Discerning Whether That "Open Door" Is From God

- But the fact that the other person is talking to us like we’re the greatest thing since sliced bread doesn’t mean that we’ve actually got things together. The fact that they say we’re wise doesn’t actually mean that we’re about to make a decision.

- You’re the student calling that university and getting in a big conversation with the counselor about God. In the course of talking, the counselor says, “You really seem to be mature for your age in your faith. I tell you what, we need more people like you on this campus to impact it for Jesus.” Now, she may be sincere in what she’s saying, but the compliment shouldn’t lead you to shut down your critical thinking and say, “I should go there because they need me!”

- Don’t get sidetracked just because someone is saying nice things to you.

3. Know that God’s name being invoked is no guarantee.

- vv. 9-13 (also vv. 4-5).

- This is a weakness for a lot of Christians. We presume if the name of God comes up then it’s definitely a green light.

- I wish I could say that is true, but the sad reality is that there are a lot of people who invoke the name of God while having other agendas. There are lot of people who will talk about God while lying to you.

- I have (and this is a sad commentary) come to the point where if I am, for instance, shopping for a car and the salesman finds out I’m a Christian and starts talking about how he’s a believer and he’ll work extra hard to get us a great deal, I become cynical rather than expectant. I’ve been in too many situations where someone dropping the name of Christ did not translate into ethical behavior that I’ve grow callous on that one.

4. Always talk to God about it.

- v. 14.

- This is, without a doubt, their biggest mistake. Here is no question that God would have given them insight if only they’d asked.

- Sometimes our prayer lives get so focused on people’s sicknesses that we forget to pray about the life issues that we’re facing. I am ashamed to admit that there have been too many occasions when I’ve realized that I’ve been thinking on a problem for the better part of a week but I haven’t thought to actually pray about it.

- This is simple, but we forget too often. Talk to God about the situation.

- Many times in situation where it’s not a simple black-and-white, right-and-wrong issue, my prayer is along the lines of, “Father, I want to make the right decision, but I need Your help. I’m going to try to be as open as I can to Your voice. Help me to find Your answer.”

- In answering, God has done a variety of things, but one of the things that is worth mentioning is that often in these tough issues, I’ll get what I can only call a peace one way or the other. One of the options will have attending it a peace in my heart. When I was younger, I was offered a chance to be a Youth Director at a church in Huntington. I prayed about it and finally decided to turn it down. So I called the person in charge and told them that. After doing so, though, I had no peace about the decision. I just knew it was the wrong answer. So a couple days later I called her back and she was glad to receive my reconsidered response.