How do you know when God is speaking?

I think that for me, the key is that it is not a ritual, it is a relationship. Years ago I was challenged to pick an item that reminded me to think of God. For me it is clouds. When I go walking or just being outside, when I see clouds, it brings me into focus of him. When I look at them I allow myself to be still. I start with hello. I am quiet for a minute, maybe much longer. Sometimes closing my eyes gets me too much into my own head. I try and avoid throwing a shopping list of requests at him. I give myself time for gratitude. I let that expand. I become aware. As I go about my day I try and hold on to those moments and sometimes I see things in a different way. I might be impressed with the need to call someone, or receive a correction on an attitude.
I have had times where I was asked to pray for someone and when praying, started to pray for issues they have not shared with me. Sometimes I see something and share it.
I think one of the more profound times was when I had a dream that my mom told me she had lupus. I had no idea what that was.
When giving a family history to my doctor I mentioned that my mom had lupus, not realizing it was a dream rather than a memory.
I mentioned it to my mom who was horrified. She'd never said that to me. I said that it was a clear memory and realized it for what it was.
Shortly after that I became ill. It took years to diagnose. It was lupus. The dream/vision was about me, not my mom.
I've had several other events like this and I test the living daylights out of them. I would say that this is the impression I have when I pray, or what I saw when I prayed or dreamed, and ask for God's guidance.
So I know I've strayed a bit from your original question but the form is not the important thing, it is to be quiet and not be afraid of silence. Focus and allow that alertness to remain as you go about your day. He is leading, we just have to get out of our own way.

No one need believe me that our Father has spoken to me, but they should believe He is the same always, always. I believe He speaks to all who believe, at least one time in a lifetime. Actually, I believe He does speak to all who believe Him, but you must believe in Him, or you cannot.

How do you knowing when God is speaking to you?

When you read your bible and only then.

So have you never been listening to a Christian song and been inspired or gained understanding from it? Music is a powerful tool it is even used in therapy and for a reason. the brain reacts certain ways to certain tones sounds and vibrations our minds were not created like this by accident God knew what he was doing.

Music is a powerful force. And God predestined every note ever played, just as it was. But only scripture produces faith.

How do you knowing when God is speaking to you?

But doe sit not require faith to be able to hear his voice in the first place? don't get me wrong scripture is indeed a powerful way he speaks to us but I still worry you limit his voice in your understanding of the ways he speaks to us. You have a great respect for the scriptures and that is why I respect you however I also hope I can convince you to eventually open yourself up a bit more to his voice. gifts aside the ability to be tuned in to his voice is not about the gifts rather in our willingness to hear him.

It says scripture completely furnishes us, not music. Faith comes by hearing the word. It is Spirit and life.

I think we need to study the verse found in (1Cor. 4:6). This will help us understand more clearly how important it is to stay so very close to the word of God and go no further.

...that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written,...

This scripture is so very clear and plain.


Whats happening is people have personal thoughts and claim those thoughts came from God.


We have a warning to - not even think above that which is written,... (1Cor.4:6).


The wisdom of God is awesome.


11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; (1Peter 4:11).


Thanks

I think we need to study the verse found in (1Cor. 4:6). This will help us understand more clearly how important it is to stay so very close to the word of God and go no further.

...that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written,...

This scripture is so very clear and plain.


Whats happening is people have personal thoughts and claim those thoughts came from God.


We have a warning to - not even think above that which is written,... (1Cor.4:6).


The wisdom of God is awesome.


11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; (1Peter 4:11).


Thanks

Yes faith does come from hearing the word but it also doesn't say that scripture alone is the way of hearing it. Jesus never quoted scripture as often as he did parables for example which all had biblical teachings and meaning to them.
Even the apostles rarely quoted scripture they spoke what the holy spirit told them to and knew his voice. The Pharisee's knew the scriptures better than the back of their hand yet failed to see recognize or listen to the savior that was promised.

And for that matter when one teaches of God they are to do so according to the holy spirits leading but if scripture alone is how we hear his voice then when one says anything other than scripture itself then it is not God's voice. yet how many post scripture and yet it is misused? Scripture is the word of God but if you are unable to know the holy spirits voice then scripture does nothing for us and we learn the holy spirits voice by communion with him.

Jesus IS the word of God. And all scripture is God-Breathed. You are cheating yourself and others missing out on the Spirit and life contained in the word. Don't settle for less. Don't let the devil take away your only defense, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” Ephesians 6:17 (KJV 1900)

Did I not already give credit to the word? I do not in any ways believe nor am I saying that the scriptures are in any way a lesser way of hearing his voice only that it is not the only way. The ant analogy I posted a few posts before this one, can you agree it is a biblical one? and if so even though it is not scripture itself it is clearly of scripture but if the scriptures are the only way we can hear his voice then by who's spirit and voice did I learn it?

You might find analogies that illustrate the word. But you cannot say they are the word. You apparently have no idea what the Word is or of its power when you speak of it this way. It's the mind of Christ.

Actually if you recall I specifically said it was not scripture but of scripture. We ourselves cannot speak the truth of his word without the holy spirit we lack the insight understanding and spirit to do so. So only by hearing the word can we know and understand it and by that logic my heart heard his voice and understood it's meaning. If it was by any other spirit or voice I would have not understood it at all.

QAlso I would not make assumptions about people based on your own view of them. I have seen and experienced the power that flows in those scriptures and I hold them to be very sacred and holy not a toy and not to be misused. Why do you think I am careful as to how I use it? do you see me all over the forums quoting and cherry picking verses just to prove my own view? Or do you see me using them to help edify and to encourage and guide?

The word of God is the same as a blade, for every blade that can cut and take life there is also a blade that can uphold and save.