Posted on 03/25/2023 4:24:35 AM PDT by metmom
Sadly, great numbers of Christians do not know God’s voice. Some can go for months, even years, without ever receiving an intimate word from the Lord in their inner man. Oh, God did speak to them at one time; but over the years, they’ve learned to silence his voice in their hearts. Others have been turned off by so much foolishness among those who believe that every word that pops into their minds is divine. Such people boast, “God told me”; yet the ‘word’ they hear is only their covetous flesh taking voice!
If you want to know and hear God’s voice, be ready to have him speak of cleansing before he speaks of direction. Many Christians want God to tell them how to hold on to what they’ve earned, how to provide for their family, how to keep their business or career afloat. The truth is, though, before God gives us a word of direction in any of these matters, he’ll speak to us about his commandments.
“These things I command you, that you love one another” (John 15:17 NKJV).God will first speak to you about your actions at home with your spouse and children, about your quick temper, your grudges, your unforgiving spirit. He’ll point out every hidden, secret thing in your life; and he’ll lovingly tell you, “I want to be your adviser, your counselor, your guide, your protector, your provider. I want to walk with you through every trial and hardship. I want to favor, bless and keep you by my Spirit. But first, you must get honest with me about the hidden idols in your heart. Right now, you’re holding on to them, but you must give them up! We simply can’t walk together unless we agree on these matters of your heart.”
“Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part you will make me to know wisdom” (Psalm 51:6).Honesty and transparency before God is the first step toward peace, harmony and blessing.
The Return ping
Thank you, Metmom.
I have always been taught that God will only take us as far as our obedience “let’s” Him.
IOW, if we refuse to obey what he has revealed to us, He will not do more until we deal with what He showed us last.
And thus we stagnate. We are stuck there until we act.
Yeah. I’ve been thinking on this article, and I’m not sure I agree with the author’s position. We certainly didn’t follow God before we were saved, and He saved us anyway. Thanks be to Him!
I DO, however, understand and agree with his position for our own obedience ... though I blow it a hundred times a day.
That’s true but an unbeliever is incapable of following God.
However, as a believer, I think it’s a different story. This is a matter of moving ahead in faith in regard to something God has revealed to us. Whether it is taking some kind of action, or repenting of some sin He put His finger on, if we refuse to go there, I don’t think we can expect Him to lead us into the greater and deeper things He has for us.
I see it as Him waiting for us to take that next step of faith/obedience before revealing the deeper things of Himself to us. He’s not going to reward disobedience.
That’s the truth. Excellent post, Metmom!
I really do like “The Return” , Thank you Metmom for posting! Glory to Gods word and his love.
Good reminder!
[[Such people boast, “God told me”; yet the ‘word’ they hear is only their covetous flesh taking voice!]]
Covetousness is the root of most sins. Folks Covetousness what thry haven’t got, and make plans to get it without asking God if they should have it or not. God called it the greatest of sins. A coveting heart can never be satiated. The more one takes for,themselves, the more they covet, the more they demand.
Liberals covet and demand power, and they will go to any lengths to get it, legal or not, beczuse by and large their hearts are desperately wicked.
Pe4sonal gain, and working towards goals is not wrong, however, when one begins to covet, it is all they can think of and they plan ways to get more without cosulting with God, and that is where sin creeps in and overtakes them (they allow it to,overtake them b3czuse their end goal is all that matters, satiating, or attempting to anyways, their desires).
God must clean the heart, and the person must be willing to be cleaned by God. Thr sin of,Covetousness is at the root of most of our sins, even the small ones we think are hidden. We need to fall at his feet and cry out for help in overcoming all our sins first and foremost
The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
It’s kind of staggering to me how many times the devotional they post for that day speaks to EXACTLY where I am at the moment. It’s like they are bing written just for me and someone is doing it because they’ve been watching my life and know what I need.
Well, Someone has. Sometimes we just need to open our eyes to see how God is working in our lives.
God’s profound wisdom in demanding first our sanctification is yet another reason to worship Him instead of our inner idols. His cleansing prescription for our blessing reveals how Great a Physician He truly is.
Fifty-five years ago a man embarrassed me in front of a hundred onlookers. Recently, the Spirit prompted me to realize I’d been holding onto a grudge against him for all these years and challenged me to cast off that baggage finally by forgiving him.
That is a difficult thing to deal with, but God knows the way to spiritual freedom the best.
I’m glad you were able to resolve that, although I guess Satan probably stills tried to bludgeon you with it.
No, he realizes my forgiveness is genuine, so he’s moved on to more promising pitfalls, LOL.
We are indeed a work in progress.
Thank God for His mercy, grace, forgiveness, and indefatigable patience.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.