Wait...was that really God I Heard?
- Christine DiGiacomo
- 43 minutes ago
- 4 min read
So, let's talk a little more about this most mysterious member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. Present at Creation, He then rested upon Old Testament figures chosen to communicate particular messages - usually to be passed on to others.
He also imparted supernatural power for particular tasks--think Elijah, Mount Carmel, who set up an unbelievable contest with the prophets of Baal, in 1 Kings chapter 18.1
I have stood on the mountain, still, visualizing what that must have looked like! Oh, our God is mighty, and relationship with him is exciting.
Following my last Morning Briefing, "When God speaks, do you hear him?" https://conta/cc/4xVcbSj, how do you know it was God you heard? What if you believe that God has spoken to you . . . or perhaps you sense his leading in one direction or another, how do you know it's God's voice and not your own or perhaps even someone else’s?
In an age of 'do what makes you happy,' 'God only wants you to be happy,' 'look within - you will find the truth' -- all of which are faulty thoughts; folks believe wrong things. Frankly, the stakes are just too high to believe lies or half truths.
What to think...interview yourself about the nature of what you believe God spoke. ‘The most important questions to consider are these:
Is it consistent with Scripture?
Does it line up with the character of God?
Is the voice gently leading, or is it commanding and harsh?'
Will the message potentially lead you down a wrong path?
Commanding, critical, harsh? Yes, perhaps words repeat themselves in your mind--words that tear you down like 'well, if you weren't so stupid, you would know what to do'. God does not speak to his children like that. You have internalized these words from another source--your critical father? Maybe your unkind spouse. Maybe your poor self image, feeling you have never measured up and never will. Your loving Heavenly Father would never speak to you like that.
->God's voice gently guides and encourages, gives hope, and always, truth--
Consider how David described this
You have given me the shield of your salvation,
and your right hand supported me,
and your gentleness made me great.2
>God leads; Satan drives--
Jesus self described as the Good Shepherd. I can settle myself right there.
In describing the Good Shepherd, Jesus said,
When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them,
and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.3
There is another voice we sometimes hear--that of the deceiver, Satan himself.
>Whereas God convicts, Satan condemns and brings guilt; he accuses.
When God speaks, He does not use fear to motivate.
If fear overcomes you, it is the enemy, Satan.
Paul made that clear in these sage words:
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of a sound mind."4
Remind yourself of the truth of that statement.
Some people do not want to even countenance the idea that there is a devil, which is quite foolish. We must be aware of his existence, his ability to steal and kill and destroy, the verbs Jesus himself used to describe Satan's activity in John 10.5
Peter, knowing well how the devil had deceived him, (so much so that he denied his Lord even though Jesus had warned him that he would do so), later wrote,
Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour.6
Do not think for one instant that the great deceiver, who began his reign of terror with making Eve second guess what she knew to be true of God, is not still at work.
When the devil tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, he stirred up the sinful nature in her. He did this through a clever line of reasoning, questioning God’s words and his love for her.7
When you are trying to ascertain that what you are hearing or sensing is from God, your most important reference is the Bible, which describes who God is and how he acts; then the witness of the Holy Spirit within and finally, circumstances. Ask God for his direction, for answers to the questions you have in your life. Then look for his leading. It is when I am in a posture of prayer, that I sense the greatest leading from God...it is when I am praying that I sometimes hear his voice, sense his leading.
Similarly, when someone else tells you that God told them such and such, you must also be discerning! Some easily bandy about, ‘the Lord told me’ or ‘the Lord showed me in a dream,’ such and such. 'Seems to carry some authority, 'the Lord told me'—should it? Not necessarily. Please, Friends, be discerning. The message must line up with God’s Word, and be consistent with his character. Which again leads us back to being people of the Word, and people in the Word.
I have an idea for you--
ASK GOD TO GIVE YOU A PASSIONATE LOVE FOR HIS WORD.
I guarantee it will change your life.
You will hear God speak again ... and again.
Listen please: "Speak O Lord "- Keith & Kristyn Getty -
and another: Ellie Holcomb, "Where can I Go? Ps.139"
Christine
Holy Spirit: Who or What? #13
1 - 1 Kings 18
2 - Psalms 18.35
3 - John 10.4
4 - 2 Timothy 1.7
5 - John 10.10
6 - 1 Peter 5.8
7 - Genesis 3:1–7
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