HOW DO I KNOW ITS GOD SPEAKING?
I’ll never forget the first time someone told me they had a word for me from the Lord. It was a strange and somewhat confusing prophecy which brought more fear than anything else. Was this really from God? Or was is a counterfeit from Satan, or just words from a sincere but confused woman? Why wouldn’t God tell me Himself? Wasn’t I listening to Him that He needed to communicate with me through someone else? And why did the message bring confusion, not peace?
Sometimes God’s message to His Old Testament prophets were very strange. Hosea was told to marry a prostitute (Hosea 1). Isaiah was commanded to go around naked for a year (Isaiah 1). Did they wonder if it was really God they were hearing? They obeyed, and clearly God was behind them and had a good reason for what He told them to do (Isaiah 20:3-6). How can we know for sure what we hear comes from God Himself and nothing or no one else?
God speaks through: The Bible (Psalms 119:105), Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3), Sign and Wonders (Acts 3:6-7), Tests (Judges 6:36-38), Godly People (Proverbs 8:32-34), Children at Bedtime (1 Samuel 3:8-9), The Creation (Romans 1:20), Preachers and Prophets (Acts 11:27-28), Donkeys (Numbers 22:30), Bushes (Exodus 3:1-4), Angels (Luke 1:26-28), The Angel of the Lord (Genesis 22:10-11), God’s Glory (Exodus 33:18-19), Circumstances (Acts 16:6-8), Reasons (Isaiah 1:18), Dreams (Joel 2:28), Visions (Joel 2:28), Failures (Matthew 26:75) and Holy Spirit to Human Spirit (Jeremiah 29:12-13). Obviously, there is no one ‘approved’ way. If we can’t tell by the channel of communication if it is God or Satan’s counterfeit, we must look elsewhere to understand the source.
Over the years I have come to understand my wife’s words, pauses, inflections, emotions and moods. I can recognize her voice easily because I am very familiar with hearing it. The more I listen to God, the more recognizable His voice becomes as well. There are traits and characteristics that help me be assured it is from Him. Usually, the thought He communicates is not something I had been thinking, it is new and it has a ‘rightness’ all over it (1 Kings 19:11-13). It brings joy and motivation. Even when it is conviction of sin, there isn’t fear or guilt – just a desire to turn from the sin and be done with it. His voice is quiet, gentle and positive.
When the voice speaking to me is Satan or my own flesh that is not true. I often feel failure, guilt, fear or dread of the future. Bondage, not freedom, results (Matthew 11:28-30). His words speak to the very core of my being (Hebrews 4:12). From God, I have peace (Philippians 4:7) and know everything is under control (Jeremiah 29:12-13). When it isn’t from Him, I feel fear and panic. I’m not motivated to thank or praise Him.
God’s messages are clear, specific and understandable. Those not from Him are confusing, uncertain and sometimes vague (John 16:8). God’s leading lines up 100% with the Word of God. Those from Satan or the flesh are full of deceit, half-truths and lies (John 14:6). When I share God’s words with mature believers, they make sense to them as well (Proverbs 11:14; Deuteronomy 19:15; and Matthew 18:16). As we mature spiritually, our increasing spiritual experience and discernment allow us to distinguish between God’s Spirit and our self or Satan. (February 6, 2023 Doylestown, PA)
Isaiah 28:23 “Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say.”
How do YOU know when God is speaking to you and it isn’t Satan or your own flesh?
Spend some time now quietly listening to whatever He wants to say to you.
FREE BIBLE INFO: Studying the Bible is my passion. I have hundreds of articles, books, sermons, Bible study courses, teaching lessons and videos on my web site https://www.christiantrainingonline.org/ Subjects covered include apologetics, Bible history, Bible culture and doctrine, emotional health, articles for men, marriage, family, relationships, pastoring, spiritual life, spiritual warfare and the Old and New Testament. If you have questions or I can help you please email me at jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling)
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