How can one discern if something is from God, Satan, or one's own desire, especially since Satan can disguise himself as an "angel of light"?
You can ask yourself, this:
Does what I’m doing (or planning to do) or say, conflict with God's will or Scripture? Will it bring glory to God?
Always start here, because God’s Word will never contradict what He’s asking you to do. God is always true to Himself and His Word is always true and relevant. If it’s clearly spelled out in Scripture, then we clearly know His will.
Does what I am doing conflict with the Holy Spirit within me?
God sent the Holy Spirit as a Helper. He will guide us with an inner peace, or a holy unrest. If Christ is in you, He will not leave you to make a decision completely alone. Often God provides a peace or a lack thereof, when He is trying to confirm His will. That is, the Holy Spirit will tell our conscience whether he approves or not. We never want to grieve the Holy Spirit.
Whatever you are pondering, does this decision still leave you feeling confused? Satan is the author of confusion, not God. Go back to what God would do, and read His Word for the answer. Ask for wisdom and clearer understanding. Further, God's voice won't give you a negative message. He always wants, and does things, for our good.
Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
Jesus said, “My sheep know my voice.” (John 10:27)
God sometimes uses people to confirm His voice.
Even in circumstances, in my experience, God often sends people into our path to confirm His will for our life. People who follow God with their life, can help us to hear from God.
Recognize that God has a plan.
Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Rick Warren has sold millions of books telling us that we should live our life with a purpose. God’s purpose. That matches up with what God says in His Word, in Jeremiah 29:11.
Sometimes our circumstances may look gloomy, but we haven’t heard the truth of our circumstances, until we have heard from God. God will speak to you, during your darkest days — when He has your closest attention.
Fear is a great tool of the enemy. The devil can use circumstances to lead us [u]away[/u] from God. This is where the Scripture and other people you trust, can help you with discernment. God's Word says there is no fear in perfect love, and what more perfect love could we have, than the love of Jesus?
Hearing from God is critical for the children of God to know God’s will for our life. Don't get impatient. When you pray, wait for the answer. It will come in God's timing, not yours. He knows exactly what you need, and when, so just please trust him. He always answers. Be willing to accept his answer. Sometimes the answer is "no", in order to protect us. We don't want to get ahead of God and try to manipulate circumstances on our own, because then, we will be out of His will, and mess up His plan for good in our lives.
Our mission is to learn how to hear His voice. We must listen intently and carefully for His voice, and drown out the crowd of noises in the world in which we live, listening only to His. With one exception. Thankfully, God has not given up on us, but is still speaking to His people today. That means from other fellow Christians, as well. However, weigh their words carefully, as well. Make sure they match up with God's Word. In the end, God must have the final say-so. He will never lead you in a direction that will harm you, or is not in your best interest. He always has your best interest at heart.
Jeremiah 29:11 - "I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to help you, not hurt you. Plans to give you [b]hope[/b] and a [b]future[/b]."
The best way to have hope and a future these days, is to ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, lead your life, and come into your heart and life as your personal Savior.
This is a decision we must never put off for tomorrow. We don't know when the Lord will be back but it could be at any time, so we would do well to prepare today. We don't want to miss the rapture. All it takes is a simple prayer asking God to forgive you of your sins and to lead you each day in Christ. He turns no one away.
Does what I’m doing (or planning to do) or say, conflict with God's will or Scripture? Will it bring glory to God?
Always start here, because God’s Word will never contradict what He’s asking you to do. God is always true to Himself and His Word is always true and relevant. If it’s clearly spelled out in Scripture, then we clearly know His will.
Does what I am doing conflict with the Holy Spirit within me?
God sent the Holy Spirit as a Helper. He will guide us with an inner peace, or a holy unrest. If Christ is in you, He will not leave you to make a decision completely alone. Often God provides a peace or a lack thereof, when He is trying to confirm His will. That is, the Holy Spirit will tell our conscience whether he approves or not. We never want to grieve the Holy Spirit.
Whatever you are pondering, does this decision still leave you feeling confused? Satan is the author of confusion, not God. Go back to what God would do, and read His Word for the answer. Ask for wisdom and clearer understanding. Further, God's voice won't give you a negative message. He always wants, and does things, for our good.
Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
Jesus said, “My sheep know my voice.” (John 10:27)
God sometimes uses people to confirm His voice.
Even in circumstances, in my experience, God often sends people into our path to confirm His will for our life. People who follow God with their life, can help us to hear from God.
Recognize that God has a plan.
Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Rick Warren has sold millions of books telling us that we should live our life with a purpose. God’s purpose. That matches up with what God says in His Word, in Jeremiah 29:11.
Sometimes our circumstances may look gloomy, but we haven’t heard the truth of our circumstances, until we have heard from God. God will speak to you, during your darkest days — when He has your closest attention.
Fear is a great tool of the enemy. The devil can use circumstances to lead us [u]away[/u] from God. This is where the Scripture and other people you trust, can help you with discernment. God's Word says there is no fear in perfect love, and what more perfect love could we have, than the love of Jesus?
Hearing from God is critical for the children of God to know God’s will for our life. Don't get impatient. When you pray, wait for the answer. It will come in God's timing, not yours. He knows exactly what you need, and when, so just please trust him. He always answers. Be willing to accept his answer. Sometimes the answer is "no", in order to protect us. We don't want to get ahead of God and try to manipulate circumstances on our own, because then, we will be out of His will, and mess up His plan for good in our lives.
Our mission is to learn how to hear His voice. We must listen intently and carefully for His voice, and drown out the crowd of noises in the world in which we live, listening only to His. With one exception. Thankfully, God has not given up on us, but is still speaking to His people today. That means from other fellow Christians, as well. However, weigh their words carefully, as well. Make sure they match up with God's Word. In the end, God must have the final say-so. He will never lead you in a direction that will harm you, or is not in your best interest. He always has your best interest at heart.
Jeremiah 29:11 - "I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to help you, not hurt you. Plans to give you [b]hope[/b] and a [b]future[/b]."
The best way to have hope and a future these days, is to ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, lead your life, and come into your heart and life as your personal Savior.
This is a decision we must never put off for tomorrow. We don't know when the Lord will be back but it could be at any time, so we would do well to prepare today. We don't want to miss the rapture. All it takes is a simple prayer asking God to forgive you of your sins and to lead you each day in Christ. He turns no one away.
