Discerning If You Heard From God: Test Three

The third and final way to test if you’re hearing God is the one I’ve been teasing as the most important. Did what you hear contradict scripture?

This is unbelievably crucial. 

God is NOT a hypocrite. 

God does NOT contradict Himself. 

Study the Word of God and make absolutely sure that what you think you’re hearing from God goes along with the Bible. 

Sadly an example I’ve heard a few times is when a person is in sin they say, “I feel like God told me He wants me happy”.

That is completely unbiblical and God would never do that.

God is not calling you to sin or live against His Word. He doesn’t have a new message that will change scripture. 

Matthew 24:35 (ESV), “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” 

God’s Word is eternal and He is calling you to righteousness, repentance and submission to His Word. 

If God speaks to someone it will coincide with His Word not go against. 

If you’re unsure if what you hear is Biblical than you need to read your Bible. 

Remember John 1:1 (ESV), “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” 

The Word of God is the most important way to test if you’re hearing from God. 

That’s the bottom line. 

Study His Word and you will hear from God every day no matter what. 

Have a Blessed Week, 
Chris 

Discerning If You Heard From God: Test Two

Hello everyone, 

Last week we covered one way to test if you’re hearing from God, please feel free to go check that out. 

A second way to test if you’re hearing God is, are you only hearing things that you want to hear? Does everything you hear about yourself, what you want, what is expected of you exactly what you want to hear? Is what you hear in your mind or through others who claim they’re speaking from God just tickling your hears? Are you being drawn away from church or living a Christian life? Is everything you hear about making your life easier? 

For example, if you keep hearing, how wonderful you are and that we are all sinners so don’t feel guilty. Just be you. Things like it’s okay it was only a white lie or a little sin.

That certainly isn’t God.

I am of course not saying God won’t say anything nice to you or offer encouragement or tell you that He loves you but what I am saying if everything you hear is just telling you what you want to hear then that is not from God. Because that is not life as a true Christian. 

Now are you hearing God tell you what you need to change? Is God exposing to your sins and leading you on the path to sanctification? Is God challenging you to serve Him better? To go out and live for Him? Are people telling you things that you need to hear, not just want? Are people drawing you into service to God? Is what you hear causing you to be a better follower of Christ? 

If you can say yes.

That sounds like  messages from the Lord to me. 

Why?

Because that is what we are called to do, live a self-sacrificial life. Constantly walking down the narrow path, serving Christ, suffering and make changes along the way to be the way God wants us to be. Praising Him along the way when blessings come and praising Him when trials come. 

Next week I am going to take a week off but after that it will be my final entry of the series. The most important test. 

Have a Blessed Couple of Weeks, 
Chris 

Discerning If You Heard From God: Test One

The first way I will discuss to test if what you heard is from God is a relatively easy one. Did what you hear come true? 

An example of this, did you think you heard God tell you that you were going to get a certain job you applied for and in the end you did not get the job? Well then what you heard, no matter the source, was not true. Don’t make excuses or come up with reasons as to why it did not come to pass. Simply realize that was not God but either your own mind or someone else’s wishful thinking. 

Let’s not speculate, just trust in the Lord and recognize that was not Him. Don’t feel down about it and don’t condemn someone who misspoke to you. Instead go to the Word of God. Because even if you didn’t hear a word from the Lord, you have the Word of God at your fingertips. Praise God. 

Now on the other side If you hear a message from the Lord in whatever way that was clear and specific and it does come to pass, then praise God it appears the Lord spoke to you. 

Give all the glory to God and keep seeking after Him and studying His Word. 

I know this first entry was brief but I hope it helped. 

See you all next week. 

Be Blessed, 
Chris 

Scripture Reading Plan
Monday – Jeremiah 2:4-13

Tuesday – Psalm 112

Wednesday – Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Thursday – Luke 14:1, 7-14

https://www.heritageloves.com/sermon-podcasts

Discerning If You Heard From God: Introduction

A common question I see asked is, “How do I know if what I heard is from God?” Today I am going to begin discussing answers to this question.

Originally I thought this was going to be just this week’s entry but I’ve come to realize this is a loaded topic so I am going to make this my next series. 

I want to start this off by saying, this entry will not be set out to prove any type of stance on the Gifts of the Spirit. I do not label myself anything in that department, this is not from a Pentecostal’s perspective or cessationist perspective. I am not going to even lay out my beliefs. All I am doing here is addressing those who are wondering about ways to test what they have heard to see if it is from God. I am going to give three different ways, they’re many more I am sure but I will be giving just the three. The third is the most important. 

Now when it comes to “hearing God” there is a lot of different ways people think they’re hearing from God. It can be on their own through their mind in prayer, through a dream, plenty of other ways I’m sure as well. 

And of course through the Bible! Yes, the Word of God. Read that first and foremost. That is your best bet if you want to hear from God. Many times reading scripture has given me the answer I needed. 

Sometimes you get messages from other people, whether it be a subtle confirmation on something you have been praying about, a more bold proclamation from someone claiming they have a message from the Lord (this of course you certainly want to test). I really could go on and on. 

Whether subtle or bold, we should, “test all things” like scripture says but do so with a gracious and loving heart. Not out to debunk a message but also not out confirm something just because you want it to be from God. 

Also look out for vagueness, if you hear in your mind or from someone else something like, “Good things are coming your way” or even, “Troubles are coming”. That is true no matter what, that is far too vague to know if it is from God. 

The following three weeks (with a break for Labor Day) I will be discussing the three before mentioned ways to test if what you’re hearing is from God with examples to help. 

I hope this helps those who need it. 

Have a Blessed Week, 
Chris