A Word for Our Arbor Family

Last night, Pastor Adam and I were eating dinner with our daughters. We had finished listening to a section of scripture and I asked the girls, “Do you feel like you have learned the voice of God when He speaks to you?” They answered honestly that they hadn’t yet locked in on what is His voice over what is their own or the voice of our enemy. They said there were times when they were confident it was Him speaking, leading, and guiding them, but they weren’t always able to determine His voice.

Here are a few ways I've learned to distinguish the voice of the Holy Spirit from all other influences:

1. Does it line up with God’s Word?
2. Does the thought lead you into Shame, Guilt, Pride, Condemnation, and Discouragement ... OR ... Does the thought lead you into Hope, Peace, Joy, Conviction, and Purpose? When God speaks, His Words are full of His nature and character, Hope, and Purpose. He doesn’t come to accuse and discourage you to the point of inactivity- No, that is the work of the enemy!
3. You’ve lived your whole life with your own thoughts. As God calls you to Salvation, a new set of thoughts begin to occur. These lead, guide, and encourage you into obedience to God and His Word. They should feel new to you and different from the thoughts you’ve had your whole life.
   
   

“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” - John 14:15-17