April 30, 2008
God’s Voice or The World’s Voice
Part 3
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
Friend to Friend
Yesterday we looked at trying to discern God’s voice from the world’s voice. Let’s pick up where we left off with some wise words from Paul.
“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began...We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words” (1 Corinthians 2:6-13).
Yes, we have to live in the world, but we are not to be conformed to the world. That’s very difficult at times. I think that was one of the main themes of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples before He went to the cross. All through John chapters 14-17, Jesus prays for us to be in the world but not tainted or persuaded by world systems and ideas. Here are a few differences.
• The world says take inventory of your strengths.
• God’s voice says when you are weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
• The world says get all you can.
• God’s voice says give to everyone who asks. (Matthew 6:30)
• The world says claim your rights.
• God’s voice says give up your rights. (Philippians 2:5-11)
• The world says avoid pain at all cost.
• God’s voice say take up your cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)
• The world says only the strong survive.
• God’s voice says only those who depend on Me will thrive. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• The world makes decisions based on common sense.
• God’s voice tells us to make decisions based on His Word. (Psalm 119:105)
• The world says this is as good as it gets.
• God’s voice gives us the promise of heaven. (John 3:16)
• The world says seek happiness in your circumstances.
• God’s voice says seek joy despite your circumstances. (James 1:2-4)
• The world says divorce if marriage gets difficult.
• God says what He has joined, no man should separate. (Mark 10:9)
Some of the mostly worldly people during the time of Christ were the Romans. Paul wrote to the church in Rome, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2). The only way to distinguish between the world’s voice and God’s voice is….you guessed it…by developing a personal on-going intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and knowing the truth found in God’s Word.
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit who reveals all truth. Help us to be so in-tune with You that we can tell if we are listening to the world or to the truth of Your Word. Help us to recognize the lies, reject the lies, and replace the lies with truth.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Now It’s Your Turn
Go back up to the list comparing the world and the Word. Are there any of the world’s deceptions that you have believed?
Is there anything in your life you need to change because you realize you’ve been listening to the wrong voice?
More from the Girlfriends
If you would like to learn more about how to tell if the voice you are hearing is from the world, the flesh, or the devil - or from God, then you’ll want to read Becoming a Woman who Listens to God. In it, Sharon looks at how God speaks today, the counterfeits and imposters, and the barriers and bridges to hearing God’s voice.
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Girlfriends in God, Inc.
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, North Carolina 28106
Web site: www.girlfriendsingod.com
Email: info@girlfriendsingod.com
Originally published Wednesday, 30 April 2008.
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