Am I hearing God or Myself? How to Tell the Difference

Saying Yes to God’s Voice with Confidence and Clarity, Advice Column

Question submitted by MahoganyLit , who shared that she’s made mistakes in the past and wants to ensure she’s truly hearing from God, and Stacy-Ann Reid who expressed her desire to distinguish God’s voice from her own, so she’s not just validating her own desires. Thank you for asking this!

I used to beg God for clear signs. Like, ‘God, if this is You, let a shooting star fly across the sky while my phone autocorrects “hey” to “Hallelujah”’ type of signs… I never got them. Lol

But, over the years, I've been blessed to hear God's voice in many ways — mainly through scriptures, prayers, dreams, and prophets! Other than the rare, goosebump-inducing times when I heard His audible voice, I always thought:

• Was that really Him... or was that just me?

• Was that really God telling me to move cities… or just my frustration with rent prices?

• Did He really tell me to “be free” and book that flight, or am I just spiraling at 11:47 p.m.? The struggle is real.

Like you, I’ve made loadsss of decisions I later questioned. Choices I wish I had discerned more clearly. I wanted to hear God perfectly so I could avoid mistakes, pain, and regret. But then I learned something:

There is no way to avoid pain in this life. Jesus literally said, “In this world, you will have trouble” John 16:33—which is basically biblical code for “Life be lifin’ sometimes.”

Even when we make choices that feel "wrong" in hindsight, God can still use them to shape us, grow us, and draw us closer to Him.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." – Romans 8:28

So, MahoganyLit, please don’t be afraid of making the wrong choice. AndStacy-Ann Reid, please know that many of the desires in your heart are ones God placed there. So, I want you to release yourself from the overthinking that might be keeping you from taking action.

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." – Psalm 37:4

---

How We Hear From God

God speaks in multiple ways, and most times, it's not booming voice from heaven. Here are some of the main ways we hear Him:

• Through His Word – "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)

• Through Prayer and the Inward Witness – "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)

• Through Dreams and Visions – "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." (Acts 2:17)

  

  I’ve literally had a That’s So Raven vision moment and it was CRAZY cool!

• Through Nature and Creation – "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." (Psalm 19:1)

• Through Fellow Believers – "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17)

• Through Spiritual Gifts – "To one is given through the Spirit a word of wisdom, to another a word of knowledge…" (1 Corinthians 12:8)

  • This is the one people tend to overlook. Let’s unpack it.

---

Using Spiritual Gifts to Hear God Clearly

Your spiritual gifts play a huge role in how He speaks to you. For example…

1. Wisdom

• Supernatural insight for decision-making
  In Acts 15:28–29, the apostles sought divine wisdom to settle a dispute, concluding, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.”

2. Discernment

• The ability to recognize what’s truly from God
  Example: In Acts 16, Paul encountered a slave girl who spoke true things, but he discerned that the spirit behind her words wasn’t from God.

God still speaks to us through our spiritual gifts! Don’t know your gifts?

But once you know your gifts and how to hear from God, how do you know if it’s really Him? Well…

---

How to Confirm It’s Really God You’re Hearing

Before making a big decision, run it through these filters:

• Through His Word – God never contradicts Scripture.

• Consistency with His character – God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

• Confirmation through prayer – If it's from God, He will confirm it.

• Wise spiritual counsel – Trusted mentors and believers can affirm what God is saying.

• The fruit it bears – God’s direction leads to peace, growth, and alignment with His purpose.

Speaking of fruit…

Test What You Hear

Testing a decision, or something I believe I’ve heard from God, by the fruit it bears is one of my favorite ways to confirm if it’s truly from Him.

Scenario: You Believe God is Calling You to Quit Your Job and Start a Ministry

Imagine you feel a strong inner prompting: “Quit your job today and start a full-time ministry. I, the Lord, will bless you.” You feel excited but also unsure. Is this truly God speaking, or is it your own desire or fear? You can test it using the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23.

1. Love (agape, selfless, sacrificial love)

Test: Does this decision demonstrate love for God and others, or is it rooted in self-interest? Would Jesus be clapping for this decision or hitting me with the ‘Hmm… interesting’ face?

• Aligned with God’s voice: You feel led to help others selflessly and trust that God will provide for your needs, not just your wants.

• Not aligned: You’re mainly seeking personal recognition or an escape from workplace challenges rather than genuinely being called to serve others.

---

2. Joy (deep gladness rooted in God, not circumstances)

Test: Does this bring a sense of deep, lasting joy that isn’t dependent on success or external validation?

• Aligned: Despite uncertainty, you feel a profound peace and joy in the idea of serving God, knowing He is your provider.

• Not aligned: Your excitement is more about the idea of being free from your current job rather than the ministry itself. If obstacles arise, your joy disappears.

  ---

3. Peace (Inner tranquility that comes from trusting God)

Test: If the decision is from God, it’ll bring peace. Not that “I just convinced myself I’m fine’ kind of peace,” but real, deep, soul-resting peace.

• Aligned: You experience a calm, unshakable peace, even though you don’t have all the answers yet.

• Not aligned: Anxiety and restlessness dominate your thoughts. You feel rushed, fearful, or pressured to make an impulsive decision.

  ---

4. Patience (Endurance and waiting on God’s timing)

Test: Does the decision require patient trust, or is it pushing for immediate action?

• Aligned: You feel led to pray, seek wise counsel, and prepare before making a major decision. You trust that God’s timing is perfect.

• Not aligned: The thought says, “You must quit TODAY or you’ll miss God’s blessing!” This urgency contradicts how God often works—He is not a God of confusion.

5. Kindness (A heart that reflects God’s goodness to others)

Test: Does this decision consider how it affects others, such as family, coworkers, and those relying on you?

• Aligned: You ensure a smooth transition at your job, showing kindness to your employer and considering your family’s well-being.

• Not aligned: You quit abruptly without notice, leaving your coworkers struggling and showing no regard for how your choice impacts others.

6. Goodness (Righteousness and integrity in action)

Test: Does this calling align with moral uprightness and honesty?

• Aligned: You ensure your finances and commitments are handled responsibly, not leaving others to suffer consequences.

• Not aligned: You justify breaking financial obligations with thoughts like, “God will provide, so I don’t need to worry about my rent or debts!” while disregarding ethical responsibilities.

7. Faithfulness (Steadfast trust and commitment to God’s plan)

Test: Does this decision reflect trust in God’s promises and commitment to His Word?

• Aligned: You remain faithful in your current responsibilities while preparing for what’s next, trusting God to open doors.

• Not aligned: You ignore prior commitments by saying, “God told me to leave everything now!” and show inconsistency rather than faithfulness.

8. Gentleness (A humble and considerate attitude, not forceful or prideful)

Test: Is this decision being made with humility, or is there pride involved?

• Aligned: You humbly acknowledge that you may need to seek counsel and wisdom before taking action.

• Not aligned: You act impulsively and respond harshly to anyone questioning your decision. You snap back with, “You don’t have faith! God told me to do this!”

9. Self-Control (discipline and wise decision-making, not impulsiveness)

Test: Do you exhibit discipline, or are you acting on impulse? That “Y’all, I just quit my job, bought a one-way ticket, and I feel led to become an influencer. #FaithWalk!” deceision might not be from God, friend!

• Aligned: You take time to pray, seek confirmation, and prepare responsibly.

• Not aligned: You make an emotional decision, quit your job with no plan, and assume “God will figure it out later.”

---

Final Advice

At the end of the day, God isn’t trying to trick you. He’s not up in heaven like, ‘Oh, she almost got it right, but nope—plot twist!’ lol. Trust that He’s guiding you, even when you don’t have all the answers. And if all else fails, just remember: If what you’re hearing sounds like wisdom, aligns with Scripture, and doesn’t involve texting your ex... you’re probably on the right track.