How can we discern God's messages in our lives like Ezekiel 21:1? Ezekiel 21:1—The Pattern to Notice “Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,” (Ezekiel 21:1) • The source: God alone • The delivery: direct and unmistakable • The recipient: a servant already surrendered to God’s purposes Scripture—God’s First and Final Word “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16) • Read the Bible daily, expecting literal truth and practical direction. • Trace the plain meaning first; symbolism never cancels the straightforward sense. • Let clearer passages interpret harder ones, never vice-versa. Listening Hearts—The Inner Witness of the Spirit “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit … will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.” (John 14:26) • Schedule quiet—phones off, Bible open, notebook ready. • Ask the Spirit to illuminate specific verses; record recurring impressions that align with Scripture. • Watch for godly conviction rather than vague emotion. Purity and Obedience—Preparing the Receiver “The LORD confides in those who fear Him; He reveals His covenant to them.” (Psalm 25:14) • Repent quickly: lingering sin muffles God’s voice. • Walk humbly: self-reliance stiff-arms divine guidance. • Obey promptly: light obeyed brings more light. Testing Every Message “Do not extinguish the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt, but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21) Filter incoming impressions through three checkpoints: 1. Consistency—does it square with the clear teaching of Scripture? 2. Christlikeness—does it exalt Jesus and foster holiness? 3. Confirmation—do mature believers affirm it without coercion? Wise Counsel—Hearing Together “Where there is no guidance, a people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Proverbs 11:14) • Share what you sense with trusted, Scripture-saturated friends. • Invite correction; truth loses nothing by examination. Daily Rhythms That Keep Ears Open • Word intake: read, study, memorize. • Prayerful reflection: ask, listen, jot insights. • Journaling: note patterns, answered prayers, repeated verses. • Immediate obedience: act on the smallest prompting that matches Scripture. Acting on the Message “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22) • Move from information to application; revelation unused soon fades. • Expect God’s peace to accompany each obedient step (Colossians 3:15). Following Ezekiel’s example starts with reverencing the same unchanging Word, cultivating a clean, quiet heart, and testing every impression by the Scriptures. When those pieces are in place, you will discern God’s messages with increasing clarity and confidence. |
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