The Clear Difference Between God's Voice and Your Thoughts | C.S Lewis 2024

today we're talking about a question that so many Believers wrestle with is this God's voice or just my own thoughts and emotions this is a real struggle and it's something I call spiritual OCD sometimes we overanalyze every thought that comes into our minds obsessively wondering if it's God ourselves or even a spiritual enemy and this can lead to spiritual exhaustion fear and confusion the Bible tells us we can know the voice of the holy spirit in John 10:27 Jesus says my sheep hear my voice so as God's children we do have the capacity to discern

his voice today we're going to look at how we can distinguish God's voice from all the other voices that come into our minds by identifying some key characteristics of the holy spirit's guidance these insights will give us confidence peace and clarity as we walk in the spirit one of the shest signs of God's voice is its stability and consistency God's nature is unchanging which is reflected in the reliability of his words to us Isaiah 48 states the grass withers and the flowers fall but the word of our God endures forever this scripture paints a powerful

contrast while the natural world changes God's voice remains steadfast this stability provides an anchor for us especially in times of Doubt or transition reminding us that he is the same yesterday today and forever now think about our own thoughts and emotions they can be as changeable as the weather when facing stressful situations our feelings may swi from Hope to despair optimism to fear making it hard to feel grounded but God's voice brings Clarity not confusion and calls us to peace even when life feels chaotic for instance when we read about God's interactions with Biblical figures

like Moses or David we see a consistency in his character his promises and commands align with his eternal nature revealing his faithfulness and unwavering purpose Moses heard God's Voice through the burning bush and was given the task of leading Israel God consistently reassured him and was patient with Moses's insecurities showing that he doesn't rush or change his expectations on a whim in contrast our own thoughts are often colored by our fluctuating emotions we might feel led to make a big life change one day only to feel hesitant or doubtful the next this instability can be

particularly confusing when we're trying to follow God's will however when God speaks he doesn't contradict himself or leave us feeling disoriented James 1: 5-6 tells us that when we ask for wisdom we should not doubt because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wind God words provide a solid foundation upon which to stand enabling us to make decisions confidently without feeling tossed around by every passing thought or or emotion when Discerning if a thought or or instruction is from God ask yourself is this consistent with what I

know of his character and his word if what you're hearing contradicts a truth in scripture or changes based on your emotions it is likely not from God a common way this manifest is in feelings about calling or purpose someone may feel one day that they're called to missionary work only to later feel that they should instead pursue a completely unrelated path God can certainly guide us into different seasons but he does so in a way that aligns with his stable and loving character not in a manner that leads to confusion if you're seeking God's guidance

start by grounding yourself in his promises find scriptures that relate to your situation and meditate on them allowing his consistent truth to bring Clarity God's voice is always in alignment with the rest of his word providing confirmation and peace rather than instability or hesitation ultimately God's voice will reveal his unchanging nature his unwavering faithfulness and his steadfast love Psalm 23 beautifully describes God as our Shepherd one who leads me beside Quiet Waters this image of a Shepherd guiding his sheep reveals much about the nature of God's voice unlike a voice that pressures rushes or overwhelms

God's voice gently guides us with wisdom and peace when God speaks he doesn't push us into action through anxiety or fear rather he draws us to follow him willingly it's worth noting that there are instances when the Holy Spirit speaks with urgency like in situations of immediate danger for instance the Apostle Paul when prevented by the spirit from entering certain regions acts 16: 6-7 experien a direct redirection that required him to be alert to the spirit's guidance however these moments are the exception rather than the rule generally God's voice is one of patient guidance he

allows us time to respond to seek counsel and to act with Clarity the enemy on the other hand loves to stir up a sense of urgency or Panic the voice of the devil often sounds pushy driving us to make hasty decisions that may lead to regret or confusion for instance when the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness Matthew 4 he pressed him with challenges that would push Jesus to act out of impulse or Pride Jesus however responded with the calm assurance that comes from being rooted in God's truth resisting the push and waiting on God's

timing our own voice fueled by fear or insecurity can also push us into making impulsive decisions when we act out of fear fear of missing out fear of making mistakes or fear of disapproval our decisions are often misguided Proverbs 3: 5-6 tells us to trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding a reminder to let God's voice lead rather than our own fears or pressures when Discerning God's guidance ask your yourself is this voice guiding me peacefully or is it pushing me anxiously a key difference between God's guidance

and the enemy's lies is the sense of peace that accompanies God's voice if you feel pressured to make a quick decision without time to think pray or seek wise counsel take a step back God's guidance will always give room for confirmation and Clarity God's voice also doesn't depend on frantic action to be effective he's not in a hurry and his timing is perfect when faced with decisions cultivate a habit of waiting and praying for clarity if you feel that God is leading you ask him to confirm it in scripture through trusted counsel or by a

peace that surpasses understanding Philippians 4:7 the Holy Spirit guides us step by step without creating unnecessary tension as we learn to wait and listen we'll find that God's voice is not forceful but is steady reliable and comforting one of the most reliable ways to discern if we're hearing from God is to compare the message to scripture numbers 23:19 says God is Not Human that he should lie not a human being that he should change his mind this tells us that God's voice will never ask us to act against what he has already spoken through his

word when God speaks his voice reflects his truth aligning perfectly with the Bible's teachings and principles God's voice is reliable because it's based on his unchanging word in Practical terms this means that if we're feeling led to do something that goes against clear biblical teachings we can confident ly know is not from God our own desires the influence of culture or even the enemy may suggest actions that compromise scriptural truth but God's voice will always uphold the truth of his word Jesus set an example for us in the wilderness when tempted by the devil rather

than engaging in debate he responded with it is written Matthew 4 affirming the power of God 's word as a clear unchanging Authority our minds are fallible and can lead us astray especially when we're in emotionally charged situations when feelings are intense whether it's excitement anger or fear we may feel certain that we're hearing from God because our emotions are so strong but strength of feeling is not a substitute for biblical confirmation if we're facing an important decision or even a challenging time in our faith it's essential to check our thoughts and ideas against the

word ask yourself does this line up with scripture if a voice is urging you towards something that would require you to compromise your values act dishonestly or take a path of compromise you can be sure it's not from God the Bible is clear that God will never endure sin short Cuts or anything that compromises his standards of Holiness and integrity God's voice always calls us higher never down he will not lead us in a way that contradicts his nature or his commands our culture today often encourages self-gratification and moral relativism but these messages do not

align with God's truth when you're faced with the decision or sense that God is speaking seek out scriptures that apply to the situation and ask yourself if the voice aligns with what God has already spoken God's word is the anchor of truth that keeps us grounded providing Clarity in direction another distinguishing Mark of God's voice is that it speaks from a place of Peace even when God convicts us or brings a challenging word his voice is marked by a peace that reassures US 1 John 4:18 tells us there is no fear in love but perfect

love drives out fear while the Holy Spirit may lead us into uncomfortable or humbling truths he does so in a way that gives us inner peace not anxiety or dread often we might feel nervous or apprehensive when God is calling us to take a leap of faith but these feelings are different from the sense of Torment or fear that comes from our own minds or the enemy God's voice is gentle and comforting never chaotic or fear inducing even in moments of Correction or rebuke God's voice brings a sense of Peace Hebrews 12:11 says no discipline

seems Pleasant at the time but painful later on however it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it this verse assures us that even in correction God's voice leads us toward peace not shame or condemnation if we're experiencing turmoil self-doubt or fear we're likely listening to our own insecurities or the enemy's lies the enemy loves to stir up fear and shame making us feel inadequate or hopeless but God's voice speaks from a place place of love peace and encouragement inviting us to draw near to him rather than running

away when Discerning if you're hearing from God ask yourself is there a peace at the core of this message you may feel nervous or convicted but the presence of God's peace will always confirm his leading if a thought is leaving you in a state of panic condemnation or confusion it is likely not from God God his Spirit brings peace that surpasses all understanding even when he calls us to make challenging changes or to repent from sin God's peace is the marker of his presence a yes from the Holy Spirit Jesus said Peace I leave with

you my peace I give you John 14:27 that peace does not mean every decision will be easy but it does mean that even in difficulty you'll have a core assurance that he is with you guiding and upholding you one of the clearest ways to recognize God's voice is by its affirmation of our identity in him God's voice builds us up reminds us who we are in Christ and reassures US of his unchanging love Romans 8: 15-16 beautifully illustrates this the spirit you received does not make you slaves so that you live in fear again rather

the spirit you received brought about your adoption to sunship and by him we cry Abba Father the spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children when God speaks there is no uncertainty about where we stand with him his voice is filled with love stability and conviction inviting us to live confidently as his beloved children in contrast the voice of the enemy always aims to distort our identity this is a tactic he has used since the beginning a scen in Genesis 3 where the serpent LED Eve to question God's word and doubt his

goodness Satan uses subtle lies to create doubt insecurity and confusion when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness he started by questioning Jesus's identity saying if you are the Son of God Matthew 4:3 but Jesus rooted in his identity and in the truth of God's word responded with scripture each time refusing to be swayed our own thoughts can also create doubt about our identity particularly when we focus too much on our weaknesses failures or inadequacies we may May question whether God truly loves us or if we're good enough for him but this is not the voice

of the Holy Spirit while the spirit May convict us of sin and call us to repentance he does so in a way that lovingly draws us back to God he corrects us without tearing us down or questioning our place in God's family Hebrews 12:6 reminds us the Lord disciplines the one he loves and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son when God corrects us it's from a place of Love intended to build us up not tear us down when Discerning if a thought is from God ask yourself does this affirm my identity as a

child of God if a voice is leaving you feeling condemned unworthy or questioning your place in God's family it is likely not from him condemnation and shame are the enemy's tools used to drive a wedge between us and our heavenly father conviction on the other hand is a loving call to change that brings us closer to God and reaffirms his love for us this discernment process is crucial in today's world where we're constantly bombarded with messages that cause us to question our worth social media societal expectations ations and even well-meaning friends can create doubt and

insecurity however God's voice cuts through the noise with truth affirming that we are fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 1394 and reminding us of our purpose in him if you're struggling with doubts about your value remember that God's voice will always bring Clarity and reassurance he will remind you that you are loved Chosen and held by him meditate on scriptures that affirm your identity in Christ such as Ephesians 1: 4 to 5 which tells us that we are chosen and adopted by God and 1 Peter 29 which reminds us that we are a royal priesthood called

to declare his Praises this foundation in truth helps us resist the enemy's lies and remain secure in our God given identity in our daily lives we encounter a variety of voices that can shape our decisions beliefs and sense of direction broadly these voices fall into four categories self Satan secular and spirit Romans 122 urges us to be transformed by the renewing of your mind so we can discern God's Will and separate his voice from the others by identifying these four voices we gain Clarity on when God is speaking and learn to filter out distractions and

lies that can mislead us one The Voice of Self The Voice of Self is often shaped by our desires fears and insecurities while our personal thoughts can be valuable they are often influenced by past experiences emotions or cultural pressures which can sometimes distort our perspective for example you may feel led to pursue a career path because it promises security or approval but is that really God's call for you Proverbs 14:12 reminds us that there is a way that appears to be right but in the end it leads to death our own reasoning can sometimes lead

us astray especially when driven by fear or Pride recognizing when we are relying on our own understanding rather rather than God's direction is the first step in Discerning his voice two the voice of Satan the enemy's voice is marked by lies condemnation and Temptation Satan's primary tactic is to lead us away from God by sowing seeds of doubt and confusion as Jesus said in John 8:44 there is no truth in him he is a liar and the father of Lies the enemy often disguises his voice as seemingly harmless suggestions or thoughts but his goal is

always to weaken our relationship with God when you hear thoughts that make you question God's goodness prompt you to sin or fill you with condemnation it's important to recognize that this is not from God Jesus resisted the devil's Lies by quoting scripture setting a powerful example for us to combat deception with truth three the voice of the secular world the secular voice surrounds us through culture media and even well-meaning friends or family this voice often promotes values that conflict with God's word encouraging us to prioritize self pleasure or material success above spiritual growth Colossians 2:8

warns us see to it that no one takes you captive through Hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ it's easy to be influenced by societal pressures but as Believers we're called to listen to God above the world's opinions four the voice of the Holy Spirit finally the holy spirit's voice is consistent with scripture root Ed in love and brings peace and conviction without condemnation the Holy Spirit leads us in truth reminding us of jesus' teachings and guiding us closer to God's will

when God speaks there's often a quiet steady Assurance a Clarity that cuts through doubt John 14:26 tells us that the spirit will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you this voice encourages us aligns with scripture and calls us to a life of Holiness and purpose when trying to discern which voice is speaking ask does this voice lead me closer to God affirm biblical truth and bring peace if not it's likely from self Satan or secular influence practicing discernment is like training our spiritual senses Hebrews 5 14 to

recognize the difference between God's guidance and other influences the more time we spend in God's word and in prayer the easier it becomes to hear his voice above the others it's crucial to renew our minds daily immersing ourselves in God's word so that we are equipped to resist the enemy's lies filter out secular pressures and avoid relying solely on our own understanding but by grounding ourselves in scripture and seeking the holy spirit's guidance we can clearly discern when God is speaking leading us to live confidently in his truth as we close let's remember that Discerning

God's voice is less about skill and more about intimacy with him the voice of the Holy Spirit isn't hidden from us it's accessible clear and always aligns with God's unchanging word God speaks in ways that are stable peaceful affirming and consistent he draws Us near never using fear or condemnation to push us away but rather calling us higher building us up and rooting Us in his love the world our own thoughts and the enemy all speak loudly and frequently but God's voice brings a calm and a confidence that outshines the rest as we learned Discerning

his voice voice means silencing the noise tuning in to his word and letting the Holy Spirit reveal God's truth to us daily this process may require patience and trust but the result is profound a life anchored in the peace and certainty of God's guidance so as you go forward commit to making space in your life for God's voice be intentional about grounding yourself in his word surrounding yourself with Godly counsel and making prayer a regular habit when you do his voice will become a Guiding Light bringing Clarity confidence and direction in every season let God's

voice be your foundation your comfort and your wisdom let's pray father thank you for the gift of your voice and the guidance of your spirit teach us to recognize your voice above all others help us to tune out the distractions rely on your word and rest in your peace draw us closer to you each day and let our lives reflect your Truth and Love in jesus' name amen thank you so much for watching if this message resonated with you and touched your heart please show your support by liking this video sharing it with others and

leaving an a Amen in the comments every interaction helps this message reach those who may be struggling with the same questions thank you again for watching and may God's voice become ever clearer in your heart blessings to each of you