John 10:27 – The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.
Introduction: The Importance of Recognizing the Voice of God
• Examine the role of spiritual discernment in making the right decisions in our personal and professional lives.
• Scripture references: 1 Corinthians 2:14
I. Characteristics of Satan's Voice and How It Deceives People
A. Satan's voice is often disguised and difficult to recognize.
B. Biblical examples of Satan's deception:
1. Genesis 3:1-5 - The serpent deceiving Adam and Eve
2. John 8:44 - Jesus describes Satan as the father of lies.
3. Matthew 4:1-11 - Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness.
1 John 4:1-3 AMP
1. BELOVED, DO not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world.
2. By this you may know (perceive and recognize) the Spirit of God: every spirit which acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [actually] has become man and has come in the flesh is of God [has God for its source];
3. And every spirit which does not acknowledge and confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh [but would annul, destroy, sever, disunite Him] is not of God [does not proceed from Him]. This [nonconfession] is the [spirit] of the antichrist, [of] which you heard that it was coming, and now it is already in the world.
II. Challenges in Discerning Self-Voice and Making God-Centered Decisions
A. Discuss the difficulty separating personal wants and desires from God's guidance.
B. Discuss the need for humility and surrender to God's will.
C. Practical ways to discern self-voice:
1. Prayerful reflection on motives and desires
2. Seeking counsel from trusted spiritual mentors
3. Evaluating decisions against Biblical principles
1 Corinthians 2:14-15
14. But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.
15. But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].
III. Six Ways to Discern God's Voice from the Devils.
1. God's voice resonates profoundly within my spirit, while the adversary's whispers target my soul and thoughts.
a. God alone resides within our spirit. Satan and God cannot both occupy our spirit man at one time.
b. "But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit." (1 Cor. 6:17)
2. The voice of God is tender and convincing, devoid of coercion, while Satan's voice is boisterous and insistent, constantly urging an instant reaction.
a. God says this is what you ought to do - Satan screams, this is what you HAVE to do!
For the believer: If a thought is accompanied by intense pressure, it is advisable to dismiss it immediately as either a trick of your mind or a tactic of Satan.
3. God's voice instills peace and an assurance that all is managed, while Satan's voice incites hopelessness, making you feel as if everything has gone astray and nothing can be salvaged.
a. Panic and abnormal fear (such as, I may lose everything…) are from Satan. Rebuke the feeling in the name of Jesus.
For the believer: If your thoughts evoke a sense of despair, helplessness, and hopelessness, rest assured that it is NOT the voice of God!
4. The voice of God is consistently lucid and unmistakable, providing clear guidance for our path. In contrast, Satan's voice creates bewilderment, leading to disorientation and a breakdown of focus and organization while challenging divine order.
a. "For God is not the author of confusion…" (1 Cor. 14:33). Confusion = Unrest, Disorder, Instability.
For the believer: If we are uncertain about the path to take, it's best to be patient. God is not bothered by waiting for His children to understand and determine His will.
5. God usually communicates when I am actively searching and attentive to His presence, whereas Satan intrudes upon our thoughts without invitation.
a. "Then shall ye call upon me, and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
And ye shall seek me and shall find me when ye shall seek for me with all your heart." (Jer. 29:12-13)
For the believer: Do not place significant importance on fleeting thoughts that enter your mind. If God intends for you to be aware of something, He will persistently and gently remind you.
6. The Holy Spirit brings conviction for particular transgressions, making it evident what must be acknowledged and repented. In contrast, Satan and our inner voice tend to speak in vague terms.
a. God says, yesterday at 6 pm, you spoke unkindly to this person, etc.
b. Have you ever felt puzzled when you knew you should confess something but could not pinpoint it? In such situations, perhaps we should begin to praise God for His incredible mercy instead of dwelling on the uncertainty.
For the believer: During prayer, admit and address the matters that arise in your thoughts. If there is a need to recognize and repent for something, trust that the Holy Spirit will present it to you.
IV. Cultivating Spiritual Discernment through Jesus' Teachings and Prayer
A. Talk about the importance of developing a personal relationship with Jesus.
B. Techniques for deepening spiritual discernment:
1. Metaphor: Understanding spiritual truths through relatable comparisons.
2. Repetition: Reinforcing important teachings and principles.
3. Allusion: Drawing connections between scripture and life experiences.
4. Figurative language: Communicating complex ideas through imagery.
5. Parallelism: Highlighting key themes and relationships between ideas.
Conclusion: The Path to Spiritual Maturity and Discernment
• A challenge concerning discernment.
