How can we discern God's voice to avoid "what I did not delight in"? Anchoring Ourselves in the Verse Isaiah 66:4: “So I will choose their punishments and will bring upon them what they dread. Because I called, but no one answered; I spoke, but they did not listen. They did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.” What Went Wrong in Isaiah’s Day • God’s voice was clear—He “called” and “spoke.” • The people ignored Him—“no one answered…they did not listen.” • Their will overruled His—“they did evil…chose that in which I did not delight.” The same pattern still ruins lives: deafness to God → wrong choices → discipline. Timeless Principles About Hearing God • God still speaks through His written Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • The Spirit illuminates what He has inspired (John 14:26). • Sheep recognize the Shepherd’s voice (John 10:27). • Refusal to heed hardens the heart (Hebrews 3:7-8). Practices That Tune Our Ears • Daily, unhurried Scripture reading—letting Psalm 119:105 light each step. • Quiet prayer that listens as much as it requests (Psalm 46:10). • Immediate obedience to the light already received (James 1:22). • Walking in step with the Spirit, not fleshly impulses (Galatians 5:16-17). • Fellowship with mature believers who sharpen discernment (Proverbs 27:17). • Noticing providential alignments or checks in circumstances (Acts 16:6-10). Reliable Tests for Discernment • Agreement with clear Scripture—God never contradicts Himself. • Christ-likeness—does it match the character of Jesus (1 John 2:6)? • Fruit test—will it produce love, joy, peace, and the other Spirit fruits (Galatians 5:22-23)? • Counsel test—seasoned saints confirm rather than conflict (Proverbs 11:14). • Peace test—“the peace of Christ” rules the heart when the direction is His (Colossians 3:15). • Door test—God often opens or shuts doors in harmony with His word (Revelation 3:7). Blessings Promised to Responsive Hearts • Divine favor: “To this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:2). • Personal guidance: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go” (Psalm 32:8). • Fullness of joy: “If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love…so that My joy may be in you” (John 15:10-11). Putting It All Together Staying saturated in Scripture, sensitive to the Spirit, swift in obedience, and surrounded by godly counsel positions every believer to hear God clearly and steer clear of anything He does not delight in. |
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