Identifying The Voice Of God
From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.
Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.”
But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
(MATTHEW 16:21-25)
Somewhere around four months of age, a baby begins to identify her parents? voices. Having heard them speak for weeks, the child can now distinguish that they sound different from other people. Similarly, God has supplied us, His children, with the capacity to recognize His voice. Over time we can learn to distinguish Him speaking to us through His Word, His responses to our prayers, and godly people. To help identify God?s voice, ask :
1. Is the message CONSISTENT with the Word of God? By examining Scripture, we will know to reject the voice that tells us we are under condemnation (Romans 8:1) and accept the word that God forgives us.
2. Does God?s instruction CONFLICT with human reasoning? If so, it could be from Him?God tells us to turn the other cheek and to love our enemies; He also says the last shall be first.
3. Do God?s words CLASH with our fleshly wants? God wants us to have godly enjoyment but objects to our gratifying earthly desires outside His plan.
4. Are God?s words a CHALLENGE to our faith? He wants to build our faith so our relationship with Him will deepen.
5. Is COURAGE required to act on God?s words? When God speaks, a decision requiring a sacrifice or change in direction is often necessary.
God promises we can distinguish His voice so we can follow Him. He doesn?t want us listening to ?strangers,? or we would go astray. (John 10:4-5)
“Identifying the Voice of God” by Dr. Charles Stanley appeared in In Touch magazine,? March 2004. Copyright ? IN TOUCH MINISTRIES. P.O. Box 7900, Atlanta, GA 30357. All rights reserved. www.intouch.org. Used with permission.
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About the Author
This article was written by Charles Stanley. You can read more about this author by clicking this link:
http://www.talk.thelife.com/charles-stanley/
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