine. If we’re hearing something that contradicts the essence of His love, compassion, and holiness, it’s worth taking a step back and discerning further.

3. Does it draw you toward greater wholeness or deeper anxiety?

God’s direction always leads toward wholeness—the restoration of all things. Even when His direction is challenging or requires surrender, it will draw us closer to who He’s created us to be. In contrast, what we often hear in our own minds (or from the world) pulls us toward anxiety, control, and fragmentation.

When you feel His whisper, ask yourself: Does this bring peace and healing to my spirit, or does it make me feel more anxious, less trusting of God?

God doesn’t bind us up in knots. His words offer freedom, even in the hardest seasons. If you’re feeling more fragmented or overwhelmed, it's time to pause, reflect, and ask for clearer guidance.

4. What does the fruit look like over time?

Wisdom, like a good tree, bears fruit. God’s guidance isn’t a quick flash of inspiration that fades with the next wave of uncertainty—it matures, grows, and leaves a trail of positive impact. When you step into the direction God is leading, even if it's difficult, you’ll see fruit that over time reveals the divine wisdom of the choice.

Test the fruit. If a decision or direction leads to more clarity, peace, and alignment with your true self—who God created you to be—then that’s a good sign it’s from Him. If the fruit shrivels and causes you to feel more lost, detached, or confused, it may be worth reconsidering and seeking further confirmation.

5. Are you open to being wrong?

This is a big one. The ability to discern God’s voice requires humility—the humility to admit that we don’t always get it right. Being open to being corrected, to re-evaluating what we believe is God’s voice, is essential for our spiritual growth. Faith is not certainty—it’s trust in relationship.

If you’re unwilling to be wrong, you might find yourself clinging to your own understanding rather than listening for God’s still, small voice. Being willing to humble ourselves and ask God for clarification shows that we’re not in this for a “perfect track record”—we’re in it for relationship.

Faith: The Anchor in the Storm of Discernment

Now, let’s talk about faith—the foundation that holds everything together as we seek to discern God’s voice.

Faith is not just believing in God’s existence, but trusting His character, His timing, and His faithfulness. When it comes to hearing His voice, faith is the glue that holds our discernment together and allows us to walk in alignment with God even when the path isn’t fully clear. It’s what lets us trust that God is speaking, even when we’re not sure how to interpret it.

Here’s how faith weaves its way into the process:

1. Faith in God’s Presence

Faith gives us the assurance that God is with us, guiding us, even in the stillness. Sometimes, the voice of God may seem faint or we may be unsure whether it’s Him, but faith assures us that He is always present, even when we can't fully sense it.

When you trust that God is near, even in the quiet moments, you can hold onto the belief that He will make Himself known in the right time. Faith in His presence is a compass that directs us when we feel lost or uncertain.

2. Faith to Take Steps in the Dark

Discerning God’s voice often means stepping out in faith, even when the road ahead seems uncertain. We may only hear the first step, but faith allows us to move forward without seeing the full picture. In the Bible, we see this in the stories of Abraham, Moses, and Peter—each of them stepped out in faith, often without knowing where they were going or how it would all work out.

Faith fuels the courage to take action, trusting that God will reveal more as we go, even if we can't see the whole map yet.

3. Faith to Trust the Process

Faith isn’t about getting instant answers; it’s about trusting that God’s timing is perfect. Sometimes we may feel like the answer is taking too long or we're left with unanswered questions. Faith reminds us that God’s ways are higher than ours, and His timing is always right. Even in times of waiting or uncertainty, faith holds the space for peace and patience.

4. Faith to Be Vulnerable

Discerning God’s voice often requires us to be open, humble, and vulnerable. It means being willing to lay down our own desires, fears, and control. Faith is what allows us to do this, trusting that God’s plans for us are better than our own. It’s in this vulnerability that we can more clearly hear His voice, unclouded by our own agendas.

5. Faith in His Faithfulness

Ultimately, faith in God’s character and His faithfulness is what allows us to trust that He is guiding us. We can rest in the fact that God is good, and He will lead us in the right direction. His voice will never lead us astray, and even when we make mistakes, His grace is abundant.

Conclusion: Trusting and Moving in Faith

In the end, hearing God’s voice isn’t about being certain every time. It’s about learning to walk with Him, to trust His presence, and to grow in our relationship with Him. We may not always get it perfectly right, but if we hold these principles close—love, Jesus’ character, wholeness, fruit, and humility—we can walk with a deeper confidence that the direction we’re moving in is led by His hand.

Faith is the lens through which we view our discernment process. Without faith, we may question everything, second-guess every step, or struggle with doubt. But with faith, we can approach God’s guidance with confidence, knowing that He is speaking, He is near, and He will lead us toward greater peace, clarity, and love.

When we combine faith with discernment, we open ourselves up to the divine flow of wisdom that only God can provide. And while the journey might not always be crystal clear, we trust that He’s walking with us—always.