By Illustrated Theology
The real question is: How can you tell the difference between God’s voice and your own inner voice? Is there a trustworthy, biblical, and mature way to discern that? The answer is, yes, there is. And it doesn’t involve mystical tricks or feeling peace in your heart at all costs. In this video you’re going to learn four practical and scripture-based tests to discern when God is truly speaking and when it’s just anxiety dressed up as revelation.
merlin: Again, as prior, if technology works, you may either read the script, or scroll down for the YouTube version at the bottom. Your choice. As always, your comments are appreciated, and everything posted, is first & foremost, to myself, so don’t cob an attitude as time is short and THE night is coming!
Test ONE, confirm it with the Bible.
The psalmist says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” in this passage, the author of Psalm 100:19 acknowledges that just like a lamp-lights up someone’s path in the darkness, scripture lights up our decisions and directs our daily walk. We must always remember that the Bible is the ultimate filter for discerning the voice of God. If an idea, plan, or dream, doesn’t pass the test of Scripture, it must be discarded without hesitation. God is not inconsistent, nor does He contradict what He has already clearly revealed in His word. Many Christians get confused mistaking emotion or personal desire for God’s voice.
The first Test is so simple. If it goes against the Bible, it’s not from God. He will never encourage attitudes that violate his principles.
1.) He is not going to whisper to you to take revenge on someone because “vengeance is mine; I will repay saith the Lord.”
2.) He’s not going to authorize you to isolate yourself from the fellowship of the church, since we’re “not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.
3.) He is also not going to plant the idea in your heart that you are spiritually superior, because “let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves.” In short, if the idea that came to you confirms what the Bible already teaches, if it echoes the principles of Christ, if it reflects the character of Jesus, love, truth, humility, justice, then you can seriously consider that it may be God’s voice indeed.
TEST TWO, don’t trust your own heart.
Wise Solomon gave a serious warning. There is a way which seems right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death. In this verse, the King draws attention to the weakness of human discernment. He knew, maybe from experience, that trusting only in appearances or emotions, can lead to disastrous choices. In other words, what looks good to us, isn’t always God’s will. How many times have we heard someone say, “But I felt peace in my heart, so it must be from God.” The problem with that idea, is that the Bible, also states “the heart Is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it? The heart can manufacture a false peace, just to legitimize what we already wanted. Desires, emotional needs, and even fears, can disguise bad choices under a spiritual façade.
That’s why we can’t put our trust solely in feeling peace in the heart, but rather in what is written in the Word. And here comes another fundamental biblical principle. When God’s will is revealed, He changes our heart. The Apostle Paul is living proof of that. He used to boast about being a Pharisee and a persecutor of the Church. But on the road to Damascus, Christ radically changed his heart. That’s why he later declared, “But what things were gained to me, those I counted lost for Christ.” That’s how God works. He aligns the human heart with his good, perfect, and acceptable will. And I know, I might have just made this test seem more complex, because on the one hand, we’re not supposed to trust our hearts, but on the other hand, we see in the Bible that when a thought comes from God, He transforms our will and makes us feel peace in our heart as well.
But here’s the key distinction; the peace that comes from God, never stands alone; it always aligns with what’s already revealed in Scripture. Think about this example for a young person marrying someone who doesn’t share the same faith. It might seem romantic, the emotions might even create some false peace in the heart, but if Scripture is clear in saying be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, then it’s not God leading that decision, because God’s Will is never going to contradict God’s word. Just like we saw in Test One, now let’s be clear this doesn’t mean that God’s will is going to lead that young person into an unhappy life or into marrying someone they’re not attracted to. On the contrary, the person God has for them will not be someone they can’t admire or feel drawn to; it’ll be someone who brings joy and confirms in the heart what the Bible already guarantees. God’s will is always good. In other words, that peace in the heart won’t just be a feeling, but rather, the true peace that’s in full harmony with the Word of God.
TEST Three: Wait for God’s timing.
“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” This verse from Habakkuk 2:3 is born in the midst of a crisis. The prophet was distressed at seeing wickedness growing in Judah and even more troubled when God revealed he would use the Babylonians, a violent and cruel people to discipline Israel. His mind was filled with questions. How can a just God allow this? It’s in this context that God responds assuring him that nothing is out of His control, even if it seems delayed. God’s justice and judgment arrive at the right time. The message is clear. God’s clock never fails. He is never late. He always acts at the exact moment. The anguish that the prophet Habakkuk felt upon receiving this promise is the same anguish we often feel today because our lives are so limited. We tend to rush things but when we look at various biblical examples, we see that God’s way of acting is completely different from ours. Joseph was enslaved and imprisoned for years in Egypt. Abraham reached old age without children and Moses was called only at 80 years old. All of these examples show that unlike us, God is never in a hurry. He always acts in His time, the right time, and He still works that way today.
Keep this in mind. Impulsiveness is rarely a sign of divine direction. God doesn’t operate at the pace of human anxiety but in the perfect rhythm of His purpose. That’s why when a voice pushes you to make a decision hastily, in fear or desperation, it’s time to be suspicious. God’s voice may challenge & confront you, it may take you out of your comfort zone, but it doesn’t rush you. It doesn’t shove you into rush decisions.
On the contrary, it matures within you, confirms itself over time, withstands fleeting emotions, and doesn’t fade when the excitement wears off. That’s why many people declare decisions one day; moving to a new city, changing careers, even getting married, and regret it the next day. Why? Because they mistook inner noise for the voice of the Spirit. Emotions erupt and then dissipate, but the word of God remains, grows, and strengthens within you.
So, here’s the test. If the voice you think you heard, remains firm after weeks or months, if it survives mood swings, and trends of the moment, there’s a strong chance it’s from God because if it’s from Him, it doesn’t fade, it remains, it matures, and in the right time, it is confirmed. In short God’s voice is not a spark, it’s a flame that endures.
Test 4 seek confirmation from other believers
Proverbs 11:14 states, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Solomon presents here a practical life principle in that since we face complex decisions that will vastly change the course of a person’s story-line or bottom line, it is imperative we gather counsel from people who fear God, reflecting God’s own will, by calling us to live in His community of brotherhood, and not in isolation. This means that if you believe God told you something like changing jobs, moving to another city, or starting a business, but you have no spiritually mature Christians, no spiritual leaders, no prayerful believers around you, who are sensing the same direction or testify something similar, be careful. It might just be your inner voice disguised as revelation.
The true voice of God can be recognized by other sheep, not because everyone will immediately agree with you, but because what the Lord speaks to you will echo in the hearts of others who also have the Holy Spirit. God loves the body of Christ and uses advice from leaders, brothers and sisters in the faith, sermons, even circumstances to confirm what He’s already begun speaking in secret. In other words, if it’s from God, it doesn’t stay locked in your thoughts. He himself opens doors, confirms it through mature people, and provides clear signs that you’re not walking alone.
So, how do you tell the difference between God’s voice and your own inner voice at the end of the day? Hearing God’s voice isn’t about goosebumps, emotion, or spiritual catchphrases.
- It’s about testing test it with the Bible because God will never contradict Himself.
- Test it with your heart because it’s easily deceived and manufacturers false peace.
- Test it with time because what comes from God matures. It doesn’t fade.
- Test it within your community faith because the voice of the Lord also echoes through His people.
BOTTOM LINE:
If it passes these four filters you can be sure, it’s not just internal noise; it’s divine direction. God’s voice doesn’t confuse, rush, or manipulate. It guides, transforms, and confirms.
NEXT UP:
5 Easy Steps to Creating Your Art WITH God…. My definition of what constitutes art is boat loads wider than merely paintings, sculptures, music, photography, composition, etc. I see parenting, gardening, animal husbandry, crop farming, welding, carpentry, computer programing, pastors, nursing, physical therapy, teaching…. ALL as being outlets for our divine creativity to be on display, especially as we intersect with our brother & sisters socially, mentally, physically, spiritually in such areas as our dreams, aspirations, quirks, perceptions, foundational truths, emotions, preferences, etc., while we are on the journey of life. God’s artistry has no confines, no boundaries, nor do we in our daily expression of being His ambassadors for His Light & Love. His opportunities abound anew every morning. Praise His Name! Enter His Courts & your earthly studios with praise & thanksgiving!
Did someone say they were bored? Impossible, if you’ve encountered our risen Lord!!