Is it ME , God or the Devil

Note: We ALL have been here with different thoughts of wondering who’s voice it is.

Note: And we have friends, family & co-workers that love to always say “God spoke this to me, God said this, God said that, God showed me this, God spoke to me in the shower, God spoke to me while I was driving”. and you ask this question about them to yourself, Is God REALLY Speaking to them like that?

Note: One of the things we have to understand when the LORD speak to us it want have sorrow behind it.

Proverbs 10:22 (KJV 1900)

22 The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, And he addeth no sorrow with it.

Note: So how can you be sure?

Principle: Now the Devil don’t have ( DIRECT ) access to our mind like we have been told down thru the years.

Note: He can’t plant a thought directly into your mind & force you to think about it, but what he can do is influence the thoughts you think about.

Note: If he could do that he would never let us think about God.

[The bible describe the Devil]

John 12:31 (NASB95)

31 “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

Note: God has given him the freedom, the power & the right to infiltrate this world with his demonic system. So he put those things out there in the atmosphere and we have the choice to be able to meditate on that or not.

James 1:14 (NASB95)

14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.

Example: You’re online with work and a pornographic picture in the corner pops up. Now the Devil can’t force you to think about that but if there’s already an issue of lust in your mind, then you’re going to be encourage to look at that.

Note: So these are the ways the Devil can influence our mind.

Note: He can’t force you to think about anything but he is paying attention to our pattern, our habits, our sin struggles and our strongholds & he will put somethings out there to influence our thinking.

Note: And a lot of times he will put something out there that’s GOOD so it will block something that’s GREAT [ Example: A job career or job move ]

[ Let’s look at when God Speaks or God’s Voice ]

1st: God speaks through The Word of God

Note: If you don’t spend time with God thru His word you are limiting yourself from knowing His voice or when He speaks.

Note: If you’re not in God’s word it’s going to be hard to discern what you’re thinking & what you’re hearing from other people is really truly from God or not.

Note: Any thought from God will be confirm thru His word [It won’t contradict what He has already written]

2nd: God speaks through The Holy Spirit

you fill your spirit with God’s truth

you have a situation you need guidance

The Holy Spirit reminds you of God’s perspective

John 14:26 (NASB95)

26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

Note: The more you are in-tuned with God’s word, the more you can discern His voice

3rd: God speaks through Community

Proverbs 11:14 NKJV

14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 14:12 NKJV

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 3:5 KJV 1900

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding.

Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV

9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

Note: That is why you should never tell someone to “follow their heart”

Note: Our heart & motives don’t always line up with God that’s why it’s OK to seek counsel

Note: You need to have spiritually mature people around you so you can bounce your ideas off of them

Note: At the end of the day, only the Holy Spirit really knows what God is really doing in your life

4th: God speaks through Preaching & Teaching

Note: The reason why I have this a little lower on the list is because not everyone is using the Word of God or even want to hear the Word of God

Scrip: 2nd Tim. 2:15

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV 1900

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

5th: God Speaks through Circumstances/Confirmation

Note: when you have a big decision or move to make, always pray and ask God to confirm it and let God know that you WANT HIS WILL

Note: When you’re not sure God is speaking or showing you clear and if you TRULY DESIRE HIS WILL keep moving forward with the decision until He closes the door

6th: God Speaks through Prayer

Scrip: Acts 13:2-3

Acts 13:2–3 KJV 1900

2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Scrip: James 1:5

James 1:5 NASB95

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Note: God might not speak to you but He sometimes have given you the wisdom to make that decision

Note: Remember you don’t have to pray for what He has told you or commanded you to do.