As often happens, a section in my daily Bible reading stuck out. I was reading in 1 Kings 22, The king of Israel calls for the prophet of God. But he didn't really want to because he said that he didn't like that the prophet always spoke evil against him. But he should have trusted that voice because it was the one which spoke truth.
How do we know the voices we can trust? There are many screaming for our attention.
"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4
The king of Israel in the story above did this very thing. He gathered around him his own prophets to speak what he wanted to hear. The only problem with that is that it wasn't the truth. What they said didn't come to fruition.
Now I don't have to tell you that we are in a time like what is described in the verses from 2 Timothy above. There are even so-called ministers who will only speak that which is palpable for their congregations. What a disservice they are doing, leading people in the wrong way.
How do we know the voices we can trust? Let me offer a few points which I use to discern godly voices from those who spout untruth.
1. Make sure the voice matches what is said in the Word of God.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16
God will not go against what He says in the Bible. He never changes and nor does His Word. If a voice is speaking contrary to God's Word, that voice can't be trusted.
2. Make sure the voice doesn't contradict the Spirit.
"but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." 1 Corinthians 2:10
We have God's Spirit living within us if we are Christians, helping us to discern the truth and godly wisdom.
3. Make sure to ask for the wisdom to discern trustworthy voices.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5
We must pray and ask God to give us wisdom to distinguish truth and those who speak it.
Precious brothers and sisters in Christ, let us not be naive, trusting voices just because they are louder or seem to be popular. Test the voices you pay attention to. We must strive to only listen to godly voices and also to speak only those things that align with God and His Word.
How do you tests the voices you hear?
3 comments:
Correction is easier to accept when we're in the mood for it. Then again, how many times do we expect a soft comment, only to get walloped? Still, truth is better than a lie. And yet all of the noise and differing opinions play in the background.
This is why we read and recite the scriptures, rather than reconstruct their meaning. If we listen to it with childlike faith, asking + seeking God's wisdom (over the world's, and instead of just "because the preacher says"), we are more apt to following its commands, trusting His promises, relying on His love.
Paula, because you are reading the Bible with the aide of the Holy Spirit, you are able to speak truth into lies. There is no better method. Remain humble, while reaching for God... and others.
Oh, and thanks.
Thanks so much for stopping by. The Word of God will never fail us or lead us in the wrong direction.
Yes - the voices we need to hear are not always the loudest ones, either.
Post a Comment