Getting a Word from God – How to Hear the Holy Spirit Speak

In this video, Pastor Jason Mayfield lays down the truth about getting a word from God—how the Holy Spirit speaks, how to recognize His voice, and how to position yourself to hear Him clearly. If you've ever felt stuck, confused, or like you need divine direction but don't know where to turn, this message is for you.

1. The Word of God is the Foundation

Pastor Mayfield kicks off by reading Psalm 1 (ESV) and emphasizing the key to living a blessed life: delighting in, meditating on, and being planted in the Word of God. The Bible is inspired, inerrant, infallible, immutable, and authoritative—but it’s not exhaustive. That means while Scripture gives us God’s principles, it doesn’t always give us direct, step-by-step instructions for every life decision (there’s no “how to change a spark plug” section in Leviticus, folks).

That’s why we need to hear from the Holy Spirit.

2. The Holy Spirit Speaks Through Scripture

The primary way the Holy Spirit speaks to believers is through the Word of God. Jesus Himself said in John 14:26 that the Spirit would remind us of what He’s already said. So, when you're facing a situation, don’t be surprised when a Bible verse pops into your mind—that’s the Holy Ghost doing His thing.

But let’s be real: if your Bible stays closed, don’t expect to get much out of it. You can’t remember what you never knew in the first place.

3. The Holy Spirit Has a “Dialect”

Just like people have accents and ways of speaking, the Holy Spirit has a dialect—and that dialect is Scripture. When He speaks, He sounds like the Bible. The more time you spend in the Word, the easier it is to recognize when He's talking.

Pastor Mayfield shares a hilarious (and true) example of how older saints used to prophesy in King James English—“Thus saith the Lord, thou shalt knoweth the glory of God…”—while younger believers who read the NIV heard the Holy Spirit speaking in plain modern English.

The takeaway? The Holy Spirit speaks in the language of the Word you know.

4. Your Pastors Are a Voice in Your Life

If you’re struggling to hear God, one of the best things you can do is lean into the preaching of your pastor. God has placed an anointed voice in the house, and when you receive the Word with faith and expectation, what starts as a sermon can become a personal prophetic word for your situation.

Practical steps?

• Bring a physical Bible to church. Digital Bibles aren’t cutting it—Bible literacy has declined as digital use has increased.

• Take notes. Quit using offering envelopes for scribbles. Invest in a notebook.

• Lean in. Change your posture when the Word is preached. Listen with expectation.

5. Worship Prepares You to Hear from God

Pastor Mayfield makes it clear—worship isn’t just for Sunday mornings. It has a supernatural ability to sink deep into your spirit and stick to your mind.

• When your worship leader says, “Lift your hands,” it’s not just a suggestion—it’s a prophetic act. Your response in worship trains your spirit to obey God’s voice.

• Worship is portable. You don’t have to wait for Sunday—you can start worshiping at home today.

6. A Word from God Will Sustain You Through Any Season

In one of the most powerful moments of the sermon, Pastor Mayfield shares a deeply personal story. At 18, he was preparing for ministry when his alcoholic father threatened his life with a rifle. That night, he had to leave home with nothing. He had every reason to walk away from the call of God, but he didn’t—because he had a word from the Lord.

A simple worship song—“Here I am, send me”—became the foundation that carried him through. Now, nearly two decades later, that one word from God has led to millions of people reached with the Gospel.

7. You Can Hear from God Today

If you’re feeling distant from God, if you’re desperate for direction, or if you know you need to get right with Jesus, this is your moment.

The key to hearing from God? Get in the Word, lean into the preached message, and worship like you mean it. The Holy Spirit wants to speak to you—the question is, will you position yourself to listen?

Watch the full message and let the Word transform you. This could be the day you get a word from God that changes everything.