It's incredibly important to know if the idea or message you hear - is from God.
Test it first to see if it really is from God. It could be the difference of life or death.
7 ways to test whether it's a message from God or not.
1. Does it agree with the bible?
God doesn't change His mind or ask you to violate a principle that he's already given. Does this line up with what God has already said? Gods will not contradict His word. Truth never changes. (examples: pay your taxes)
2. Does this make me more like Christ?
God's purpose in our life is to make us like Jesus. God wants us to develop Jesus' character. Jesus is the standard. What would Jesus do is a good question. If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition, those are of the devil.
3. Does my Church family confirm it?
Does other mature believers believe it's a good idea. You need support with others. If mature believers question it, you should too. Eph 3:10. The wisdom of the righteous can save you.
4. Is it consistent with how God has shaped me?
Before I was born, God knew what He wanted me to do with my life. He shaped me to perform that specific task. Ephs 2:10. We are God's workmanship, created in Christs. Created in us to do good works which God prepared, in advance, for us to do. He shaped us. God's masterpiece, God's poem, God's handicraft. Shape reveals your purpose. Use your talent for the glory of God.
5. Is it convicting rather than condemning?
Romans 8:1. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. God never attacks my value. He may attack my sin, but not my value.
God doesn't give you a dark cloud of guilt. He says "this is what needs to change and let's change it". We mistake our low self esteem with God's voice. As soon as you repent, everything is okay - that's conviction. Condemning comes from the devil.
6. Do I sense God's peace about it?
Pressure, overwhelmed or confused - money, ministry, kids - this is you being caught up in yourself about it. God is not the author of confusion. If I'm feeling confused, it's some other voice speaking into me. Pressure is legitimate if God keeps asking me to do something, and I don't. Satan wants to drive us compulsively. Phil 4:7, Don't worry and pray about everything. Tell God what you want and thank you - then you can experience peace. When God speaks it doesn't create anxiety and worry.
If God gives you a word for someone else - 3 guidelines
1. Be patient and pray - don't be in a hurry.
2. God will use me to confirm what He has already said to them.
3. God usually uses you without you being conscious of it. You don't even know He spoke through you.
Not from God if....
1. It's not an idea from God if it's motivated by bitterness or envy. Satanic idea.
2. If it's based on envy, buy something so people would envy me, so people will jealous of me. Satanic idea.
3. If it's motivated by selfish ambition - does not come from God. He does not give you self serving ideas. I didn't put you on earth to bless your selfish ambition. If it hurts everyone else but helps me. That idea did not come from God.
God's voice is peace loving and Pure - God's ideas are pure and peace loving, impartial and sincere. Promotes reconciliation not war or separation. Not going to give us an idea to create conflict in our family. He won't give us an idea that will divide people. Bridge builder or Wall builder. All gossip is satanic. Real ideas from God are submissive, humble willing to have your idea checked by someone else.
God's voice is full of mercy. True wisdom that comes from God is full of mercy. God has been gracious to me, I must be give everyone else graciousness. Critical nature.It takes maturity and wisdom to find the beauty in everyone. What takes intelligence is finding the beauty.
Guys if you have an idea and you don't want to tell you wife about the idea...it didn't come from God. Girls, if you don't want to check it out with your husband, not an idea from God. You are willing to have it tested. Ask around. Ask people what they think about the idea.
If you have heard God in the past and can't now? You have allowed sin to block the passage. It may be a relationship you need to let go of, it may be a habit you need to let go of.
What if you have never heard from Him. You need to begin a relationship with Jesus. You can have religion and not a relationship.
If you belong to God, you will hear from Him.
If you want to belong to God, pray this:
Dear God I want to know you and I want to hear your voice and I want to know what you want me to do with my life. Jesus I don't understand at all, but I thank you that you love me and made me and that you shaped me for a purpose that you forgive me and take away my condemnation. Show me the things in my life that are keeping me from hearing you. I want to confess them and get rid of them and I want to follow you and trust you from this day forward. I ask you to accept me into your family so I can hear you voice and feel your presence. Amen.
*notes from Pastor Rick Warren "Hearing the Voice of God, Recognizing God's Voice" - Daily Hope with Rick Warren Podcast.
