How to Know if it's God's Voice

 

(my notes from a sermon by Rick Warren)
 

1. Does it agree with the Bible?

God's will is always the same as God's word.

"If it's new, it isn't true."
 

2. Will this thought make me more like Christ? Have more of the fruit of the Spirit?

God's main purpose is to make you more like Christ

God is more interested in your character than your comfort. (amen!)
 

3. Would this idea hurt anyone else? (then it's not from God)
 

4. Get godly council about the thought or idea

Do other mature Christians confirm that this is from God?

If mature believers question it, you should too
 

5. Is it consistent with how God shaped me or made me?

Our shape consists of our spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences

Our shape determines our purpose.

God's leading will not lead you to do something that he hasn't gifted you already to do.
 

6. Does it concern me and my life?

Is this for someone else or for me?

Be careful of saying to someone else "God told me to tell you...."

God can tell that other person directly

 

If God does give you a word about or for someone else.....

1.Be patient and pray- God might tell them directly

2. God can use you to confirm what he already said to them

3. Most of the time this is done anonymously, where you don't even realize you are speaking for God to someone else
 

7. Is this thought convicting or condemning?

If it's condemning it's from Satan and not God.

Conviction from God exposes what's wrong and says "this needs to change." But condemnation from Satan attacks your value and says to you "you're worthless." That isn't God. 
 

8. Do I sense God's peace about this thing?

God will never confuse us. If it's God we will have peace about it. 
 

Amen! Hope that benefitted some of you. :)