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Have you ever felt like asking someone, “How did you know?!” after they prayed for you? Has your jaw nearly hit the floor while listening to a speaker answer questions you recently asked in your head? After pouring your heart out to a friend, did they clear matters up with one simple sentence? Another way God communicates to us is through people.

Years ago, someone made a comment that swept my “faith legs” right out from underneath me. As I drove home, I questioned my belief in God. I arrived home upset as the world as I knew it had been shaken.

That night as I set supper before my two small children, I hesitated to pray because, quite honestly, if God wasn't real, what was the point? It must've been seedtime or harvest as I don't remember my husband being around. I felt very alone as my internal battle raged, and by the third day of this, I was a mess. That's when the phone rang.

It was one of my close sisters in Christ. As we talked I found myself divulging my struggle to her. As I gave into the tears, she began comforting me, and then it happened… A verse came out of her mouth that instantly placed my feet firmly back on the foundation of faith. Out of the thousands of verses in the Bible (There are over 31,000.), God gave her the exact one I needed to hear in that moment. I was reminded I knew Jesus - I KNEW Him.

It was obvious to me that it was God speaking through my friend that day. Only He can bring that kind of peace. But there are other ways to catch His voice in the mouths of those around us. As we pay attention, our ears may perk up as someone says something. We might find that what's said is too specific to be coincidence. While visiting one of my sisters, a friend of hers prayed for me. During that prayer time, God confirmed through her some of the dreams I held for my life. My sister's friend and I had never met before.

God can use conversations that aren't even “spiritual” to talk to us. We notice the Holy Spirit within us rising up, taking notice, and stirring something within. We may find ourselves saying, “Hmmm, there's something to that,” and we can't help but want to search out its deeper meaning. Once God used a conversation about how people call coyotes in with a “wounded prey call” to start a conversation with me about a certain relationship.

As we're walking with Christ and becoming more like Him, we'll find the Holy Spirit leading us to opportunities in which He wants to talk to others through us. (Yes, through you!) He wants to let us in on the fun. The Holy Spirit is called the Helper (John 14:26), and the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and counsel (Isaiah 11:2). It's not surprising He'd want to talk to others through us, is it?!

I don't have to tell you that not everything we say is holy - I prove that on a daily basis. (Not asking for examples to support this. Thanks.) Nor is every encouraging word or piece of advice we receive from God. Some people have been gifted with sensitive “spiritual ears,” but they've tuned their “satellites” into the wrong signal. They may have access to “information,” but it doesn't glorify God, draw us to Jesus, or back the Word. Do not seek their advice, knowledge, or encouragement.

If someone brings something to us they feel may be from God, we should listen, compare it to Scripture, and ask God to confirm it. If it doesn't leave us with peace and line up with God and the Bible, we should REJECT (not receive) it. Yup, you can do that. If they're a sincere believer and simply trying to grow in hearing God, let them know which parts were “on” and which parts weren't. Sometimes as we're learning to hear God's voice, we take what He wants said and mix in a few of our own thoughts.

If someone says “Thus says the Lord'' or “God told me,” we still need to use discernment and test it. For example, if someone comes up to you and says God told them you're supposed to marry them or give them money, don't go by what they say alone - ask God to confirm it to you as well. Wait,...scratch that money part. I'm pretty sure you're supposed to…

Exercise: We can increase the possibility of hearing from God through people by surrounding ourselves with other believers on a regular basis. Are you doing that? Are you sharing your life, concerns, questions, and hopes with other people who are pursuing Jesus?

Have a godly friend pray with you about something that you'd like to hear from God about. Then sit quietly with God and them for a few minutes. After a while, ask them to share anything that came to their mind. How does it fit with what God said to you?

Tip: When you know that someone said something that God was behind, if it's appropriate, let them know. It will encourage them as sometimes people don't recognize God is speaking through them. It may help them to distinguish God's voice as He speaks to (and through) them next time.

May we both surrender our tongues to God daily, speaking by the nudges of the Holy Spirit and encouraging those around us.