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APOSTOLIC VINTAGE: DISCERNING AMONG THE MANY VOICES
(C)2009 Taveau D’Arcy Creative Leadership All copyrights reserved
“There are many voices in the world, and each one has significance.”
I Corinthians 14: 10
NOTE SELAH: This may be viewed as as kernel Bible overview which may provoke new thinking which may be used with children, teenagers through adult
APOSTOLIC LEADER DISCERNMENT TRAINING 101
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5: 14
The Bible teachers that “There are many voices in the world, and each on has significance.”(I Corinthians 14: 10).
This means that ever single word or suggestion we hear or feel, actually means something. Now don’t start feeling all spooked out or weird. That is not from God (scroll down to see James 3: 17)
Yet, Hebrews 5: 14 says that it takes practice to learn how to discern what is evil from what is good.
If the Bible tell us that we need to grow in discernment by practicing using our God given Holy Spirit gift of discernment of spirits (I Corinthians 12: 10) then this means that God never demands that we are 100 per cent perfect in discernment.
However, the Bible does say that it needs to be used, which means practiced and even trained. Although one can mature and grow in this Holy Spirit gift, ultimately we are not able to “achieve” being an accurate discerner. God, training, prayer and trial and mistakes DEVELOP the gift of discernment.
Learning to accurately discern which is the True Voice coming from the Living Shepherd, is a life long process. And it is like riding a horse: if you fall of, then just repent, but get back up on it again.
THERE ARE MANY VOICES IN THE WORLD
Here is an incomplete sampling of many of the voices we hear in modern life:
1. Our own voice
2. Father God’s Voice: the inward witness of God’s Holy Spirit
3. Our thoughts, ideas
4.Voices of family and friends, peers, fellow workers, authorities
5.Voices on cell phones, computers, CD’s, MP3s, ITunes, Ipods, radio, DVDs, movies, Video, Video Games, any Audio
6. Nightly News
7. Dreams, visions, intuition
8. Feelings
9. Words of advice
10. Written words: blogs, books, websites, letters
11. Words from a prophet , senior pastor, Christian leader, TV minister, (or secular messages by secular media persons)
12. The voices of government, civil authorities
SO HOW DO WE DECIDE which voice is one that represents something Godly in our lives?
If we are listening to a word of prophecy or advice or even a message from a Christian leader, on TV or in church. HOW do we really tell if that word is TRULY SENT from the Living God?
First, it really pays to know Scriptures which tell us that God wants us to discern when He is guiding us. As we said, this takes many years of practice, but you first begin by meditating on the Scriptures and claiming them in faith for you God given ability to hear accurately from God.
BIBLE SCRIPTURES TO START TO BELIEVE, TO CLAIM AND TO CONFESS ALOUD
Ask God to sharpen your ability to discern right from wrong, and ask Him for the gift of discernment of spirits listed in I Corinthians 12: 1-10 (discernment is listed in v. 10)
“ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.’ James 3: 17
“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” I Timothy 1:7
“… the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. I Kings 19:12
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: “ John 10:27
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.’ Psalm 37: 23
“Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: Hebrews 3:7-8 *
*(I put this verse since it lets us know that when we choose to ignore the voice of the Holy Spirit, our hearts will grow hard until it makes discerning what HE is trying to tell us impossible to hear.)
Yielded in Selah respectful usual form.
(C) 2018 DFW Leader Ministry Fellowship
