If you are anything like me you have often found yourself asking God to speak to me. Whether it was a job change, a move across the country, or a major purchase, I desperately wanted to make the right decision. I knew that aligning with God's will would lead to good outcomes, and conversely, straying from it could mean disaster. And some of those decisions were truly pivotal.
In our noisy world, God's voice can often be drowned out by the noise of other opinions, desires, and even outright deceptions. But God’s voice is distinct, and we need to be aware to discern it from the many voices vying for our attention.
God's Voice Versus Satan's
Discerning God's voice from Satan's is often clearer because their natures are fundamentally opposed. God is loving, true, and freeing. Satan, on the other hand, is a liar, murderer, and condemning. When you hear a voice, examine the nature of its message. Does it reflect God's character, even if it's a gentle whisper? Most importantly, does it align with the Word of God? If a message contradicts Scripture, dismiss it immediately.
God's Voice Versus Your Own
Distinguishing God's voice from our own is often more challenging. The Bible tells us that the "heart is deceitful above all things" (Jeremiah 17:9), making it harder to separate our desires and biases from divine guidance.
Jeremiah 17:9 NLT The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?
Some people might say, "you'll just know it if it's God speaking to you." But how do you really know? Both God's and Satan's voices can seem to originate within our own minds, and without clear discernment, we risk being led astray.
So, how can we grow in our ability to discern God's voice? By consistently studying the Bible, engaging in prayer, and inviting the Holy Spirit to teach us. To help, here are 10 things God will never say to you:
1. God's voice will never contradict the Bible. If a voice encourages you to twist Scripture to fit your situation, it's not God.
2. God's voice will never deny Jesus Christ or His divinity. Any voice suggesting other paths to God is not from Him.
3. God's voice will never demean or demoralize you. While God convicts, rebukes, and chastises us for our growth, He will never put you down or intentionally hurt you. He loves you as a perfect Father.
4. God's voice will never instruct you to sin.
Romans 6:1-4 NLT [1] Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? [2] Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? [3] Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? [4] For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
If a voice encourages sinful behavior, it's not from God.
5. God's voice will never cause division between your brothers and sisters because God detests those who sow discord. He desires unity and peace within His family.
Proverbs 6:16-19 NLT [16] There are six things the Lord hates— no, seven things he detests: [17] haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, [18] a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, [19] a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.
6. God's voice will never say someone can't be saved. God wants everyone to come to repentance. God's will is for all to be saved, regardless of their background.
2 Peter 3:9 NLT The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
7. God's voice will never tell you to doubt His will, His Word, or His way. Doubt is a tactic of the enemy, designed to make us question God's instructions. God encourages trust, not doubt.
8. God's voice will never tell you to fear demons. Matthew 10:28 reminds us to fear God alone. Christians walking in God's will have no reason to fear demons.
Matthew 10:28-31 NLT [28] “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. [29] What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. [30] And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. [31] So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
God’s voice says resist and not fear.
James 4:7 NLT [7] So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
9. God's voice will never tell you to disobey godly authority.
Romans 13:1-5 NLT [1] Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. [2] So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. [3] For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. [4] The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. [5] So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
Submit to authority unless they require something illegal, immoral, or sinful.
10. God's voice will never tell you that He doesn't love you.
1 John 4:16 NLT We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
God is actively calling us into a deeper relationship with Him. We have an open invitation to commune with Him daily. By continually studying the Bible and praying, you will grow in your ability to recognize His distinct voice and align your life with His perfect will.
In our noisy world, God's voice can often be drowned out by the noise of other opinions, desires, and even outright deceptions. But God’s voice is distinct, and we need to be aware to discern it from the many voices vying for our attention.
God's Voice Versus Satan's
Discerning God's voice from Satan's is often clearer because their natures are fundamentally opposed. God is loving, true, and freeing. Satan, on the other hand, is a liar, murderer, and condemning. When you hear a voice, examine the nature of its message. Does it reflect God's character, even if it's a gentle whisper? Most importantly, does it align with the Word of God? If a message contradicts Scripture, dismiss it immediately.
God's Voice Versus Your Own
Distinguishing God's voice from our own is often more challenging. The Bible tells us that the "heart is deceitful above all things" (Jeremiah 17:9), making it harder to separate our desires and biases from divine guidance.
Jeremiah 17:9 NLT The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?
Some people might say, "you'll just know it if it's God speaking to you." But how do you really know? Both God's and Satan's voices can seem to originate within our own minds, and without clear discernment, we risk being led astray.
So, how can we grow in our ability to discern God's voice? By consistently studying the Bible, engaging in prayer, and inviting the Holy Spirit to teach us. To help, here are 10 things God will never say to you:
1. God's voice will never contradict the Bible. If a voice encourages you to twist Scripture to fit your situation, it's not God.
2. God's voice will never deny Jesus Christ or His divinity. Any voice suggesting other paths to God is not from Him.
3. God's voice will never demean or demoralize you. While God convicts, rebukes, and chastises us for our growth, He will never put you down or intentionally hurt you. He loves you as a perfect Father.
4. God's voice will never instruct you to sin.
Romans 6:1-4 NLT [1] Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? [2] Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? [3] Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? [4] For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
If a voice encourages sinful behavior, it's not from God.
5. God's voice will never cause division between your brothers and sisters because God detests those who sow discord. He desires unity and peace within His family.
Proverbs 6:16-19 NLT [16] There are six things the Lord hates— no, seven things he detests: [17] haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, [18] a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, [19] a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.
6. God's voice will never say someone can't be saved. God wants everyone to come to repentance. God's will is for all to be saved, regardless of their background.
2 Peter 3:9 NLT The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
7. God's voice will never tell you to doubt His will, His Word, or His way. Doubt is a tactic of the enemy, designed to make us question God's instructions. God encourages trust, not doubt.
8. God's voice will never tell you to fear demons. Matthew 10:28 reminds us to fear God alone. Christians walking in God's will have no reason to fear demons.
Matthew 10:28-31 NLT [28] “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. [29] What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. [30] And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. [31] So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
God’s voice says resist and not fear.
James 4:7 NLT [7] So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
9. God's voice will never tell you to disobey godly authority.
Romans 13:1-5 NLT [1] Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. [2] So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. [3] For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. [4] The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. [5] So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
Submit to authority unless they require something illegal, immoral, or sinful.
10. God's voice will never tell you that He doesn't love you.
1 John 4:16 NLT We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
God is actively calling us into a deeper relationship with Him. We have an open invitation to commune with Him daily. By continually studying the Bible and praying, you will grow in your ability to recognize His distinct voice and align your life with His perfect will.
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