If you've had an encounter with a being, how do you know that that being is "God" and not someone/something else? What is the criteria you use to determine if said being is, in fact, the omnipotent creator and not a lessor creature (though still of some power) or your own imagination/delusion?
(I imagine, depending on the response, that this question is relatively open-ended.)
If you've had an encounter with a being, how do you know that that being is "God" and not someone/something else? What is the criteria you use to determine if said being is, in fact, the omnipotent creator and not a lessor creature (though still of some power) or your own imagination/delusion?
(I imagine, depending on the response, that this question is relatively open-ended.)
Daniel
The main criteria for baptised Christians is the location from which the being speaks. If it is God, He will speak in the heart through the Holy Spirit. If it is not God, the "voice" will come from without.
A secondary criteria is that God's "voice" brings clarity and peace; other "voices" bring only discord, fear, and confusion.
A BROTHER/FRIEND/SLAVE OF CHRIST,
ephraim
__________________
Lo, i have gathered up all of my thoughts and cannot recall anything good before Thee . . .
except the fact that i know no other God than Thee. --Saint Ephraim the Syrian LORD JESUS CHRIST, HUMBLE LAMB OF GOD, have mercy on me, an arrogant sinner!
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The main criteria for baptised Christians is the location from which the being speaks. If it is God, He will speak in the heart through the Holy Spirit. If it is not God, the "voice" will come from without.
How, then, does one distinguish between a voice in the "heart through the Holy Spirit" vs. one that is from "without"?
A secondary criteria is that God's "voice" brings clarity and peace; other "voices" bring only discord, fear, and confusion.
How, then, does one distinguish between a voice in the "heart through the Holy Spirit" vs. one that is from "without"?
There are many different "screening techniques" i have heard from others. The two i use--which are not foolproof but are mostly successful for me--are, as mentioned before, a sense of clarity and peace in the Holy Spirit's communications in contrast to a sense of confusion and anxiety from external communications.
The second thing i have learned to look for are the presence of tears which almost always accompany the Holy Spirit's work in me and are unique to Him.
i still misread a lot of communiques and mistake their sources, but that, too, is a learning experience--a process--at which one gets better over time as they become more sensive to the Spirit's leading and to the Adversary's MISleading whispers. Unfortunately, i tend to be a slow learner--but it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks.
i hope the above wasn't too confusing!
CHRIST'S BROTHER AND BOND-SLAVE,
ephraim
__________________
Lo, i have gathered up all of my thoughts and cannot recall anything good before Thee . . .
except the fact that i know no other God than Thee. --Saint Ephraim the Syrian LORD JESUS CHRIST, HUMBLE LAMB OF GOD, have mercy on me, an arrogant sinner!
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How, then, does one distinguish between a voice in the "heart through the Holy Spirit" vs. one that is from "without"?
The words from the Holy Spirit will not ever contradict what has been written in scripture..
Ex..
God will never tell you to start a religious system belief using different criteria than what is already written.. Also, most of what is communicated is through existing scripture. Like: "should I go to this church or that one?" See what scripture says in relevance to what that specific churches doctrine preaches, and allow God to speak to you through his word..
The best description I ever heard was "You just know it in your knower."
Forgive me, Father, but i believe my "knower" must be broken because i get fooled--a lot.
IN CHRIST,
ephraim
__________________
Lo, i have gathered up all of my thoughts and cannot recall anything good before Thee . . .
except the fact that i know no other God than Thee. --Saint Ephraim the Syrian LORD JESUS CHRIST, HUMBLE LAMB OF GOD, have mercy on me, an arrogant sinner!
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John 6:46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father.
Next, the more you read God's word and reason on the scriptures you will begin to hear the word of God. A contrite heart pleases God and he will reveal himself.
Matthew 13:9,14,15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. [Their] ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with [their] eyes and hear with [their] ears, Lest they should understand with [their] hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.'
Psalm 73:28 But [it is] good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.
James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [you] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [you] double-minded.
Ephraimanesti is correct because once you gain an understanding of God you will become overwhelmed and tears of joy will spill forth.
Prayer is also important.
Praying that God's wisdom manifests itself in your mind, heart and spirit. Through the healing hands of Jesus Christ. Amen!!!
__________________ All God's Blessings.
Chosenpath
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2 Samuel 22:17 “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters".
The words from the Holy Spirit will not ever contradict what has been written in scripture..
Ex..
God will never tell you to start a religious system belief using different criteria than what is already written.. Also, most of what is communicated is through existing scripture. Like: "should I go to this church or that one?" See what scripture says in relevance to what that specific churches doctrine preaches, and allow God to speak to you through his word..
What of questions you have regarding Scripture, and apparent contradictions? How do you receive guidance from the Holy Spirit to resolve these?
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