Lifted from CBN Asias Devotionals: by Dr. Harold J. Sala Whose Voice Is Speaking To You? “The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” Acts 8:29 The superintendent of a mental hospital was taking a visitor through a ward when he entered a room where patients were reading and watching TV. He introduced himself and the guest; whereupon, several people began to give their names. “I’m John Smith,” said one. Another said, “My name is Jose Estrada.” Whereupon a third said with clarity, “I’m Napoleon Bonaparte!” Another interrupted said, “No, you’re not—I am.” Then the first ask, “Who told you that you are Napoleon?” “God did!” Far across the room another voice saying: “I DID NOT!” Those who labor under the illusion that they are God need help, and, at times, some with a distorted sense of reality are confused as to who they really are; but what about the person who wants to add a powerful weight of authority to what he or she wants to do and thus says, “God told me to do this.” Or “God spoke to me and said….” It’s hard to fight against God. As Martin De Haan put it, “Sometimes we talk like this to let others hear our desire to be in step with God. On other occasions we use such phrases as a way of writing God’s signature under our ideas to make it difficult for others to disagree with us. We sense, even subconsciously, that when people talk to us about what God has laid on our heart, they will be less apt to ask questions.” This, of course, creates some confusion in the heart of every sincere believer. Reading the account of the infant church recorded by Luke in the book of Acts makes it clear that God does speak to His own through His Spirit. Both the Old and New Testaments use the phrase, “The Spirit said…” Luke tells us that when Peter was in the house of Simon, the tanner, he had a vision, and while he was thinking about the vision, (and these are the words) “The Spirit said to him, ‘Simon, three men are looking for you’.” Again we find these words: “The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it’” (Acts 8:29). Today, individuals who say, “God told me….” Or “God said…” to back up their argument are powerfully intimidating to those who say, “God never tells me anything, so this brother must, indeed, be close to the Lord.” Yet, and this is where caution is so necessary, the reality is that God has not grown silent. God’s voice is not so faint that it cannot be heard today. God’s arm is not short that He cannot reach you, nor is it weakened so that He cannot lift you when you fall, nor has His hearing grown bad with age so He cannot hear your plea and say, “This is the way; walk ye in it!” The Spirit of God is resident in the hearts of His children, and He does speak to our hearts, prompting us to do His will, at times guiding our feet in ways that lead us from danger. At times those who have read the Word or have prayed much about something do feel they have heard from God. But most of the time, knowing and doing the will of God is not a subjective matter of feeling but a matter of simple obedience to what God has revealed in His Word. Saying, “I think” or “I believe” in relationship to what you feel God wants done often avoids confusion between your will and the will of God. Neither is it intimidating to others. Paul told the Thessalonians they were to “test everything,” holding on to that which is good, rejecting that which is fleshly or evil (1 Thessalonians 5:21, 22). Think about it. How do you know when God has spoken? That’s the theme of our next Guidelines commentary. Resource reading: Acts 16
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 06:05:01 +0000
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