Are you confident in knowing when God is speaking to you? This message is Part 3 of our series on Hearing the Voice of God, focusing on the practical steps and biblical principles that help us discern His voice clearly in both big decisions and small daily leadings.
The Context
This teaching draws foundational truth from the promises Jesus made to His disciples regarding the Holy Spirit in the book of John, specifically John 14:25-27 and John 10:27. The message also looks at how early believers in the book of Acts were led by the Holy Spirit and explores practical scriptures from 1 Corinthians, Jude, and 1 Peter to help believers tune in to spiritual direction.
The Core Message
The foundation for hearing the voice of God is being intimately familiar with the Word of God, as the Holy Spirit is sent to bring scriptures and all that Jesus said to our remembrance. While God may not give daily audible instructions, the Holy Spirit teaches us all things and provides direction for our lives. The primary indicator that you are hearing the voice of the Lord is the internal "witness of peace," which transcends natural understanding and worldly logic. When direction is unclear, a good principle is to proceed if the action is positive and does not violate scripture, prioritizing obedience and trusting the Lord's leading.
We are encouraged to train ourselves to hear the voice of the Lord through a lifestyle of worship, fasting to silence the flesh, and praying in the Holy Spirit, which builds up our inner spirit. For major decisions, seeking additional confirmation and clarity from the Lord is wise. It is essential to understand that we have the mind of Christ and can spiritually discern God's truths, which are often considered foolishness by the world.
The Application
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Prioritize the Word: Meditate on scripture daily so the Holy Spirit has truth to bring to your remembrance.
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Follow Peace: Use the witness of peace as the primary internal check for God's direction, especially when thoughts don't align with your natural mind.
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Silence the Noise: Engage in worship and fasting to focus your spirit on God and quiet the distractions of the flesh.
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Cast Your Anxiety: Worry and anxiety are hindrances; cast all your anxieties onto the Lord in prayer with thanksgiving, trusting His care.
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Choose Your Focus: Actively choose to think on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable to guard your heart and mind.
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Practice Obedience: Be willing to obey what you believe is the Lord's instruction, even in small, seemingly insignificant matters, to strengthen your faith and discernment.
Conclusion
God's divine power has granted us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him; tune in today to learn how to stand firm on His promises and follow the direction of the Holy Spirit with confidence.
Here are some of the concepts we'll be touching on in today's message:
Hearing God's Voice, Holy Spirit, Peace, Discernment, Obedience, Fasting, Worship, The Word of God, Scripture Remembrance, Prayer in the Spirit, Inner Voice, The Mind of Christ, Spiritual Truths, Anxiety, Worry, Casting Cares, Confirmation, Divine Nature, Goodness of God, Expectancy
Scripture References:
John 10:27; John 14:25-27; Acts 13:1-3; Jude 20; 1 Corinthians 14:13-19; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; Deuteronomy 18:22; Proverbs 16:9; 1 Peter 5:7; Luke 10:38-42; Philippians 4:4-9; Matthew 6:25-34; Isaiah 26:3-4; 2 Peter 1:2-8; John 17:3; Matthew 7:24-27
