Sara986 said:
So I have a question that has always bothered me. How do you know if the devil is attacking you, or if it is God trying to discourage you from something that could be harmful? I have been praying about a certain tricky situation where I'm not sure what is right and what is wrong...there are a lot of gray areas. I have been searching the Bible and praying for wisdom and talking with my best friend who is my accountability partner. I know that God promises to give wisdom to those who ask for it. Usually I always am encouraged after I read the Word and pray about it, but there are also times that I feel really discouraged and fearful about the situation and I'm scared that I'm taking the wrong steps. I'm not sure if this is the devil trying to discourage me from the right thing, or if it is God trying to tell me that I'm doing the wrong thing. Is there a sure way to tell if it is God speaking, or the devil? Because I know that Satan sometimes "masquerades as an angel of light." 2 Cor 11:14
Hi Sara986 , and all ,
Yea , your concern is warranted .
The general rule is - " when in faith do : when in doubt don't . "
Yet , how often is our assurance tainted by some uncertainty , especially prior to experiencing the fruit , or consequences , of a particular decision , or course of action .
Since the goal is to become intimately familiar with the " voice of The Lord " , and the nature of His leading ; it stands to reason that we should exercise our faith primarily with those things which have most clearly be made known unto us as being God's good and perfect will for us .
If we consistently apply our gift of faith to that which has been made plain unto us , the things which are not yet clear , will be revealed unto us , by and due to the spiritual growth and confirmations which occur while being vigilant and responsive with what we are most assured of .
It is as though The Lord has a list of things which need to be addressed in our life ... and we progress the best ... when our focus is upon the same item / detail which The Lord is highlighting by His Spirit .
It's overly simplistic to think God's leading is always one way and Satan's always the opposite .
From the little experience given with both , it's more a case of God encompassing all extremes and wondrously bringing them into a miraculous harmony together in the manifesting of the beauty of Perfection .
See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. <-----> Deuteronomy 32:39
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. <-----> Isaiah 45:7
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God ... <---> Romans 11:22
While Satan being less capable , does the hopscotch back and forth from one extreme to the other .
Because whenever one strays from the honest truth , in one direction , there is a compulsion to try and compensate for that deviation , by straying as much again in an opposite direction : for no one seeking to influence others , wants to appear as being a bold faced liar .
This principle manifests when one reaches for justification to defend questionable deeds ; or when specific efforts are made to impress another / others of things which are not otherwise self-evident for the sake of some self-seeking agenda -contrary to giving God the glory which is rightly due .
In Genesis Ch. 3 - Satan incorrectly proclaims that humans are not subject to evil consequence while disobeying God.
Then in Job Ch. 1 - He asserts that even obedience to God should not yield protection from evil consequence .
On both counts he strays from the truth .
First in an inordinately optimistic way . ( No evil could possibly befall you , 'cause God loves you . )
And then in an exagerated pessimistic manner . ( Protection from evil is inappropriate , for man cannot be tested properly while secure in this life . )
Both have a little truth , but on their own they form a lie .
The truth is that because God loves us he allows us to suffer , if and when , that's what is necessary for our spiritual growth and development ; which holds the promise of completion , and the end of all suffering and misery ; through our being brought into harmony with the will and the way of God's Heavenly Kingdom . Outside of that Blessed Harmony there is torment ; but inside that Glorious Peace there is perfect healing and everlasting joy .
In summarization :
Concetrate on the aspects of God's Kingdom which have been made plain , and all others will be revealed in their proper time .
Recognize that The Lord is constant , and over all , able to ultimately utilize all things for God's glory , and for everlasting good .
But the Devil is bound to be contradicting , either over emphasizing , or under emphasizing an issue , with the propensity to vacillate back and forth .
Like presenting God's will as though we can do whatever we carnally please without consequence .
Or that The Lord's will is so strict and demanding that we cannot possibly live in harmony with Him .
Either way , the nature of these emphases is one which tries to discourage genuine faith and repentance .
Discernment is a gift of The Spirit .
What is discerned , is the spirit of something , or the spirit behind something .
The fruit , or form of expression , which something gives substance to , serves as confirmation of the nature of the spirit which sowed the inspiration behind the motivation which prompted the act .
Source = spirit > inspiration > motivation > action > consequence > confirmation > acknowledgement > spirit > Source .
To whom does the glory go to ?
All flesh is spirit driven .
And things return from whence they came .
It's a matter of knowing our source & thereby choosing the Right Source .
The Right Source > The Right Inspiration > The Right Motivation ... etc .
But the wrong source > wrong inspirtion > wrong motivation ... etc.
We practice choosing well with small things , to prepare for choosing well in great matters .
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. <-----> 1st Corinthians 12:7-11
[And]...
Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required ... <---> From Luke 12:48
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
Though freely given , the gifts of The Spirit require our attention & devotion , for The Lord's will to be done in our lives .
Also consider what your weaknesses / vulnerabilities are , and know that the Devil will approach with one extreme or another , to entice or intimidate .
But The Lord speaks with unique majesty .
Below are a couple of links to similar discussions from a while ago .
1.
Listening To God
2.
God's Voice ?
May The Lord be Pleased To Bless .
wm
