We all can give advice based on our opinions, experience, and our perspective of the truth. But should we? We have to be careful when we are receiving or giving advice. Is this advice coming from the voice of God? Is it coming from the Word of God? Did you consult with the Holy Spirit? We must understand that in the New Covenant, it is all about hearing the voice of the resurrected Son of God.
As His children, God said we should know His voice. Why does the Father want us to hear only the Lord Jesus? Hearing God speak is a blessing we receive as his children! The voice of God will give us direction. When He speaks, we will receive an answer to something we have asked, or a request we didn’t even know we needed. When God speaks to us, we will gain clarity. Why is it important we focus on hearing the Holy Spirit and being led by Him? Because we grow in the knowledge of His grace. Because neither this world or the prophets of the Old Testament hold the answer to our deepest cry for intimacy and peace with God, or the enjoyment of His presence and power in every area of our lives. Only Jesus can do that. His way is the only way out of darkness. His voice is the only truth.We can learn from Moses and Elijah, who did mighty things through God, but both great men of God still fell short in the end. Toward the end of his life, Moses hit the rock twice in disobedience, and yelled at the people out of anger and impatience. Despite his years of service, Moses’s disobedience kept him from entering the promised land. (Numbers 20). Why were the consequences of Moses’s actions so severe? Because he misrepresented God. He did what he wanted not what God told him to do. In his anger, he represented God as angry and judgmental toward His people, when God actually loved and cared for them. This tells us that as children of God, we must seek the voice of God and then obey what we hear. When we give advice it should come from a place of love and always be based on God’s Word, not our opinions or emotions. Moses teaches us that we need to be very accurate in how we represent God. And what about Elijah? Despite amazing victories and evidence of the power of God in his ministry, in his last days, Elijah thought Jezebel was greater than God and fled from her. After all he saw God do, he still lost faith and became discouraged. (1 Kings 19). We learn from Elijah to not lose faith or get discouraged. We know God is greater than any circumstance or situation. When we seek spiritual advice from a friend or spiritual leader, we must make sure that person is in tuned with God and is given you God’s truth and not just their truth.
We can learn from Moses and Elijah, who did mighty things through God, but both great men of God still fell short in the end. Toward the end of his life, Moses hit the rock twice in disobedience, and yelled at the people out of anger and impatience. Despite his years of service, Moses’s disobedience kept him from entering the promised land. (Numbers 20). Why were the consequences of Moses’s actions so severe? Because he misrepresented God. He did what he wanted not what God told him to do. In his anger, he represented God as angry and judgmental toward His people, when God actually loved and cared for them. This tells us that as children of God, we must seek the voice of God and then obey what we hear. When we give advice it should come from a place of love and always be based on God’s Word, not our opinions or emotions. Moses teaches us that we need to be very accurate in how we represent God. And what about Elijah? Despite amazing victories and evidence of the power of God in his ministry, in his last days, Elijah thought Jezebel was greater than God and fled from her. After all he saw God do, he still lost faith and became discouraged. (1 Kings 19). We learn from Elijah to not lose faith or get discouraged. We know God is greater than any circumstance or situation. When we seek spiritual advice from a friend or spiritual leader, we must make sure that person is in tuned with God and is given you God’s truth and not their truth.
Sometimes we may not want to hear godly advice. We want to hear what we want to hear, to make us feel better or to feel justified. And it may help us feel better temporary, but when we receive the truth as it comes from God, we are forever set free. God’s truth will set you free! Love and Blessings…
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” (Ephesians 4:15)
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27)
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:16)
“We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” (1John 4:6)
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippines 4:8)
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:33)
EMMANUEL 