Accelerating Your Spiritual Growth

Recognizing God’s Voice
September 10, 2023

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Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

1 John 4:1 - Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Matthew 16:15-23 - “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven…²¹ From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. ²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” ²³ Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

*John 7:17 *- If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.

FIVE WAYS TO TEST AN IMPRESSION

1. DOES IT AGREE WITH THE BIBLE

Luke 21:33 - Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Proverbs 12:19 - Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

Galatians 1:8 - But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!

2. DOES IT MAKE ME MORE LIKE CHRIST

Philippians 2:5 - Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: …

2 Corinthians 10:5 - We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

James 3:14-17 - But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil…¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

3. DOES MY CHURCH FAMILY CONFIRM IT?

Ephesians 3:10-11 - His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Proverbs 11:9, 14 - With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape. …¹⁴ For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.

4. IS IT CONSISTENT WITH HOW GOD HAS SHAPED ME?

Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Romans 12:6 - We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

5. IS IT CONVICTING RATHER THAN CONDEMNING

*Romans 8:1 *- Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ

Revelation 3:19 - “Those whom I dearly and tenderly love, I tell their faults and convict and discipline. So be earnest and repent (changing your mind and attitude).” (Amp)

CONVICTION (from God)
Exposes what’s wrong
“This needs to change”

VS.

CONDEMNATION (from Satan)
Attacks your value
“You’re worthless”

Revelation 12:10 - “Satan is the accuser of believers.”