Knowing the Voice of God: What Is a Prophet

What do you think of when you think of a prophet? It isn’t always someone who tells the future, as you might think. The simple definition of a prophet is someone who speaks for another.

The simple act of sharing the Word of God as a personal testimony comes from the same Spirit that spoke through the prophets. God’s messengers are all prophets when you realize that a prophet isn’t necessarily someone who performs miracles or predicts the future.

God honored the wish of Moses. In fact, God wanted that very same thing. One way to hear the voice of God is by listening to His people—His messengers. These are normal people, just like you and me.

Ordinary people have been used by God in extraordinary ways. But why does God speak through others? Why doesn’t He just speak directly to people? Why not talk with people face to face?

There’s a reason speaking with God face to face is so rare. In fact, Deuteronomy 34:10 tells us there was never another prophet like Moses, who spoke to God face to face. The main reason God has made this rare is because we simply couldn’t handle it.

Imagine the Almighty God speaking with the same voice that created the universe, split the Red Sea, and flattens mountains. It would be an awe-inspiring experience—but far too overwhelming for our minds and bodies to endure. God knows it is better for us that another speaks for Him, for our sake.

So God chooses certain people to carry His words, and He pours out His Spirit into them. All of His people are ambassadors of Christ when they speak from the Spirit.

The Role of a Prophet

There are three Hebrew words used for prophet:

1. Navi’

This is the most common word for prophet in the Old Testament. Its root meaning is “to call” or “to proclaim.” A navi’ (prophet) is one who is called by God and who proclaims His message.

2. Roeh

This word means “seer.” Its root meaning is “to see.” It describes someone who “sees” visions. At one time, prophets were called seers.

3. Chozeh

This word also means “seer” or “visionary.” While roeh refers to receiving actual visions that must be interpreted, chozeh is more about perception and intuition.

So, a navi’ is a prophet called by God to proclaim His clear word. A roeh is a prophet who receives symbolic visions requiring interpretation. A chozeh is a prophet who is perceptive and insightful, essentially blessed with wisdom from God.

All three words are translated as prophet in English, and all three can apply to a single person depending on the context. Ultimately, the role of a prophet is to give godly wisdom and instruction, and to declare the Word of God.

As Christians, we are also called to give godly wisdom, instruction, and declare the Word of God. This is why the Bible says the testimony of Jesus is the very spirit of prophecy.

How Do Prophets Get Their Messages

If you have read the New Testament, you may have noticed Jesus speaking of a well of living water springing up from inside a person. This living water is where the words of a prophet are meant to come from.

When that well of living water begins to bubble up, you begin to speak the words of the Spirit. This is what a prophet does—he speaks the Word of God that rises up within him.

Unfortunately, people often mistake their feelings for the Holy Spirit. There is a difference. A person who “feels led by the Spirit” is often operating on their own emotions or the imaginations of their heart. A true prophet, however, proclaims the actual Word of God without presumption, personal feeling, or mere “prompting.”

The only reason anyone can rightly speak as a prophet is because they are not the source of the words. It is the Spirit of God Himself who speaks through them, as the well of living water bubbles up within.

When I preach, I often find myself speaking words I had not planned. At times, I have quoted Scriptures I had not read beforehand. In those moments, it almost feels as though I am listening to myself speak, rather than carefully thinking about what to say. The words simply flow, like a bubbling spring of water.

Daniel knew that interpretations could not come by his own ability. Nebuchadnezzar knew this as well. None of the other wise men or supposed “prophets” could tell the king the meaning of his dream.

These abilities are not natural to men. They must come from the supernatural. That means they must come from the Spirit. In Daniel’s case, it was the Spirit of God—the Holy Spirit. Pagan prophets, on the other hand, either prophesied from their own imaginations and emotions, or they were guided by demonic spirits.

False Prophets

Many people speak, claiming that God is speaking through them. Some even believe their words will come to pass because “God will not let His prophets fail.” As if they somehow have power over God—forcing Him to obey their word.

Some have been so misled that they cannot tell the difference between their own imagination and the actual “bubbling up” of the Spirit. We should not be too hard on them, though. They don’t know any better. They have been misled by other false prophets teaching things such as:

“That feeling you get in the pit of your stomach, and the thoughts that come to your mind that you should do or say something—that is the Spirit of God. You must obey it and follow its direction.”

That advice is wrong—and it can even be deadly.

Some even believe you can be taught how to become a prophet. They claim there were once schools where people learned the secrets of the prophets, supposedly training in how to get God to speak through them.

This idea comes from the phrase “sons of the prophets” found in the books of Kings (1 Kings and 2 Kings). But this phrase does not prove there was a “prophet school.”

The term “son of” or “sons of” was used to describe someone joined in purpose and thinking to another. So a “son of a prophet” could simply mean a companion, disciple, or servant of the prophets.

Jesus also said the Pharisees were the “sons of those who killed the prophets.” That did not mean they were literal descendants or students of those specific murderers—it meant they shared the same mindset and purpose.

Likewise, those who live by faith are called the “sons of Abraham.” Again, this is not about lineage or formal training, but about having the same mindset and faith.

So let me make this clear: NO ONE BECOMES A PROPHET JUST BECAUSE THEY WANT TO. No school can train you. God Himself is the one who speaks through a prophet. God Himself chooses who the prophet will be. God Himself decides when to speak and what to say. Our only part is to be willing to obey.

These are marks of false prophets:

• They dare to say, “Thus saith the Lord,” when the Lord has not spoken.
• They rely on their own understanding instead of God’s wisdom.
• They prophesy from their own deceitful heart, guided by feelings and imagination.
• And yet, many do not even realize they are being false.

We often hear advice such as “follow your heart” or “obey the prompting you feel inside.” These false prophets were taught the same way. No wonder so many “feel God” prompting them to say or do something—only to later be proven wrong. God does not operate based on feelings. His Word is certain, not a guess.

Our emotions, passions, excitement, instincts, and that little voice in our head do not equal the voice of the Holy Spirit. More often than not, it is just our own imagination—our inner voice, adrenaline, or poor judgment—that we “feel.” Even if we are right it doesn’t mean we are righteous.

So how does the Holy Spirit reveal His message to a prophet?

Visions and dreams are one way God makes Himself known. But not every dream or vision is from God. Sometimes a dream is just a dream. Sometimes a vision is just low blood sugar.

How do we tell the difference?

In 1 Samuel 3, God revealed Himself to Samuel, and we see this very issue addressed:

Notice this: when God spoke to Samuel, it was not a vague feeling. Samuel did not wonder if it was just his imagination. The voice was so real that he answered, “Here am I,” and ran to Eli.

Samuel had never heard God’s voice before, so he did not recognize who was speaking. He needed Eli’s guidance—not to confirm whether God was speaking, but to know how to respond.

Now let’s look at Saul:

In verse 5, Saul asks, “Who art thou, Lord?” But the question itself shows that Saul already knew the answer. He recognized it was the Lord—he just did not know Him personally yet.

From Samuel and Saul we learn two important lessons:

1. God’s voice is not always recognized at first, but once you know Him personally, you will recognize it.
2. You will know it is not your imagination or impulses. When God speaks, there is no doubt.

Even with dreams and visions, the prophets never had to wonder if it was just the result of a bad meal the night before. They knew when it was God—and when it was not.

We must not presumptuously speak for God. Presumptions are uncertain, rooted in feelings and imaginations. But God’s Word is certain.

God may speak in many ways—but none of those ways rely on our imagination. If there is doubt, then it was not God. When it truly is God, you will not need another person to convince you.

So far we see that God speaks through His Word, through dreams and visions, and through His prophets. But there are two more ways God speaks, which we will examine in the next studies in this unit.

Continue To Unit 4:6 – Knowing the Voice of God: The Audible Voice of God OR

Return To Christianity 101 Unit 4 – The Baptism of the Holy Spirit