How To Know It's God
How To Know It’s God
1 John 4:1 (NIV) Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Seven ways to test what you hear:
1. Does it agree with God’s written words?
Luke 21:33 (ESV) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Galatians 1:8 (NIV) But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!
2. Does it conform to the moral image of Jesus Christ?
Philippians 2:5 (NRSV) Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus…
James 3:14-17 (NIV) 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
3. Does my church family confirm it?
Ephesians 3:10 (NLT) God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Proverbs 12:15 (NIV) The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
Proverbs 19:20 (MSG) Take good counsel and accept correction - that’s the way to live wisely and well.
Proverbs 13:20 (ESV) Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Acts 20:22-24; 21:3, 10-14 (NIV) 22“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. … 21:3Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. …10After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” 12When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
4. Is it consistent with how God has shaped me?
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Romans 12:4-8 (NIV) 4For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
5. Does it concern the things God has made me responsible for?
John 21:20-22 (NIV) Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
Romans 14:12 (NIV) So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
6. Is the message convicting or is it condemning?
1 John 1:9 (NIV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 8:1 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…
7. Do I sense God’s peace about it?
1 Corinthians 14:33 (NIV) For God is not a God of disorder but of peace – as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
Colossians 3:15-16 (ESV) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Growing Deeper Together
Use these points throughout the week as part of your quiet time, in your small group, or over coffee with a friend to help you apply what you learned in today’s message.
Shane spent time working through James 3:14-17. Pray and meditate on those verses. Read also Galatians 5:16-25 and Philippians 4:8-9. The Bible gives us many examples of what our life looks like as we grow to become like Christ in our desires, thoughts, and actions. How are you growing Christlikeness today? What sinful acts are dead & buried in your life? Alive & well? Which spiritual fruit is blossoming? Which are still in the bud?
- Review point #3 and the scriptures there.
- Who do you go to for wise counsel? What do you require of those you choose? Accountability? Able to speak hard truth? Must be a believer? Other things?
- Are you someone others seek out for counsel and advice? Are you prepared to speak biblical truth grounded in love even when it’s difficult? Consider these steps: 1. Listen (Pr. 20:5); 2. Discern (Pr. 17:28); 3. Advise (Mt. 5:38); 4. Evaluate (Mt. 7:1); 5. Release (Ph. 2:13)
God shapes us uniquely and specifically for the purposes he’s planned for us. As you discover your shape, you are better able to serve and participate in the Kingdom work being done through the local church. Plan to attend Core Classes on August 11 to learn more and grow with Jesus. Sign up at northpointe.org/core