voice

God said what?

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment
Bible Study Tools

The first person to misquote God was none other than the satan, represented by the serpent in the garden. And unfortunately, many people proclaiming allegiance to God have been misquoting Him since.

Jesus warned several times of the false teachers of Israel who twisted God’s words for their benefit and disregarded the heart and love behind God’s law. Jeremiah the prophet had to deal with five false prophets during his day. They declared over snd over that Yahweh had spoken to them but it was all based on their own fears and insecurities, and not truly what God was saying.

Take care never to impute the vain imaginings of your fancy to Him. I have seen the Spirit of God shamefully dishonored by persons – I hope they were insane – who have said that they have had this and that revealed to them.

Charles Spurgeon

The sad reality is that people often use the phrase “God told me” in order to vindicate themselves, elevate their message, or manipulate others. But what they could actually be doing is dishonoring scripture and taking the Lord’s name in vain.

It can be extremely difficult to discern between our emotions and what God is leading us to do. Our flesh, heart and mind can also speak to us, leading us into believing one thing, when it really may not be the case. We have to remember that no matter how spiritual we are, because we’re humans, we are fallible and prone to making mistakes. If we aren’t taking those “feelings” to scripture then we are making a grave mistake. If it doesn’t line up with what God said there, then He isn’t saying it to you now.

I believe God still moves and still leads and guides His followers. Jesus said His sheep know His voice and they follow Him. So He must speak right? We still believe that prayer can be a two way conversation right? He can still be found in that still small voice can’t He? As believers, we have God’s Spirit in us. A solid connection that certainly teaches and instructs us. We can know what is right and feel the right way to go or the right things to say. But all of it must be in line with the Word God has already spoken.

If you believe God is leading you to do, or say, or change something in your life, stay steadfast in prayer, confirm it through scripture, and seek out good council. This life isn’t meant to be done alone and we have such a great source of God’s wisdom at our fingertips. Our thoughts and emotions can’t be our guides. It’s up to us to submit in humility to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God for in them is life.

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

Are we listening?

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

John 10:27 NIV

I don’t know about you, but I have to be very intentional when it comes to listening. I am not talking about hearing. Listening is much different. It involves a deeper comprehension of what is being said. Listening has an element of learning to it. Simple acknowledgment that something was said does not correlate with taking it to heart. It’s vital to any relationship that both parties develop their skills in the art of listening. That is a key component to any communication. Therefore, it can be said that those of us in relationship with Jesus must also develop our ability to listen to Him, not to merely hear Him.

How often have you read the Bible and the next day or the next week, you couldn’t recall the specifics of what you had read nor the application to your life? I’ve done it. Many times. It feels like a wasted opportunity. I could have grown and matured spiritually. It could have had a tremendous impact of my perceptions for that day or week or even life, and I’ll never know because I let the lessons vanish from my mind. It’s fair and right to say that every time we read the Bible, Jesus speaks. So, isn’t it also fair and right to say that those of us who value a good healthy relationship with Jesus should also be listening?

Those who listen to their spouse, their parents, their kids, or their friends, have an intimate understanding of who they are and what makes them come alive. They know how to interact at a level that breathes life into the relationship. If we are truly listening to Jesus, then we are following Him. We will do the things that please Him. We will love and pursue Him. We will know the value and purpose He has placed on our lives. But we have to really listen. Meditation is not some odd eastern religious practice. It’s Biblical. God has actually asked it of us. Meditation simply means to think deeply or carefully about something. What better to meditate on then what Jesus is speaking into our lives? But are we listening?

Peace in Christ my brothers and sisters