That is a very good question and I trust we can give you scriptures to show you that the “spirits of those who have died” can indeed hear and speak. I would draw your attention to the portion in 1st Samuel 28 first. We learn in verse 3 that “Samuel had died.” Then we see that Saul was afraid of the army of the Philistines (verse 5) and needed counsel from the LORD. Before Samuel died, he would go to him for the Lord’s counsel but since he had died, we read that he went directly to the Lord. “And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dream or by Urim or by the prophets” (verse 6). Saul knew it was wrong to use a medium to consult the dead but in verse 7 we read, “Then Saul said to his servants, ‘Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may inquire of her.’” One was found and Saul said to her, “Please conduct a séance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you” (verse 8). She asked “Whom shall I bring up for you?” and he said, “Bring up Samuel for me” (verse 11). To her amazement, Samuel did appear for she told Saul, “I saw a SPIRIT ascending out of the earth…. An old man is coming up, and he is covered with a mantle” (verses 13-14). In verse 15 we read, “Now Samuel SAID to Saul, ‘Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up’” and in verses 16-19 Samuel delivered a message from the Lord to him.” This passage alone teaches us that Samuel had died but his SPIRIT WAS still alive and ABLE TO SPEAK.

In Luke chapter 16:19-31 the Lord Jesus told the true story of two men who had died. In verses 22-23 we read, “So it was that the beggar died, and was CARRIED BY THE ANGELS TO ABRAHAM’S BOSOM. The rich man also died and was buried. And BEING IN TORMENTS IN HADES, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” This clearly teaches us that when one dies, their body is dead and buried, but their SPIRIT LIVES ON and is conscious. In verse 24 we read, “Then he cried and SAID, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am torments in this flame.” The rich man’s spirit was not only conscious, but he could SPEAK. If you read on in verses 25-31 you will see that the rich man and Abraham had a conversation, so the rich man could also HEAR. These two examples (of Samuel and the rich man) prove that those who have died CAN HEAR AND SPEAK.

Now we need to address your words, “The Bible tells us that those who are sleeping can’t hear or speak.” This is simply not true. I believe you were thinking of Ecclesiastes 9:3-5 where King Solomon said, “This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that ONE THING HAPPENS TO ALL. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that THEY GO TO THE DEAD. But for him who is joined TO ALL THE LIVING THERE IS HOPE, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die; but THE DEAD KNOW NOTHING, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.” Throughout this whole book Solomon is an OBSERVER of things “done under the sun.” He was on a quest to discover the meaning of life in this present world. To him death ended everything concerning one’s life on earth. There is NO MORE HOPE and thus nothing to look forward to. In saying, “the dead know nothing” he is in essence saying “all knowledge of life in this world is behind them.” The dead “have no more reward” (all pleasures “under the sun” are gone) and “the memory of them is forgotten” (all praise and honor received from men vanish in time like the dew with the rising sun). This was Solomon’s conclusion regarding death in contrast to this present life on earth. He knew nothing (by Divine revelation) of what exactly happens to one’s spirit AFTER death. If he had known, he would have told us that the “spirit lives on and is not only conscious, but can hear and speak.” It wasn’t until the Lord Jesus appeared that we learn of this (as we saw in Luke 16:22-31). The Apostle Paul was also used of God to speak of the condition of one’s spirit after death. In 2nd Corinthians 5:8 we read, “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be ABSENT FROM THE BODY and to be PRESENT WITH THE LORD.” He also said (in Philippians 1:21 & 23), “For to me, to live is Christ, and TO DIE IS GAIN…. having a desire TO DEPART AND BE WITH CHRIST, WHICH IS FAR BETTER.”  (DO)  (593.3)