Quiet Games
Pt. 3 - Hearing Aids Pt. 2
I. Introduction
They would be enshrined in the childhood games hall of fame . . . 7-Up, Kick the Can, Musical Chairs but then there is the Quiet Game a perennial nominee for induction that would never get my vote. I hate the Quiet Game. No sound. No action. No movement. I didn't like it then and lo and behold the disdain for the game has carried over into my adult life.
We are following the world's most accomplished Quiet Game player. Ironically as big, loud, and overwhelming as God is it seems that He has an extreme affinity for the Quiet Game. So, once again my life seems to be captured in Deuteronomy 5:22 - "He spoke in a tremendous voice from the fire and cloud and dark mist. And that was it. No more words."
A desire to hear Him clearly but it is a struggle at times.
We said in the natural when we struggle to hear there are only 2 options we ask the people talking to shout louder or we invest in hearing aids. I told you that since God most likely won't raise His voice that we should employ the use of hearing aids. Last week I read this statement to you that Jesus made . . .
II. Text
John 10:27
Jesus said this, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."
So, Jesus tells us that our ability to follow is directly connect to and controlled by our ability to hear. If we can't hear then we will struggle to follow and it is also logical to realize that if we aren't hearing we may think we are following but discover that we have gone astray. Therefore, we should employ hearing aids to help us hear clearly.
The Bible gives us 7 hearing aids that are designed to help us filter or judge the leadings, promptings, counsel, and guidance of others. In the midst of a quiet season or stretch these hearing aids help us know how to proceed. We have looked at Scripture as the foundational and standard for all other aids in hearing. The Holy Spirit helps us remember or recall what Jesus' voice sounds like. The prophetic used in natural, normal conversation helps us help others and receive help in hearing God clearly. So let's continue.
4. Godly Counsel
Two things to notice here. First, notice the order. We tend to try to run to people counsel prior to running to the counsel of God's Word. We are opinion hungry and opinion controlled. We have to get the order right because if God's Word says something then all the opposing opinions are null and void. Second, notice I said Godly counsel! Some of us have counsel but it isn't Godly it is confusing and in some cases carnal. Some of the counsel we get and follow is nothing more than miserable people seeking company in their misery. Listen you can't seek counsel about money from someone who is bankrupt. Relationship counsel from someone who has a proven track record of failure in that area. Life coaching from someone who has no life. We must seek the people that God positions in our life to bring Godly counsel. You should have counsel in your life. Go to folks who you can get biblically sound advice. If you only trust your own thoughts, choices, decision making ability, then you have a pride issue. If your voice is the only voice that matters in every discussion, then you are headed for seasons of silence and pain. How many of you know that stupidity can lead to silence too?
The wisest man who has ever walked the planet knew that being a one man show was a recipe for failure. Listen to what he says in Proverbs 11:14 . . . "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety."
5. Confirmation
The idea of Godly counsel and the 5th hearing aid which is confirmation drive home the absolute importance of being in relationship in the body of Christ. This reminds us that we will struggle to hear God clearly in isolation.
Remember we are told in Matthew 18 that there is power in agreement. If every solid, Bible centered person you consult is against what you are talking about it should cause you to pause and go back and reconsider Hearing Aids 1-4. When you are struggling to hear God you should seek confirmation before making any major decisions. This hearing aid is a safety net for you. Is there any pause from those you submit to? Is there any concern? This hearing aid has been abused too in an attempt to control. I am not talking about that . . . Again the order is essential. But like the prophetic just because it has been misused doesn't give us permission to dismiss the value of this hearing aid. Who do you have in your life that their "no" overrules every yes except Scripture's or the Holy Spirit? Who do you have in your life whose "yes" overthrows every no except Scripture or the Holy Spirit? You need those type of folks!
6. The peace of God
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful" (Colossians 3:15).
There is a key phrase here . . . The peace of Christ. Many of us have become experts at making our own decisions and then claiming the peace of Christ. We are comfortable with the choice and then we want to claim Christ's approval simply because we have made up our mind. Too many of us are peaceful in choices that should be causing us to panic.
The peace of Christ cannot be found in choices that stand in stark contradiction to the Word. The peace of Christ cannot be found in choices that lower our standards of righteousness. The peace of Christ cannot be found in choices made from selfish motives.
The peace of Christ also addresses feelings. We know we can't trust our feelings. Our feelings change/fluctuate/vacillate and are fickle. We feel like being married today but tomorrow when they forget to raise/lower the seat we don't feel like being married anymore. The peace of Christ is a feeling but it isn't dictated or determined by our feelings. In fact, the power of the peace of Christ is that it will remain even when everything about a situation should make us feel like quitting, running, or bailing. Philippians 4:6-9 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." So the peace is there when we guard our hearts but is also present based on what we are thinking on, what we have learned, and what we have been taught.
7. Circumstances/Timing
This one is last but if we are not careful we tend to push this aid to the front and center and in fact elevate it over the Word and the Holy Spirit. We cannot nor should we deny that God does in fact work behind the scene on our behalf. He is pulling strings and making arrangements for us. Paul says God is actively working things together for our good. We see this in action in Paul's life in Acts.
"After these things he (Paul) left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working; for by trade they were tent-makers" Acts 18:1-3 -- this relationship between Paul, Aquila and Priscilla -- which happened as a result of circumstances -- became one of the most important strategic partnerships in the book of Acts.
I believe strongly in the ordering of our steps. The One who knows us directs our steps! When we hide His Word in our heart it becomes a light for our path. We know and embrace the hearing aid of opened and closed doors. Our challenge is we can't try to close or refuse to walk through doors He has opened. Likewise, we can't force our way into doors He has closed! This one really needs to be used in conjunctions with the others and never as a stand alone determination. Alone it isn't fail proof but in conjunction with the others as supplements you can walk into great opportunities and avoid serious pitfalls by hearing God through circumstances and timing.
