In her book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God, Lysa Terkeurst suggests there are five key questions we should ask our self when we wonder, Is what I’m hearing from God?

1. Does what I’m hearing line up with Scripture?
2. Is it consistent with God’s character?
3. Is it being confirmed through messages I’m hearing at church or studying in my quiet time?
4. Is it beyond me?
5. Would it please God?

Does what I’m hearing line up with Scripture?

God will not tell us to do something that contradicts his Word. That sounds easy enough, but if we aren’t spending time reading and studying God’s Word, how will we be able to discern if what we’re hearing lines up with what God said? We have to know what the Scriptures say. Knowing the Scriptures doesn’t necessarily mean memorizing chapter and verse, it means reading the Bible for our self. As we read, ask what it says to us. Ask what it says about God.

Is it consistent with God’s character?

God won’t tell us to do anything that doesn’t line up with who he is. A good starting point into God’s character is the list of the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23. The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Is it being confirmed?

My cousin William always told me to look for three confirmations whenever I wonder how to proceed in something I feel God is saying to me. Yesterday, a verse of Scripture I read in my Sunday school lesson earlier that week popped up in four separate unconnected things I read. You think God’s trying to tell me something? I sure do. Now I need to figure out exactly what.

Is it beyond me?

Do we sense God is calling us to do something beyond our ability? Something we can only accomplish through his strength? If so, this is an opportunity to watch him work through us. Think Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt to the Promised Land. That was way beyond Moses’ ability to be sure.

Would it please God?

For this final question, I like how Lysa puts it. You see, if what you are doing pleases God, then even if what you thought you heard from him wasn’t his voice, you still please him. Pause and read that sentence again. As long as what we do pleases God, it’s all good, right?

In conclusion to Lysa’s list she adds, These five questions are your starting place. The more you practice listening for God’s voice, the more it becomes a natural part of your daily life. God wants you to hear from him.

How marvelous is that? The Creator God who spoke the world into being and knit us together in our mother’s womb wants a personal relationship with us. He wants us to hear when he speaks to us. He wants us to know we are loved, and know that his perfect love casts out all fear. Even the fear of stepping out in faith to do what he calls us to do.

Are there any of Lysa’s key questions you go to first when deciding if what you’re hearing is from God?

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But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless. Galatians 5:22-23 (TPT)

You can find my November Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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