How can we discern God's warnings in our lives today? Hearing the Roar: Amos 3:4 and God’s Purposeful Warnings “Does a lion roar in the forest when it has no prey? Does a young lion growl in its den unless it has captured something?” (Amos 3:4) The roar signals that something has already happened. Likewise, whenever God warns, an underlying issue is present; His alerts are never random. Ways the Lord Sounds the Alarm Today • Scripture – “All Scripture is God-breathed… for conviction.” (2 Timothy 3:16) • Holy Spirit – “When He comes, He will convict the world…” (John 16:8) • Faithful preaching and prophecy – “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7) • Providential circumstances – the Spirit blocked Paul’s travel plans (Acts 16:6-7). • Godly counsel – “With many counselors there is deliverance.” (Proverbs 11:14) • Church discipline and loving rebuke – “Those I love, I rebuke and discipline.” (Revelation 3:19) Recognizing the Warning Signal • Consistency with the written Word (Hebrews 4:12). • Increase of inner conviction, not mere anxiety. • Repetition: a verse, sermon, or circumstance keeps resurfacing (cf. Genesis 41:32 principle). • Confirmation by mature believers who walk closely with the Lord. • Closed doors that align with scriptural principles, not with fear or compromise. Common Signals We Overlook – A passage that pierces the heart every time it is read. – Persistent lack of peace while entertaining a particular plan. – A rebuke from a trusted friend received independently from other cues. – Unexpected barriers that arise only after prayer for guidance. – Stories of judgment in Scripture brought freshly to mind (1 Corinthians 10:11). Practical Checkpoints for Discernment • Scriptural agreement: God never contradicts Himself. • Moral clarity: the warning exposes sin or compromise. • Christ-exalting: the focus remains on obedience to Jesus, not self-preservation. • Fruit test: genuine warnings produce repentance, not despair (2 Corinthians 7:10 principle). • Peace after surrender: once obeyed, the conscience is quieted (Colossians 3:15 nuance). Responding When the Roar Is Heard 1. Stop: cease the questionable action or attitude. 2. Search: examine heart and behavior in the light of Scripture. 3. Confess: agree with God about the sin (Proverbs 28:13). 4. Turn: adopt the opposite course—obedience. 5. Act promptly: delayed obedience deepens discipline (Hebrews 12:11). 6. Remain teachable: warnings today build future discernment. From Warning to Blessing God’s alarms aim at rescue, not ruin. When His children heed the roar, fellowship is restored, unnecessary pain is avoided, and “the peaceful fruit of righteousness” becomes their portion (Hebrews 12:11). |
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