7 Ways to Test God’s Voice

Selected Scripture

Introduction:

Nothing is as important as knowing and recognizing God’s voice because until you can recognize THE VOICE you can’t have a relationship that is attached to God. If all you do is talk to him in prayer and you never hear God speak to you, that’s a one-way relationship and that isn’t very productive. One of the most incredible truths in the entire world is that God wants to talk to us.

Seven Tests or Filters to Discern God’s Voice:

1. Does it agree with the Bible?

Luke 21:33 (NKJV) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.

1. Does this make me more like Christ?

Philippians 2:5 (NKJV) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NKJV) Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

James 3:14-17 (NKJV) ¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. ¹⁶ For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

1. Does my church family confirm this?

Ephesians 3:10 (NKJV) To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.

Proverbs 11:9 (NLT) With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous.

Proverbs 11:10 (NLT) The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the wicked die.

Proverbs 11:14 (NKJV) Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

1. Is it consistent with my spiritual gifts?

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Romans 12:6 (NKJV) Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith.

1. The fifth test: does it concern my responsibility?

John 21:20-22 (NLT) ²⁰ Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” ²¹ Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” ²² Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

1. Is it convicting rather than condemning?

Romans 8:1 (NKJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Revelation 12:10 (NKJV) Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

1. Do I sense God’s peace about it?

1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV) For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:15-16 (NKJV) ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Proverbs 22:17 (NLT) Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.