[Tweet “3 ways to know it’s the Spirit speaking @revtrev”]Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia,but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.
Why is it so important to hear the voice of God?
Story – Mom coming home a different way.
[Tweet “Why it’s so important to hear the Spirit speaking @revtrev”]My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 (New Living Translation)
Why is it so important to know it’s the Spirit speaking?
For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. Matthew 24:24 (NLT)
Any of us can be deceived by experience or our interpretation of experience.
[Tweet “Why it’s so important to know it’s the Spirit speaking @revtrev”]There are 3 things I’ve discovered to know it’s the Spirit speaking.
How do you know if it’s the Spirit speaking?
1. Does it honour Jesus?
So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3
I once was approached by a man in church who wanted me to read his Bible. By “his Bible” I mean the new revelation he got that was to supplant the 2000 year old scriptures we studied. I told him the Bible is our cannon and is the measure of all things. I asked him if his book line up with the Bible. He left.
[Tweet “Does it honour Jesus? @revtrev”]2. Is it consistent with Scripture?
“Burning in the Bosom” – why experience isn’t enough.
When Mormons come to my door I like to start off by truly complimenting there earnestness in helping others. They think that will get them into my door. I tell them, “The Bible says I can’t invite someone in preaching a different gospel.” At least one of them is surprised and ask, “How are we so different?”
“Elohim is God of the universe and possibly universes and not just the god of this world. Jesus is God of very God, not the brother of Lucifer. Holy Spirit is God very God and convicts, empowers, teaches and is God with us, not some warm fuzzy feeling to make us gullible to believe any line.”
Job 33:14
a. Supernatural experiences can come from one of three ways:
- from ourselves or others (psychic) – Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. James 1:14 (NLT)
- from the enemy – But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. James 1:14 (NLT)
- from God – For God speaks again and again though people do not recognize it. Job 33:14 ((NLT)
We live in an age where we are to test everything and hold to the good. (see Job 33:14)
Nehemiah 9:6
[Tweet “Is it consistent with Scripture? @revtrev”]b. It’s not enough just to have a burning in the bosom. We need to test everything and hold to the good.
Acts 5:3-4
1. Elohim is God of all creation, not just this planet.
You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you. Ephesians 4:30 (New Living Translation)
2. Jesus did not attain his godhead by living an upright life.
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
3. The Holy Spirit is not just a gift…
The Holy Spirit is equal to the Father (Matthew 28:19-20) and has personhood (Galatians 1:8-9 ) in the Trinity ()
Mormonism is another gospel…
…and look what Paul says about preaching another gospel:
Matthew 4:5-7
Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed. Matthew 4:5-7(New Living Translation)
God loves Mormons and wants them to know His love and turn to Him.
3. Does it have a “deeper knowing” with it?
Jesus in the desert used scripture…so the the devil. What was the difference?
[Tweet “Does it have a deeper knowing to it? @revtrev”]Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” Psalm 119:11
a) Need to know the Word
Ephesians 4:14-16
I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you. Ephesians 4:14-16 (New Living Translation)
How often do you eat?
Natural vs Spiritual
b) Need to know you’re growing in the Lord
No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. James 4:7-8The Message
You were created to grow more and more into the image of His son.
[Tweet “We need to know we’re growing in the Lord @revtrev”]c) Need to know you’re intimate with the original
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Luke 2:19 (New Living Translation)
Do you know how the RCMP train to know a counterfeit? They spend time with the original…
You need to have those supernatural experiences with God so you know when you experience false ones. Go to camp this summer. Spend time along with God
[Tweet “We need to know we’re intimate with the Original @revtrev”]Best Advice to Know it’s the Spirit Speaking
Take time to consider it
but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.
Luke 2:19
Ask other’s advice
A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel. Isaiah 30:21
Grow in your awareness of how the Spirit speaks
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Psalm 119:105
Trust the leading of the Spirit
Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say,“This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:21
Keep grounded in the Bible
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
1. You are his sheep, you know his voice
2. You have the Word and the Spirit…trust both
3. Your relationship with God is a two-way conversation…nurture it
What I’ve Taught on Holy Spirit
Check out my messages and blog posts on Holy Spirit. I’ll keep this updated. Let me know if there is a specific topic you want covered in the comments.
- Learn and Experience All You Can About Holy Spirit https://revtrev.com/live-hopeful/learn-and-experience-all-you-can-about-holy-spirit/
- How to know and experience more of our triune God today https://revtrev.com/living-light/trinity-essential/
- Is Spiritual Growth is on your vision board? https://revtrev.com/living-light/is-spiritual-growth-on-your-vision-board/
- How to be confident you’re being led from Holy Spirit https://revtrev.com/living-light/be-confident-led-holy-spirit/
- God is with us will I be with Him? https://revtrev.com/living-light/god-is-always-with-us-will-i-be-with-him/
- How to understand and and enjoy the Gifts God has for you Today https://revtrev.com/message/how-to-understand-and-enjoy-the-gifts-god-has-for-you-today/
- Buying the Holy Spirit https://revtrev.com/live-intentional/buying-holy-spirit/
- How to Release the gift of words of wisdom https://revtrev.com/livecasts/how-to-release-the-gift-of-words-of-wisdom/
- 70 Functions of the Holy Spirit https://revtrev.com/live-light/70-functions-of-the-holy-spirit/
- How can I Receive the Holy Spirit https://revtrev.com/live-today/how-can-i-receive-the-holy-spirit/
- 3 ways to know it’s the Holy Spirit Speaking https://revtrev.com/live-hopeful/3-ways-to-know-its-the-spirit-speaking/
- How to let the Fruit of Holy Spirit Transform you https://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-let-the-fruit-of-holy-spirit-transform-you/
- 5 things to know about Spiritual Growth https://revtrev.com/livecasts/5-things-to-never-forget-about-spiritual-growth/
- 11 ways the Holy Spirit Speaks to you https://revtrev.com/live-today/11-ways-the-spirit-speaks-to-you/
- Do Spirit-Filled Believers Leak the Spirit? https://revtrev.com/live-today/do-spirit-filled-believers-leak-the-spirit/
- How to use God’s Gifts for Another https://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-use-gods-gifts-for-one-another/
- I build myself up reflectionhttps://revtrev.com/livecasts/day-42-i-build-myself-up-reflection-livecast/
- 4 Tips I’ve learned To Hear the Spirit Speak https://revtrev.com/live-intentional/4-tips-ive-learned-to-hear-the-spirit-speak/
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