How To Differentiate Your VOICE and God's VOICE

How To Differentiate Your VOICE and God's VOICE
Short Summary:
This video focuses on the challenge of discerning between our own thoughts and God's voice. It provides three key tips for recognizing God's guidance: aligning thoughts with scripture, being filled with the Spirit, and praying over time. The video emphasizes that God's voice will never contradict His word and encourages listeners to draw closer to God to hear His voice more clearly.
Detailed Summary:
Section 1: Introduction
The video begins by acknowledging the difficulty of hearing God's voice clearly and the risk of confusing it with our own thoughts and emotions. It sets the stage for exploring practical tips to differentiate between the two.
Section 2: Tip #1: Tie Thoughts to Scripture
The speaker emphasizes the importance of grounding thoughts in scripture, using Psalm 119:105 as an example. The verse describes God's word as a lamp and light for our path. The speaker suggests that when a thought arises, we should consider its potential source: our own mind, emotions, or God's guidance. To discern God's voice, we should seek a scriptural basis for the thought. This process helps us avoid mistaking our own desires or fears for God's direction.
Section 3: Tip #2: Be Filled with the Spirit
Drawing from Galatians 6:7-8 and John 3:30, the speaker highlights the importance of being filled with the Spirit. He explains that sowing seeds of the flesh (sinful actions) leads to corruption, while sowing seeds of the spirit (good actions) results in everlasting life. The speaker emphasizes that John the Baptist understood the need for more of God and less of himself. He suggests that increasing our time in prayer, Bible reading, and fellowship with other Christians can help us discern God's voice more clearly.
Section 4: Tip #3: Pray Over Time
The speaker references 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which encourages us to "pray without ceasing." He explains that time can be a valuable tool in discerning God's voice. He shares personal anecdotes about seeking God's guidance in romantic relationships and a calling to serve in Japan. He notes that emotions fluctuate, and time can help us distinguish between fleeting feelings and God's consistent direction. He also recommends fasting, seeking counsel from spiritual mentors, and disconnecting from the world to hear God's voice more clearly.
Section 5: Conclusion
The video concludes by summarizing the three tips: aligning thoughts with scripture, being filled with the Spirit, and praying over time. It emphasizes the importance of drawing near to God to hear His voice more clearly and reassures viewers of God's love for them.