Lately I’ve been having this desire for something; something that I’m not sure if it’s God revealing something that He wants me to do or just something that I want to do. And that’s where the uncertainty of the matter comes in. If it’s something that God wants me to do, then I know that I should do it. If it’s just something that I want to do and it’s not part of what God’s will is, then I shouldn’t do it. I’m trying to schedule a time to pray about this subject with two people I’m close with to discern if this is God or me. In fact, this looks like a good time to look at how to tell if something, (an idea, thought, whatever), is from God or not. There are four key areas to discerning if something is from God.

Is it scriptural?
Does the Word of God back up, or support the idea that is being presented? Sometimes this question is easier to answer than others. For example, if I thought God was wanting me to take something from someone else, would that be a Biblically based thing to do? No! Because most everyone will recall one of the Ten Commandments was to not steal. And this idea goes directly against that. The result = not from God.

Does it bear fruit?
Is the thing on the table a one-time-hooplah that’s not going to have any impact on things in the future? Then it’s not from God. God works all things together for His plan and His glory, and if the idea at hand isn’t going to be part of God’s plan, then do you think it’s really His idea?

Who does it glorify?
This one is pretty straight forward. If what’s being discerned glorifies or points to anyone outside of God, then it’s not from God. God is God, and He is the only one who is worthy of glory. Enough said.

Is it affirmed by other believers?
This is, in my opinion – I could be wrong, the most important step in discerning if something is from God. I believe this for two reasons. Not only does it put to the test if something is from God or not, often by looking back at the previous three steps. This also is the point where it’s generally discerned if this is a good idea or a God idea. There are plenty of ideas and visions out there that are scripturally based, that glorify God, and that would bear fruit, but if it’s not what God has planned, then it’s not something that should be carried out.

As for my own idea that I’m not sure if it’s from God or not, if it’s affirmed then I’ll share about it, but to avoid any unnecessary buzz, I’m going to try to stay pretty quiet about it.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 at 10:23 pm and is filed under A Day in the Life. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.