Discerning God’s Voice
The handiwork of God and the evil deeds of the “accuser of the brethren” are oftentimes easily distinguished – but not always … remember satan can deceive us as an angel of light! However, we can usually trace the finger prints of God through the after-affects of His work amongst us … and likewise for the activity of the devil. Here are some indicators that you might find useful in recognizing God’s presence, and the opposite sort of “aroma” left by satan.
[Keep in mind that these are not absolute predictors, just guide posts!]
God satan
Life death
Love fear
Faith doubt
Peace aggression/ warfare/ trouble
Joy depression
Power fate
Harmony strife
Beauty ashes
Rejoicing mourning
Praise heaviness
Sound mind confusion
Encouragement contention
Acceptance rejection
Reconciliation destruction
Healing affliction
Compassion hard-hearted
Wisdom/ Knowledge deaf/ dumb
Discernment blindness
Natural designs homosexuality
Delivered bound
Innocent/ Normal growth cancerous/ abnormal growth
Trust worry
Completion competition
In a teaching given at a mission’s recent Int’l Prayer Summit on the subject of “Listening to God”, the following hand-out was distributed to help people develop a “listening heart” to the voice of God.
God satan
I. The Nature of the Approach (John 10:1ff)
Invited/ wanted uninvited/ un-wanted
Leads/ invites forces/ pushes
Personal/ by name impersonal
II. The Content of the Message
Correction (Heb 12:6-12) condemnation of personal worth
Conviction/ Specific (John 16:8-9) condemnation – general
Merciful (Matt 9:13) unmerciful
Truthful (John 14:6+17/ 17:17) experiential
Inner solution/ character change (II Chron 16:9a) outer solution/ circumstance change
Peace making/ relationship building (Heb 12:14) revenge/ disrupting relationships
Forgiveness (Matt 6:12+14/ 18:21-22) judging/ bitterness
Now (Matt 6:34) worry about the future
Practical (John 2:5) impractical
Ordinary (Mark 4:31-32) sensational
Simple/ Definite (Eph 3:8-9) complicated/ confusing
Hope (Rom 15:13) hopelessness
Peace (Phil 4:7) worry
Faith (Rom 1:17) unbelief
Encouragement/ Comfort (II Cor 1:3-4) discouragement
Understanding others (Prov 13:15) despising others
Wisdom (James 1:5) ignorance/ foolishness
Warren D. Carter
Discerning God
22.10.98