From the beginning, God has always desired to communicate with humanity. In the Old Testament, He spoke directly to individuals like Abraham (Genesis 12:1), Moses (Exodus 3:4), and Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10). He also spoke through dreams, visions, and angelic appearances. God gave the Law to Moses, sent prophets to speak to Israel, and used inspired messengers to declare His will to nations. The voice of God was not only audible but also visible through miracles and signs that authenticated His messages.

The New Testament began with the same divine communication. John the Baptist was called a prophet of the Highest (Luke 1:76), and Jesus, God in the flesh, spoke the words of God directly (John 7:16). The apostles were given authority to declare God’s truth and to record it for future generations (2 Peter 1:21). Divine revelation was an essential part of how God governed and guided His people in both covenants.

How God Speaks to Us Today

Hebrews 1:1–2 gives us a clear transition point:

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son...” (KJV)

This passage reveals that while God formerly used various methods to speak, He has now spoken to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. This expression is in the past tense—“hath spoken”—indicating that the final and complete message has already been given.

The inspired words of Christ and His apostles were recorded in Scripture. The Bible is now the complete and sufficient way through which God speaks. Paul affirms this in 2 Timothy 3:16–17:

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable... that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

God also continues to speak to us in uninspired ways, such as through preaching (Romans 10:17), Christian counsel (Proverbs 11:14), and the convicting work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13) but all of these must align with the truths already revealed in Scripture. None of these forms are new revelation, but applications of what has already been revealed.

The Purpose Behind God's Communication

God speaks to reveal truth, convict of sin, give direction, and provide hope. In every age, God’s communication was never aimless, it was always purposeful. He spoke to bring people to Himself, to declare His promises, and to guide His people in righteousness. Today, the purpose remains the same, but the means have been narrowed. God now uses His Word, the Bible, as the final authority to teach, correct, and lead us.

The Problem of Modern-Day Prophecy

Many today claim that God still speaks audibly or gives personal revelations. However, these modern predictions often contradict Scripture, fail to come to pass, or exalt the messenger rather than Christ. False prophecy has become a dangerous trend, misleading many with emotional appeals and unverifiable claims.

Deuteronomy 18:22 warns us:

“When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass... the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously...”

Worse still, even evil spirits have the capacity to foresee or manipulate future events. In 1 Samuel 28, Saul sought counsel from a medium, and a spirit predicted his death, a prediction that was ultimately true. This example proves that not all spiritual information is from God. Satan can counterfeit signs and lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9).

Modern-day prophets often fail at a basic test: most of their predictions are false. Yet under the Old Testament law, even one failed prophecy disqualified a prophet (Deuteronomy 18:20). Today, many popular "prophets" continue to operate despite repeated errors, because they are not tested against Scripture.

Scripture: The Most Reliable Voice of God

Jesus affirmed the authority of the Scriptures repeatedly: “It is written…” (Matthew 4:4). The apostles taught from the Word and warned that anyone preaching a different message—even an angel—should be rejected (Galatians 1:8). We are told to search the Scriptures (John 5:39), to rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), and to test every spirit (1 John 4:1).

God’s voice is found in His Word. The Bible is the only infallible revelation from God that is available to us today. Every dream, vision, prophecy, or experience must be judged by it, not alongside it.

God Still Speaks—Through Scripture

Yes, God still speaks, but not in the way He did before. He no longer gives new inspired revelations. His complete message has already been delivered through Christ and preserved in the Bible. Today, He speaks through the preaching of that Word, through the internal witness of the Holy Spirit applying that Word to our hearts, and through wise biblical counsel. Christians must be vigilant against false voices, and must always return to the foundation:

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

If you want to hear from God: read His Word. If you want to hear Him out loud: read it out loud. The Scriptures are God’s voice for every generation.