IS IT GOD'S VOICE OR JUST MY THOUGHTS?

A guy named Kevin was working on his washing machine. He disconnected the hose and turned the water off at the valve. He was getting ready to go to the store to pick up parts, but before he left home, he thought I should probably put a cap on that faucet in case the valve breaks. This thought came to him several times, but he kept blowing it off thinking he was being overly cautious.

He hurriedly went on to the store, but while he was gone his kids called in a panic stating there was water all over the house. The thought to put a cap on the faucet was the Lord compelling Kevin to prevent this tragedy. If Kevin had known his thoughts was the Holy Spirit speaking to him, he would’ve capped the faucet, and graciously thanked God for preventing this trouble from occurring.

He thought God’s voice was his own anxious thoughts, so he kept ignoring it. Kevin didn't need a five point sermon about three ways to do to hear God's voice. Kevin didn’t need a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12), Kevin needed God’s voice to be identifiable, and recognizable, and distinguishable from other voices in his head; something that would've stopped him dead in his tracks before he left the house.

We must be able to distinguish what are our own thoughts, or the devil dropping a thought, or God dropping thoughts in our heads. Who are all these voices? And how do I determine which is which? With the power of Holy Spirit made available to every true believer in Christ, it’s tremendously beneficial when we are able to hear Him clearly and be guided by Him everyday of our lives. Question, how do you distinguish the voice of Holy Spirit from other voices? Answer... discernment.

Discernment: an act of separating one thing from another; recognizing, perceiving, or clearly differentiating the difference between one thing or another.

Infants’ systems cannot digest solid foods, so they’re fed milk until they're old enough to be weaned. As babes in Christ, we are fed spiritual milk because we are not able to receive solid food, being unskilled in the word of righteousness. But as we mature in Christ and put into practice what we've learned, our capacity to discern God’s voice will grow also.

Hebrews 5:13-14 (NKJV) For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

While I'm not Kevin trying to fix a washing machine, I am Dee trying to fix my life. I need to be able to discern God's voice to gain clarity when He is speaking to me.

Psalm 25:4-5 (NKJV) Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.

To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove 🕊