Do you hear Jesus?

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27 ESV)

For the true believer, to hear the voice of Jesus means to hear and obey his commandments. Often when Jesus used the word "hear" he meant it as "receive." Certainly there were many who were present when Jesus spoke, and they heard the words he said, but didn't receive them and practice them. They were described as not hearing.

Some use this verse to teach that we should listen today for the actual voice of God or Jesus to instruct us. While it is true that God spoke directly to Christians in the first century by means of apostles and prophets, that was necessary because the New Testament Scriptures were not yet written down, copied, and distributed throughout the places where Christians lived. Now that the New Testament is complete, the Scriptures are sufficient for communicating the words of God to us, and helping us in any situation (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).

There is no indication in the Bible that we should listen for God to speak directly to us today, outside of what we read in his Word. Someone who says that God has spoken to them directly should be regarded with suspicion. What they claim God said to them is either already found in the Bible, making the direct speaking unnecessary, or it is not found in the Bible, making it suspicious. It is a dangerous thing to say, "The Lord has said..." if the Lord did not really speak.