Discerning His Voice in Decisions

In business and work, we're constantly making decisions. Big ones and small ones. Strategic choices and tactical moves.

And we hear many voices: market trends, expert opinions, our own logic, pressure from others, fear, ambition.

But there's one voice that matters most: His voice.

The Challenge

Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice." But in the noise of daily work, hearing His voice clearly is challenging.

We hear our own thoughts and wonder: Is this God speaking or just my idea?

We feel pressure to decide quickly and wonder: Should I wait to hear from God or just move forward?

We face complex situations and wonder: How do I know what God wants when the path isn't clear?

Why Discernment Matters

Making decisions without seeking God's voice—even good, logical decisions—can lead us away from His best.

We might pursue opportunities that look promising but aren't what He has for us.

We might avoid difficulties that are actually part of His plan to grow us.

We might rely on our wisdom and miss His supernatural guidance.

When we learn to discern His voice, we walk in step with Him instead of asking Him to bless wherever we've already decided to go.

How to Discern

Discernment is a skill developed over time through relationship with God:

Know His Word: God's voice never contradicts Scripture. The better you know His Word, the easier you recognize His voice. Many times He speaks through bringing a verse to mind at just the right moment.

Develop sensitivity to His peace: Jesus gives us His peace. When considering options, which one carries His peace deep in your spirit? Anxiety often signals "not this" or "not yet."

Test it in prayer: Bring every decision to Him in prayer. Don't just present your plan and ask for blessing—wait, listen, and let Him speak into it.

Watch for confirmation: God often confirms His direction through multiple means—Scripture, circumstances, wise counsel, consistent inner conviction.

Examine your motives: Sometimes what we think is God's voice is actually our ego, fear, or ambition. Ask Him to show you if your motives are mixed.

Consider the fruit: Does this decision align with producing the fruit of the Spirit? Does it lead toward love, patience, kindness, faithfulness?

Common Counterfeits

Learn to distinguish God's voice from counterfeits:

Your own reasoning sounds logical and analytical. God's voice often includes wisdom that goes beyond human logic.

Fear says "protect yourself, play it safe, avoid risk." God's voice sometimes calls you to risk in obedience.

Ambition says "this will make you successful, important, recognized." God's voice calls you to faithfulness, not necessarily success.

Pressure from others says "everyone expects this, you should do what they think." God's voice may lead you differently than others expect.

The enemy's voice accuses, condemns, rushes you, creates confusion. God's voice brings conviction but not condemnation, patience not panic, clarity not chaos.

Growing in Discernment

You grow in discernment by:

Practicing with small decisions: Ask God about small daily choices. Learn to recognize His voice when the stakes are low.

Reflecting on past decisions: Look back at times you clearly heard from God. What were the markers? What did His voice sound like? Learn the pattern.

Acting when you have clarity: When you discern His leading, obey. This strengthens your ability to hear next time.

Learning from mistakes: Sometimes you'll misread His voice. That's okay. Learn what led you astray and grow from it.

Staying connected: The more time you spend with Him, the more familiar His voice becomes. You can't discern the voice of someone you barely know.

In Your Work Today

What decisions are you facing?

Before you decide based solely on logic, profit, convenience, or pressure, pause.

Ask Him: What do You want here? What are You saying?

Then wait. Listen. Pay attention to His peace, His Word, the confirmations He brings.

You have access to infinite wisdom. The Creator of all things wants to guide you.

Don't settle for making decisions alone when you can make them with Him.