When God Speaks...

When God speaks, will you hear Him? His voice is usually not a very clear, very audible, speaking voice. That's extremely rare! His 'voice' could be many things. A gentle prodding to do something. A 'you know you shouldn't do that' or 'that's wrong' feeling, like your conscience. That awesome happy warm feeling you get after you've done something good. Or, have you ever been a church service, sermon, etc. and felt like what the pastor/person was saying applied directly to you life in some way, like he was speaking right to you specifically? That too.  Or maybe just a 'thought' in your head that, for whatever reason, you thought was God. In the case of the first one and the last one, what you hear could be one of three things: either its God, Satan, or simply just your own thoughts and feelings. How can you tell which is which? How do u know the others mentioned are God? its simple, really. Just ask yourself the following questions to see whether or not its God.
1. Does it line up with His character?
Does it match up with what you know of God, Jesus, and His character so far? Would Jesus do it, or tell you to do it? Would God (of the new testament!) tell you to do it? What do you think? Not sure? Ask a Christian friend or mentor.
2. Does it line up with scripture, His word?
The bible is God's word, His love letter to His children. Does it say anywhere in the bible that you should not do the thing you think 'God" is telling you? if so, its not God. On the opposite end of the spectrum, does it actually encourage that you do this anywhere in the bible? If so, it is most likely God talking to you.
3. Does it line up with your character?
Remember, God created you the way you are. If what  you think God is telling you goes completely against a deeply held passion of yours, its not God. He gave you that passion for a reason, and wouldn't want you to just throw it away. Like if you're a talented musician, but you think God is telling you to put down the microphone and/or instrument forever and completely walk away from the talent He so graciously gave you, its not God.

And, finally, here are a few ways that could help you decide if it is Him in the future
1. Get to know God better - read the bible and pray, talk to him!
The more you have read the Bible, the more you know the Bible. The more you know and understand the bible, the more you know and understand God and His desires for you. And how should you know what anyone thinks, or wants to tell you, or wants for you, or how can you get a closer relationship with them if you never talk to them? God is the same way!
2. Ask a trusted Christian mentor and/or friend.
Preferably someone older than you who has more experience, but it doesn't have to be. This person who also has a relationship with Jesus/God and whom you trust can be a very helpful person to have around for many reasons. This can be one of them. Tell them the situation and they can help you decide, if you are unsure, whether or not it is God.