By Teresa Shields Parker
“What does God want from me anyway? I really want to know. I feel like I’m doing everything wrong because I can’t fully recognize when it’s God’s voice, the enemy’s voice, or my own voice or desire. I know God wants us to have a personal relationship with Him that we show by loving Him, listening to Him, having faith in Him and being totally devoted to Him.
“I know that God tells us He will encourage our hearts and inspire us with strength to always do and speak what is good and beautiful in His eyes. God doesn’t want us to just be smart and intelligent. He wants a relationship with us that involves our hearts, souls, and minds. He wants us to love Him unconditionally. That’s because He has shown us that His love is unconditional.
“I know that when we worship Him, pray to Him, and live according to His will, we show that we are His. Jesus said in Mathew 22:37 TPT, ‘Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, will all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’”
“If we do this, we will begin to understand what God wants from us, at least, that’s how I see it,” Layne said still speaking to herself. “I think a big part of what He wants, or at least what He wants from me, is to understand when He’s speaking to me and what He wants from me. Can you help me, God, and tell me how I can understand when it’s You or when it is my enemy, so I can run away from him?”
Finally, Layne knew she needed to read what the scriptures were saying about God verses the devil. So, she sat down and began reading from Ephesians 6:10 TPT, which says, “Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with His explosive power flowing through you.”
“Oh,” Layne said, “I need to be strong. But I know it doesn’t mean strong like Billy Bear Man is strong. It also says to be infused with strength. To me that means to allow the mighty power of God to move me forward. If I am infused with something, then it is everywhere in me. But it doesn’t mean I can pick up 600 pounds. The strength this is talking about is inner strength of heart, mind, and soul. It’s all about how I think. Is that right, Lord?”
“Layne,” God said, “Yes, that’s right. Physical strength is different from mental and emotional strength. Neither of those require you to lift a 600-pound man who has fallen down the stairs. It takes mental strength to figure out the right equipment needed to lift him. And it takes emotional strength to make sure you treat him kindly during the process. Strength comes in many forms.”
Layne thought she might be going crazy. Did God really just talk to her?
“God? Did you just talk to me?”
“Yes, Layne I did. And for the first time you actually listened and answered,” God said. “Keep listening. I love when you listen because I can keep you from harm so much better when you listen.”
“I promise I will listen. I just don’t know much about this because ….” She stopped and cried tears of pain from times past.
“Yes, Layne. I know what has happened to you. But now that you have been rescued from that man who hates Me, I will be talking to you all the time, OK?”
“Of course.” Layne answered. “I just want to be sure it is You and not an impostor. How do I know it is You?”
“Alright, I will give you 10 ways to know if what you hear is My voice, the devil’s voice, or your own. First, though, let me give you some practical steps to always do before making a big decision. Read scripture. Pray and wait for God’s answer. Seek Godly counsel. And ask yourself does what I am hearing align with God’s character? All of these are necessary to go through when you are trying to understand Me and My Word.
“Here are the 10 ways to know if what you hear is My voice.
“1. I always speak though My Word, which is the Bible. What you read there is always from Me.
“2. I speak through circumstances. Circumstances are always changing, so be sure that you understand what I am trying to tell you. Many times, the enemy will try to make you believe that because of your circumstances, you need to do something you would never do. Stop and check your motives. Does it line up with scripture? Is it biblical?
“3. The evil one will always try to deceive and destroy you. It’s his reason for being here. If the voice you hear is telling you something that sounds like it is against all that you have been taught then, it probably is not God. Wait until you know for sure.
“4. God’s Word is God breathed, as it says in 2 Timothy 3:16 TPT and never contradicts itself. If a prompting leads you to do something that violates God’s commandments, it’s not from Him. Always compare it to Scripture to see if it aligns with God’s character and will.
“5. God’s voice brings peace, even in conviction. It leads to repentance and restoration, not despair. Satan’s voice is often loud, urgent, and filled with fear, guilt, and confusion.
“6. God always affirms your worth in Christ. Satan attacks your identity, by saying you’re unworthy or incapable. If the voice you hear makes you feel worthless or fearful, it is not from God.
“7. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, as it says in Galatians 5:22-23 ESV. If the prompting produces these qualities, it’s from God.
“8. Pray for both wisdom and clarity. Ask God to reveal His will clearly and be open to His “No” when it’s best.
“9. Our minds can generate a lot of things, like ideas, desires, and fears, to name a few. Ask yourself: Is this my thought mine? Or is it from scripture and the Spirit? Trust God, not yourself.
“10. Fear has no place in God’s will, God tells us this in 1 John 4:18 ESV when He says, “Perfect love casts out fear.” If the prompting is rooted in fear, it will be from the enemy.”
Layne knew that God’s desire was to lead her safely through what she saw as a crazy world filled with all of its fortresses, traps, and dangers. She knew that God would tell her and all of His people to put on His complete set of armor that He has already provided. She knew that God tells us that so we can be protected as we fight against the strategies of the accuser.
This is an excerpt from the soon to be released book, “Redefining Jayne: Stepping Into Purpose.
QUESTION: What is God saying to you today?
Teresa Shields Parker is a Christian weight loss author, coach, podcaster, and speaker, who has lost 250 pounds and kept it off since 2013. Her books include: “Reconnecting Jayne: Her Sister’s Support,” “Rebuilding Jayne: Her Father’s Protection,” “Sweet Grace: How I Lost 250 Pounds and Stopped Trying to Earn God’s Favor,” “Sweet Grace Study Guide,” “Sweet Victory: Winning the Battle,” “Sweet Surrender: Breaking Strongholds,” “Sweet Journey to Transformation: Practical Steps to Lose Weight and Live Healthy”, “Sweet Freedom: Losing Weight and Keeping It Off With God’s Help,” “Sweet Freedom Study Guide,” “Sweet Change: True Stories of Transformation,” “Sweet Hunger: Developing an Appetite for God,” and “Sweet Excuses: Stop Lying to Yourself & Start Losing Weight.” She also offers Overcomers Christian Weight Loss Academy and VIP intensive coaching. Don’t miss her weekly podcast, Sweet Grace for Your Journey, where she shares tips from her personal journey of losing weight and discovering healthy living. Contact her at [email protected].