He Learned How To Hear God’s Voice… And You Can Too | Jamie Winship

In a world filled with noise and uncertainty, the ability to hear God's voice can transform lives and redefine purpose. Jamie Winship’s story is a remarkable testament to what happens when obedience to God transcends fear, societal expectations, and even personal safety. From his early days as a police officer to his courageous journey into the Muslim world, Jamie's experiences reveal the power of divine guidance and the profound impact it can have when we learn to listen and respond.

This article dives deep into Jamie’s incredible journey, exploring how he learned to hear God’s voice, the challenges he faced, and the practical wisdom he offers to anyone longing to cultivate a similar connection. Whether you’re seeking encouragement in your spiritual walk or wondering how to discern God’s voice in your own life, Jamie’s story offers insights, inspiration, and hope.

Table of Contents

• 🚓 The Calling and Early Challenges
• 🔍 Unorthodox Policing and Divine Guidance
• 💰 Faith in Financial Hardships
• 🌍 Lessons from the Muslim World
• 🕊️ The Power of Hearing God’s Voice
• 🌱 Kingdom vs. Empire: A New Worldview
• 🗝️ Practical Steps to Hearing God’s Voice
• 📚 Resources and Continuing the Journey
• ❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ❓
• 🌟 Conclusion: Embrace the Journey of Hearing God 🌟

🚓 The Calling and Early Challenges

Jamie’s calling began with a profound spiritual experience in eighth grade, sparked by watching the movie Serpico, a story about a police officer battling corruption. This experience stirred something deep within him—a desire to live a life of integrity and courage, even when the path seemed difficult and lonely.

Despite growing up in a strict independent Baptist environment that forbade movies and rock music, Jamie’s encounter with this film was a pivotal moment. He cried throughout the movie, overwhelmed by the beauty and the courage displayed. The realization that God was inviting him into a significant mission began to take root.

Years later, as a police officer, Jamie sought to embody the love and patience exemplified by a nurse who shared Christ with him during a hospital stay. Her unoffendable love and persistence in the face of his hostility inspired him to model that same love in his work, even in the toughest neighborhoods.

🔍 Unorthodox Policing and Divine Guidance

Jamie’s approach to policing was anything but conventional. Instead of relying solely on traditional methods, he began to listen for God’s guidance in real-time, asking questions and acting on the impressions he received. This led to remarkable outcomes, such as inviting a gang leader to his home for dinner—a move that transformed the man's life and led to a reduction in drug activity.

This unorthodox method raised eyebrows, especially when Jamie made the bold decision to “dearrest” a man who had committed serious felonies, including assaulting a police officer. Guided by a strong impression from God, Jamie stopped his car, released the man, and faced significant backlash from his superiors. Yet, this act of obedience opened doors to a year-long partnership with the man, resulting in numerous arrests and community restoration efforts.

Jamie’s story challenges the conventional “good guys vs. bad guys” mentality. Even as a believer, he wrestled with seeing people through this lens, but the journey taught him to love unconditionally and to recognize the true identity God places in every individual.

💰 Faith in Financial Hardships

Jamie’s journey was not without financial trials. During graduate school, he and his wife Donna faced a devastating financial loss during the Savings and Loan crisis, wiping out years of savings just when tuition payments were due. Instead of succumbing to fear, they chose to trust God completely, living with zero income and no financial reserves.

Their obedience was met with miraculous provision—unexpected gifts, timely cash found in unusual places, and the peace to continue their studies without borrowing money. These experiences became a practical demonstration of God’s faithfulness and a training ground for trusting Him in future challenges overseas.

Jamie emphasizes that this kind of faith is not about prosperity but about having just enough at the right time. This mindset freed his family from the anxiety of financial insecurity and expanded their capacity to serve wherever God called them.

🌍 Lessons from the Muslim World

After graduate school, Jamie and his family spent a decade in Indonesia, navigating a vastly different cultural and religious landscape. His role, initially defined by the State Department as infiltrating and pacifying militant organizations, evolved dramatically as he learned to respect and honor the people he served among.

Jamie’s arrest and trial for insulting the Quran were pivotal moments. Facing a potential 10-year prison sentence in a Muslim court with no advocate and little support, he found unexpected mercy through a Muslim PhD student who testified on his behalf. This encounter reinforced the lesson that God is present everywhere—even where we might least expect it—and that respectful communication is vital.

Jamie learned that to effectively share Jesus with Muslims, he needed to find “another way to say it,” honoring their culture instead of offending it. This wisdom shaped his approach to ministry and personal interactions, illustrating the importance of cultural sensitivity in sharing faith.

🕊️ The Power of Hearing God’s Voice

Central to Jamie’s story is the transformative power of learning to hear God’s voice clearly. He describes this as a skill anyone can develop, emphasizing that God speaks to all of us continuously, but many are trained to hear only the negative, accusatory voices.

Jamie encourages people to seek God intentionally, asking questions like, “What am I afraid of?” and “Who told me I was a disappointment?” These questions uncover false beliefs and open the way for healing and renewed identity in Christ. He stresses that fear is a God-given emotion designed to point out lies we believe about ourselves, God, and the world.

Learning to discern God’s voice requires practice and courage, starting with quiet moments of prayer and silence. Jamie shares practical advice for shutting down the critical voices and tuning in to the affirming, loving voice of God that declares, “You are enough. You are loved.”

🌱 Kingdom vs. Empire: A New Worldview

Jamie contrasts two worldviews that shape human behavior: the Kingdom worldview and the Empire worldview. The Empire worldview is rooted in scarcity, fear, and separation—believing life is a zero-sum game where one’s gain is another’s loss. This mindset breeds anxiety, conflict, and self-protection.

In contrast, the Kingdom worldview is based on connection, abundance, and mystery. It recognizes that God is omnipresent and that separation is an illusion. This perspective fosters peace, generosity, and other-focused living.

Jamie explains that much of human conflict stems from internal wars—fear and false identities that create separation. By embracing the Kingdom worldview, believers can overcome anxiety and live with a sense of enoughness, purpose, and divine timing.

🗝️ Practical Steps to Hearing God’s Voice

For those longing to develop a relationship where they can hear God clearly, Jamie offers practical steps:

• Get alone with God: Create space for silence and listen intentionally.
• Ask God to teach you: Invite Him to help you discern His voice amidst the noise.
• Identify and confront fear: Don’t pray fear away; understand what it points to and ask God to reveal the truth.
• Practice shutting down the critical voice: Use faith and prayer to silence lies and amplify God’s affirming voice.
• Trust the process: The more you listen, the clearer and louder God’s voice becomes, even in difficult circumstances.

Jamie reminds us that hearing God is not about memorizing scripts but about learning to say what He is saying in each moment with respect and love.

📚 Resources and Continuing the Journey

Jamie and his organization, Identity Exchange, provide training and coaching to help individuals, including police officers and sports teams, discover their true identity and overcome fear, guilt, and shame. His book Living Fearlessly and the accompanying guided journal offer practical exercises for those wanting to deepen their ability to hear God’s voice.

For those interested in learning more, Jamie’s website identityexchange.com offers courses, coaching, and resources designed to walk people through this transformative journey.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ❓

Q1: Can anyone learn to hear God’s voice?

A: Absolutely. Jamie emphasizes that God speaks to everyone, but many are trained to hear only the negative voices. With intentional practice, anyone can learn to discern and respond to God’s voice.

Q2: How do I know if what I’m hearing is from God?

A: God’s voice produces life, peace, and redemption. Jamie encourages believers to test impressions against Scripture and the fruit they produce. Over time, with practice, you’ll learn to recognize God’s voice distinctly.

Q3: What if I’m afraid to obey what God tells me?

A: Fear is natural and points to lies we believe about ourselves or God. Jamie advises addressing fear directly by asking God to reveal its source and to help replace lies with truth. Obedience often requires courage, but it leads to growth and blessing.

Q4: Is it too late to start hearing God’s voice or following His calling?

A: Never. Jamie shares stories of people discovering God’s voice and purpose late in life, finding those years to be the most exhilarating. God does not waste time, and it’s never too late to begin.

Q5: How can I overcome the negative voices in my head?

A: Jamie teaches the practice of shutting down critical, accusatory voices in the name of Jesus and turning up the volume on God’s affirming voice. This requires intentional prayer, scripture meditation, and listening in quietness.

Q6: How does this apply to everyday life and relationships?

A: Hearing God’s voice transforms how we relate to ourselves and others. It fosters love, patience, and understanding, replacing fear-driven conflict with peace and connection. Jamie’s teachings apply to all aspects of life, including work, family, and community.

🌟 Conclusion: Embrace the Journey of Hearing God 🌟

Jamie Winship’s journey—from a young boy inspired by a movie to a police officer who dared to dearrest a felon based on divine prompting, to a missionary navigating cultural challenges in the Muslim world—shows us the life-changing power of obedience and listening to God.

His story is a call to each of us: to seek God earnestly, to confront our fears honestly, and to embrace the identity God has uniquely given us. It reminds us that God’s voice is alive, present, and eager to guide us through every challenge and opportunity.

Whether you’re just starting to hear God or looking to deepen your relationship, the path is open. With practice, faith, and courage, you too can learn to hear God’s voice and live fearlessly in His calling.