Identifying the voice of God

Matthew 16: 21-23

Matthew 16:21–23 (NLT)

21 From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.

22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”

23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

INTRODUCTION:

People often ask, “When i am praying and seeking an answer from God about his will for my life, how can i know that the voice I am hearing is his?” Or, “how do I know that I am not just hearing my own thoughts?”

These are good, legitimate questions that deserve good answers.

Indeed, we cannot listen well if we cannot discern who is speaking.

In our text, the interchange of words between Jesus and Peter points out for us the importance of hearing the true voice of God. Jesus is telling his disciples about his impending death on the cross and his resurrection on the third day. In verse 21, with perfectly good intentions, Peter says, “Heaven forbid, Lord, ...This will never happen to you!”

Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” In this passage you can see the difference between the voice of God and the voice of Satan.

Peter's dilemma in this situation is just like ours. How do we seek God's divine will for our lives in any given area?

Jesus made it clear that believers normal experience is to clearly hear the voice of God. (John 10: 27)

John 10:27 (NLT)

27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Yet for so many, knowing the voice of God is difficult.

Here are some scriptural pointers that can help us.

I. CONSISTENT WITH THE WORD OF GOD.

(I John 4: 1)

1 John 4:1 (NLT)

1 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.

A. Whatever God tells you will always be consistent with the clear teaching of scriptures.

1. God will never condemn you if you are “confessed up”. (Romans 8: 1)

Romans 8:1 (NLT)

1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

2. God will never tell you to do anything that will damage your testimony.

II. CONFLICT WITH HUMAN WISDOM.

(Isaiah 55: 8)

Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)

8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.

A. Jesus often did and instructs us today that which is against human logic.

1. Example: (Matthew 5: 39)

Matthew 5:39 (NLT)

39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.

III. CLASH WITH FLESHLY NATURE.

A. The things of the spirit automatically clash with the things of the flesh.

1. (Galatians 5: 17)

Galatians 5:17 (NLT)

17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

2. ( 1 John 2: 16)

1 John 2:16 (NLT)

16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

IV. CHALLENGE TO FAITH.

(John 20: 27 )

John 20:27 (NLT)

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

A. God always challenges us to walk in faith.

1. God continually challenged Abraham to greater acts of faith.

V. COURAGE.

(Joshua 1: 6, 7, 9)

Joshua 1:6 (NLT)

6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.

Joshua 1:7 (NLT)

7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.

Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

A. God always encourages us to be courageous for him.

VI. CONSIDER THE EFFECTS ON OTHER PEOPLE.

(Philippians 2:4)

Philippians 2:4 (NLT)

4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

A. God will never instruct you to do what will destroy another person.

1. Paul instructs the Corinthians to use the law of love in regard to eating meat sacrificed to idols. (1 Corinthians 8:1-13)

VII. COMPLETE PATIENCE.

A. God never instructs us to dive in without waiting for instructions.

(Psalm 27: 14)

Psalm 27:14 (NLT)

14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

(Psalm 62: 5 )

Psalm 62:5 (NLT)

5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.

1. King Saul lost God's favor due to impatience. ( 1 Samuel 13:11-12)

1 Samuel 13:11–12 (NLT)

11 but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?” Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle.

12 So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.”

2. Nehemiah waited on God and was blessed. (Nehemiah 1: 4)

Nehemiah 1:4 (NLT)

4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

VIII. CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES.

(Hag. 1: 5, 7 )

Haggai 1:5 (NLT)

5 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you!

Haggai 1:7 (NLT)

7 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you!

A. God is the Lord of our future as well as our present. He is going to point out the future consequences of any decision we make. Satan will not.

1. If Abraham had considered the consequences, he probably would not have heeded Sarah about fathering a child by Hagar.

IX. CAREFULLY HEED GODLY COUNSEL.

(Proverbs 13: 10)

Proverbs 13:10 (NLT)

10 Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.

(Proverbs 20:5)

Proverbs 20:5 (NLT)

5 Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.

A. God often leads us to get advice from others.

1. When he does, we want to check out the lifestyle of the person from whom we receive counsel. (Psalm 1:1)

Psalm 1:1 (NLT)

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

X. CULTIVATES SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

( 2 Peter 3: 18 )

2 Peter 3:18 (NLT)

18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.

A. God will never lead us to do anything that will hinder our spiritual growth.

1. Example of girl I knew who thought God was leading her to marry a worldly man.

XI. CONSCIOUS PEACE.

(Philippians 4: 7)

Philippians 4:7 (NLT)

7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

(Colossians 3: 15)

Colossians 3:15 (NLT)

15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

A. When God speaks, the result is a growing sense of peace.

CONCLUSION:

A- Illustration of a child hearing parent’s voice.

B- It is a normal thing for a child of God to hear and recognize the voice of the heavenly father when he speaks. Using these scriptural principles will make it easier to discern the voice of God.

C- Has God been speaking to you about his will for your life? Why not surrender and complete obedience right now?