WHEN THE ENEMY SPEAKS

By Graham Bauer

SCRIPTURE

John 18:37"...everyone that is of the truth hears my voice"

INTRODUCTION

All of us at some time or another ask God for guidance.
We go nuts sometimes wondering if we are right or wrong, should I or should I not, yes or no?
We can come into great torment.
Was that vision from God or not?
We have two enemies to hearing from God - (1) The flesh and (2) The Devil

[A] WHEN THE FLESH OR SELF SPEAKS

When the flesh speaks the following are evident...

(1) HESITATION

ROMANS 8:26-27

We are unsure what to pray for or how
The Holy Spirit helps us to pray and intercedes for us.1 Corinthians 14:14-15

(2) DECEPTION

HEBREWS 5:12

growing

God has a SOVEREIGN WILL = God's secret plan that determines all that happens in the universe.
God has a MORAL WILL = God's revealed commands in the Bible that teach how men ought to believe and live.
God has an INDIVIDUAL WILL = God's ideal, detailed life-plan uniquely designed for each person.

(3) DOUBLE MINDEDNESS

JAMES 1:8

Double mindedness makes us unstable in all things all of the time. The habit of BEING INDECISIVE.
Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek God and his kingdom first and then all these other things will be added to us.

(4) UNREGENERATE DESIRES

JAMES 1:13-16

Some people will do what THEY WANT and not what GOD WANTS.

They cant blame God - he does not tempt us.
They can't blame the devil - he is not involved.
They can't blame themselves - because they are guilty. They LIKE their sin, their own way, their own desires but it leads to death

[B] WHEN THE DEVIL SPEAKS

When the devil speaks the following are evident...

(1) CONFUSION - UNCERTAINTY

1CORINTHIANS 14:33

God does not sow confusion but peace.
2Corinthians 5:7 We must walk by faith and not by sight i.e.

Going without all the facts
Going without absolute clarity - the step of faith and Psalm 37:23-28 says that the steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord.

If we stay within his moral will (the Bible) we will stay secure. We will not stumble in the dark.

(2) DENIAL OF CHRIST'S LORDSHIP

1JOHN 4:1-6

We must try the spirits that come to us with the Word.
Not all prophets are speaking God's word as some speak a convenient word.
Weigh all words up against scripture and the prophet against his testimony of as Lord and Christ.

(3) NEGATION OF THE LORD'S COMMANDS

Satan comes to snatch away the Word...least we believe.
He twists scripture as in - Genesis 3:4 to Eve and Luke 4:10 to Jesus
All we do, say and decide must be in line with God's moral will

(4) DOUBT, FEAR, DISCOMFIT AND DISCOURAGEMENT

ROMANS 8:1

Satan condemns us when we walk after the flesh

He brings up old sins that have been forgiven.
He tells us that we are not good enough
He tells us lies like God blesses everyone but us.
He tells us lies like God gives everyone else words, visions etc but not me.

[C] WHEN JESUS SPEAKS

When Jesus speaks the following are evident....

(1) CONFIRMATION

2CORINTHIANS 13:1

God establishes his Word by many witnesses - but try the spirits 1John 4:1-6, know the validity of the prophet, know the accuracy of others.

(2) CLARITY

2CORINTHIANS 1:20-22

God's promises are YEAH and AMEN!

(3) AGREEMENT WITH THE WORD

2PETER 1:19-21

God's word is given by his divine inspiration.

Every word given by God will line up with scripture.
God never speaks to you something that's contrary to scripture.

(4) PEACE

JOHN 14:27

We have a peace after the Spirit has spoken or guided us in the way. It passes all understanding.

(5) We have an inward knowing

1CORINTHIANS 2:12-13

God's Spirit gives us an inner knowing. Not sense knowledge but spiritually discerned.

CLOSE

If you don't have a YEAH YEAH but have doubt, confusion and discomfit then you are listening to the wrong voice.
Jesus is gentle and peaceful as he speaks to your spirit.
Remember the "Still small voice"
Learn to listen to Jesus, to the Holy Spirit.
He will keep your feet on the right path.

SALVATION and ALTAR CALL FOR PRAYER TO DISCERN.

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