I want to preface this writing with an observation. The following paragraphs represent just a few negative aspects of not listening to the voice of God. When people reject direction from the Holy Spirit, their world is turned upside down, like flying an airplane in the clouds without having instrument certification; there is no sense of up or down; left or right. They call it flying blind. This is precisely what transpires when a person leans to their own abilities; picking themselves up by their own bootstraps, as it were, without the help of divine intervention. They are blind as a bat, because they refuse to listen to the voice of God.
Have you ever wondered, or asked yourself this question? “How do I know it’s the voice of God speaking to me?” For the most part, people of all races desire harmony in their lives unless they are hell bent on doing their own vexatious mischief, which leaves them open to a cesspool of qualms and misgivings. Uncontrollable urges can surface and drive an uncaring person into a mainline dominance over other people if they allow themselves to pursue this disturbed avenue of thinking.
When people do their own thing to obtain self-indulgent agendas without regard to the feelings and well-being of others, chaos follows. This frivolous disregard for compassion seldom bothers these sorted individuals. Emotions and sensitivity to the needs of those with whom they associate run cold. Their conscience is seared, because they refuse to hear the voice of God saying to them, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark )
An independent, spirited person can excels in areas that feed their egotistical drive to be noticed. The haughtiness of their personality shines brightest in the presence of their peers. They are thought to be showoffs. In their quest for power, fame, and fortune as bed partners, little room is left for compromise, because of reckless folly. They become headstrong like a disobedient child.
(Proverbs 22:15), “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.”
Blindly, these self-centered vagabonds drift into areas that bring self destruction and hurt upon themselves and those around them. In their feeble attempts to gain respect and wealth, they aimlessly follow an irregular path. Rather than seeking their fortune with God Almighty, and laying up treasures in heaven, they fall prey to an undisciplined life style. They leave God and the things of God far behind in the wake of a misdirected party-ship that is filled with temporal junk that holds little value when weighed in the scales of God’s judgment and mercy.
They show a frivolous disregard to God’s warning signs, which are always present. They willfully charge forward without considering the cost of hasty decisions, and disobey God’s laws. This is the grim picture of those that desire their own will rather than God’s will; refusing to listen to the voice of God.
People having self destructive tendencies, with a live and let live philosophy, often walk a tight rope of “I want it my way” antics. These seekers of pleasure straddle the fence between right and wrong, trying to work out their own destiny. On one side is the world’s glittering temptations and wealth, where as, God’s abundant life is on the other side. It’s difficult to ride the fence and not fall into the world’s enticing grasp. God would rather us be on fire for Him than lukewarm.
(Revelation 3:15-19), “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.” vs.16 “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” vs.17 “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—” vs. 18 “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.” vs.19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”
A keeping up with the Jones’s attitude can go beyond the line of demarcation where good judgment is needed, especially when the goal of that person is to achieve status and position of recognition for their showboat accomplishments. Bigger is not always better when a person compromises their faith to obtain it. Richer can only become poorer if personal grandstanding prevails rather than seeking God’s desire for a positive, end result.
The straight and narrow path that leads to heaven is the goal worth achieving, but this goal becomes skewed and out of focus when a driving force of greed takes command of a person’s better judgment. This force causes the ultimate goal to vegetate into a materialistic mindset.
(Psalm 37:23), “The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord.”
I believe this scripture to be true. I base my living on the premise that God goes before me and knows what path is right.
(Psalm 37:23), “The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord.”
I believe this scripture to be true. I base my living on the premise that God goes before me and knows what path is right.
God never says or does anything contrary to His Word. The Bible is the inerrant Word of God. He breathed upon holy men of old as they penned His truths. These men knew God and knew His voice when He spoke. They may have heard it while going through trials and tribulations, but they still heard Him. In prayer and supplication before God they sensed His presence and heard Him speaking. When deep meditation took them into the spiritual realm of God’s consciousness, they heard clearly what God was saying. When John the Revelator was banished to the island of Patmos
No matter how or when God spoke truth, He chose men to hear and write these inspired words on parchment for our edification today. The writings were miraculously preserved for an hour such as this. These men were in one mind and one accord with God; in perfect mind synchronization as they listened to the voice of God and penned His words.
We can have the mind of Christ and know His intellect; understanding and deciphering right from wrong that will help us live a life pleasing to God. Contentment and freedom triumphs as we walk in His perfect peace.
(John 8:32), “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”
If situations arise in our daily walk that are contrary to what the Bible says, it is wrong no matter how much a person wishes otherwise; it’s still wrong. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to understand this point. We can know God’s voice and the direction He desires for us. God speaks through the Bible; for this reason we must read His Word daily.
When a person attempts to manipulate God’s Word to their liking by taking it out of context to justify their misplaced allegiance, this creates a base from which untruths arise and chokes the life out of the person doing it. Confusion begins here.
(1 Corinthians ), “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace...”
The Holy Spirit convicts a person of wrong doing by pricking their heart with self condemnation, which brings an unrest and discontentment in every wrong thing they do. This person will know what things are wide of the mark, as God chastens them in love. The Spirit of God gives perfect peace and direction when obedience is observed and practiced. A Christian can know God’s will if they listen to His voice.
God does not leave His children to wander aimlessly in the desert of indecision and indecisiveness. He provides for them a road map that gives direction to an abundant life—the Bible. As a person strives to enter into the spiritual realm with God through prayer and reading His Word, God empowers that person with “God sense,” thus, sensitizing and sharpening communication skills between them and the Almighty. His perfect will speaks loudly when Christ’s followers listen to the voice of God.
My dad used the term “praying through” to express the power that is in prayer. He believed that a child of God can hear the voice of God, while kneeling in His presence, and pray to a point of decisive knowledge. They can know without a doubt what the will of the Lord is in matters needing Godly insight and direction. I know this to be true, because I've experienced it first hand.
I’ll never forget the words of my father-in-law. He said, “We are in the will of our Heavenly Father when we receive Jesus Christ into our heart, but finding His direction is another matter. This comes through prayer and reading God’s Word.”
God will never lead us astray, nor will He leave us to wander alone. We can know the voice of God when He speaks. We can have the confidence and peace of mind that our next move is according to His will. I call this, “blessed assurance.” Supernatural direction is needed as much today, perhaps more so, than earlier days of Christianity.
There are many leaders of our land and other countries throughout the world that go off half-cocked, trying to attain self imposed glory, power, and recognition through intimidation and other unprincipled means. They seek their own will rather than allowing the true and living God to direct their steps. As this persists, world wars will continue and global annihilation shall be the final word spoken by God. His wrath will fall and judgment pronounced. The war of Armageddon will be just a taste of what is to come, because humanity refuses to obey God’s laws.
As you and I await the inevitable to happen, we need not lose faith and hope for today. We can know the joy of the Lord as our strength. Whatever tomorrow brings, God will be with us and for us. We can live victoriously in spiritual harmony as long as we know who holds tomorrow in His hands, while listening to God’s voice speaking comfort and peace to our heart.
Though the world is filled with war mongers and leaders exerting man-made power and strength, God will have the final say one day. Let us hear the voice of God and live!
(Revelation 3:20-22), “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” vs.21 “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” vs.22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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