Category: Interior Life

discernment

Discerning The Voices In Our Head

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“Whose voice is that?” An area that trips up many of us is whether a voice in our head is ours or God’s. Quoting from a previous post: “Our own inner voice is very capable of speaking many things to us! Many confuse it with the voice of God. It can sound like another person talking. It can answer our questions, give direction, give long prophecies, teach us ideas – but none of it is from God. We should never underestimate the power of the human soul to generate all kinds of impressions that may seem like they are not from us. We need to be humble and seriously consider this possibility when doing discernment.” We need to be very honest when discerning the voices. God’s voice usually feels separate from us and produces the fruits of the Spirit. But it is easy to confuse his voice with ours. Discerning the Continue Reading →

two roads discernment

Overcoming A Fault That’s Beyond Your Character

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Have you noticed that sometimes the reason we aren’t overcoming a fault is that we haven’t fully intended to? We make some mild efforts to change but they don’t work. Then one day we decide to put our full effort into it and presto – the fault is gone! But we also have another kind of experience with overcoming a fault: failure, in spite of all our efforts. “I keep trying to stop doing this, but it doesn’t work.” We’ve probably all said this at some point. We ask God for help, read books, study Scripture, and exercise our willpower, but nothing works. And the fault lives on. Why do we have such different experiences with becoming holy? Because some changes are within our character, and some are not. What do I mean by this? There are some changes that God has already equipped us to make, and success is Continue Reading →

discernment scales justice

Discernment Guidelines Release The Spirit – Part 2

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Over the years I have experienced impressions through others (and myself) that were clearly from God and helpful, and others that weren’t from God. Using reliable discernment guidelines has been very important, even if there is a long learning curve. Last week we looked at the biblical idea of discernment and how discernment provides a safe place to release the Holy Spirit. This week we will look at some basic discernment guidelines that we can apply to hearing from God. In general, if a perception fits with the New Testament, especially the fruits of the Spirit, then we can consider if it might be from God. Otherwise, we shouldn’t consider it. This is probably the most basic of the discernment guidelines. It is especially important to keep in mind the virtues of the Holy Spirit. Anything from God will reflect His good nature. Just because a perception is good doesn’t mean it is Continue Reading →

discernment scales justice

Discernment Guidelines Release The Spirit – Part 1

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One of the questions I ask people before I give spiritual direction is whether they are open to supernatural ministry. This is because I sometimes invite God to give them impressions in a direction session. The most common response is something to the effect that they are cautious but open as long as there are discernment guidelines or wisdom applied to the situation. I suspect that the majority of Christians have this view, and it is a good one. Scripture is clear that discernment should be exercised in spiritual matters, not just spiritual gifts. Phil 1:9 states: “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.” Thus, Paul desires that believers grow in discernment, presumably in every area of their spiritual life. I Cor. 2:14-15a further explains “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for Continue Reading →

sitting in heaven

We Have A Spiritual Resurrection Now

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Resurrection is a big theme in Scripture. In several striking passages the Old Testament promises resurrection to the righteous. Isaiah 26:19 states, “your dead will live; their bodies will rise.” (NIV) Daniel 12:2 prophecies, “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will wake; some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” See also. Isaiah 25:8; Dan. 12:3, 13; Hos. 13:14. Then in the New Testament, the resurrection of the body becomes the prominent hope for believers. I Corinthians 15 is the classic passage on our bodily resurrection. But is it possible that we have a spiritual resurrection now? There is something more about resurrection in the New Testament. Ephesians 2:6 states “[God] raised us up with him [Christ] and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (ESV) What an incredible statement! How is it that we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies? When Continue Reading →