5 Ways God Speaks During Evangelism — And How You Can Recognize His Voice

In a world full of noise — opinions, trends, and beliefs — there is one voice that can touch hearts like no other: the voice of God. Jesus says in John 5:25 that the dead will come to life by hearing His voice! And sure enough, a few chapters later, we see Lazarus raised from the dead after hearing the voice of Jesus — a beautiful metaphor of how every person can come to spiritual life by hearing God’s Word!

Evangelism Through Relationship

Evangelism is not a human strategy but a heavenly mission. That’s why it’s crucial to learn to listen to the One who sends you. If you learn to understand God’s voice, you’ll also learn to recognize when, how, to whom, and what to speak. Effective evangelism is not just about having knowledge of the Gospel, but about having a personal relationship with the Living God. That relationship enables you to know His voice, follow it, and carry His message to the four corners of the earth—and even right in your neighborhood. Jesus says in John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” This isn’t an exception for a few special believers — it’s the norm for every disciple. You were created to hear His voice. And once you learn to recognize it, you can go out with boldness and power to call others to life.

How Does God Speak to You During Evangelism?

1. Through His Word — The Foundation
   Every time you open the Word, God speaks about who He is, how He wants to save people, and how you can be used by Him in that. It reveals His nature. But beyond that, the Gospel is also power. Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes…”
   So when you evangelize, it’s not about your charisma or personality — it’s about the supernatural power released when the Gospel is preached! Wow, that’s good news!

   The more you read and memorize God’s Word, the more it becomes part of you—deep within. And you’ll start to notice that, like a bucket that draws water from a well, you’ll recall the Word of God while you’re out sharing Jesus with someone. Suddenly, a verse will come to mind that fits perfectly. Maybe you won’t remember the exact Bible reference, but that doesn’t matter. Be filled with the Word and memorize some key verses — not to recite them like a robot, but so that living, powerful truth becomes deeply rooted in you. Here are a few verses to get you started:

• “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” – 1 John 4:9
• “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9
• “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16
• “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” – John 17:3

2. Through the Holy Spirit — Guidance in the Moment
   Evangelism is not a one-size-fits-all. Of course, the Good News is for everyone, but how it should be shared is not a formula. The Holy Spirit knows exactly what someone needs. So ask Him to guide you while evangelizing, and ask Him for a sensitivity to His promptings. Sometimes, He will lead you to a specific person or place, or give you a clear impression or word of knowledge.

   In John 16:13, Jesus says: “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” That applies even in a conversation with a stranger at the grocery store. Trust that the Holy Spirit will speak through you, even when your mind runs out of words. He knows what they need — listen to His gentle whisper.

3. Through Inner Promptings — Sensitivity to His Prompting
   A sudden urge to speak to someone, a sense of compassion or an uneasy feeling — this could be God’s voice. Sometimes His voice will sound like your own thoughts or emotions. But it’s important that you test what you sense with the Word of God — especially if you’re going to share it with others — because God’s voice always aligns with His Word. His Word brings truth in love, without condemnation. When God speaks, it is always aimed at restoring and saving people. He is good and loving. And yes, He is just. But that’s exactly why the Gospel is such Good News!
4. Through Dreams, Visions, and Impressions — God Shows the Way
   Sometimes God will show you something at night, or give you a picture of a person or place during prayer. Don’t ignore it. Write it down and ask Him to show you how to act on it. Many missionaries and evangelists have shared how visions literally showed them their next steps as they navigated uncharted territory.
5. Through Words of Knowledge
   Words of knowledge are powerful because they are so personal that people immediately feel seen. What is a word of knowledge? It’s a revelation of something you couldn’t know naturally, but that God shows you to open someone’s heart. Think of spontaneous physical pain (e.g., back pain), a specific name, place, event, or a sudden emotion (e.g., depression, fear, rejection). Words of knowledge are meant to make God’s love and nearness tangible for people who don’t yet know Him.

How Do You Receive a Word of Knowledge?

• A sudden thought: “left shoulder,” “Jack,” “car accident”
• A feeling in your own body (e.g., headache)
• A mental image or scene
• An inner certainty or “knowing”

Put It Into Practice
Ask the Holy Spirit at the start of your day, or before outreach:
“Is there anything You want to show me for someone You want to touch today?”
Then listen without pressure. Write down what comes to mind. Ready to step out? Be bold but respectful. Say something like, “This might sound strange, but do you happen to have something going on with your right ankle?”

What if you’re wrong? That’s okay. You’re learning. Just say nicely, “Thanks for being open to it. Can I still pray for you?” Even if you miss it, people are often touched just because you took the time for them.

Remember: God doesn’t ask for perfection, but for obedience. Living by faith means stepping out of the boat! Practice listening to and obeying the voice of your Heavenly Father. Then you won’t just preach the Gospel — you’ll demonstrate it, with love and the power of the Holy Spirit.

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About Johan Toet Ministries

Our mission is to reach as many people as possible with the Gospel in the shortest time possible. We do this primarily through large open-air crusades all around the world.
www.johantoet.com