005 - What does God sound like?

Do You Have a Preconceived Idea of God's Voice?

Have you ever stopped to think about what you expect God's voice to sound like? Maybe you’ve been walking with Him for a while and have learned how to discern His voice—or perhaps you’re still wondering how to hear Him at all. Either way, this question is worth pondering.

When I ask people, "Do you have a preconceived idea of what God’s voice sounds like?" I usually get a mix of chuckles and thoughtful pauses. Most haven’t consciously processed this, but when pressed, they often realize they do have an idea in mind.

For many, the expectation aligns with what I call the Hollywood Effect. It’s a deep, resonant voice like James Earl Jones or Morgan Freeman, booming out of the heavens. You can almost see the scene: dark clouds rolling in, lightning flashing, thunder rumbling, and then the unmistakable, cinematic proclamation:

“Richard, this is God.”

Sound familiar? I had the same image in my mind for years. Growing up, Hollywood shaped so much of how we think about hearing God—from Moses on the mountain to Noah and the ark. It’s often portrayed with grand theatrics, a voice that shakes the heavens and demands attention.

But here’s the thing: after years of learning to listen for God’s voice and teaching others to do the same, I’ve yet to meet anyone who has heard God speak like that.

The Reality of Hearing God’s Voice

In my experience, God’s voice doesn’t sound like a Hollywood production. Instead, it’s far more personal, intimate, and unique to each of us. Scripture often describes it as a still, small voice—gentle, yet powerful enough to change your life.

Take Elijah, for example. In 1 Kings 19, Elijah was hiding in a cave, overwhelmed by fear and exhaustion. God told him to stand on the mountain, where he experienced a powerful wind, an earthquake, and fire—but God wasn’t in any of those dramatic displays. Instead, Elijah heard Him in a gentle whisper.

This is how many people describe hearing God: not through thunderclaps or booming voices, but through a quiet nudge, a thought they know isn’t their own, or a deep sense of peace or conviction.

A Personal Story

I remember one time I was ministering to someone over Skype—this was back when Skype was the go-to platform. We were talking about how to hear God’s voice, and I had just finished explaining that it’s usually not what Hollywood depicts.

Suddenly, right in the middle of our conversation, a Florida thunderstorm rolled in. A massive boom of thunder echoed so loudly through my house that it felt like the walls shook. I laughed and said, "Well, sometimes He does use thunder to get our attention!"

The timing wasn’t lost on us, but even then, I knew the thunder wasn’t God’s voice. It was more of a reminder of His power—a way of saying, "I’m here."

How Does God Speak to You?

God’s voice is personal. It’s tailored to who you are and how He’s designed you to hear Him. For some, it might come as a thought or idea that aligns with His Word. For others, it’s a strong impression, a vision, or even a conversation with someone that confirms what He’s been whispering to their heart.

The key is to remain open and expectant, without locking Him into our preconceived ideas. If you’re waiting for a cinematic moment with clouds and lightning, you might miss the gentle whisper in your spirit.

Practical Tips for Hearing God

If you’re wondering how to hear God more clearly, here are a few suggestions:

Spend Time in His Word – God’s written Word is His voice on paper. The more you read it, the more you’ll recognize His voice when He speaks to your heart.

Make Time for Stillness – Silence is hard to find in our noisy world, but it’s often in those quiet moments that we hear Him best.

Pray with Openness – Ask Him to speak and be ready to listen, even if it’s not what you expect.

Test What You Hear – God’s voice will never contradict Scripture. If you sense something, compare it to His Word for confirmation.

Let Go of the Hollywood Effect

God doesn’t need thunderclaps or Morgan Freeman’s voice to speak to you. He wants a relationship, and that means His voice will be personal, intimate, and unique to you.

So, what about you? Do you have a preconceived idea of what God’s voice sounds like? Let it go, and ask Him to speak in a way that you’ll recognize. You might be surprised at how near He is and how deeply He knows you.

Lord, help us to quiet our hearts and listen for Your voice. Speak to us in ways we can understand, and teach us to trust that still, small whisper. Amen.