Bad advice
We saw that Haman was the recipient of bad advice and would have to face the consequences. Who do you look to for advice when you need counsel – and is it good advice? Do you choose your path based on ungodly advice from family, friends and professional counsellors?
Ps 1:1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly… (NKJV)
BAD ADVICE
Sources we shouldn’t look to for advice and guidance:
The godless media
The ancestors and sangomas
The saints and Mary
Secular psychologists
Ungodly friends and family
Astrology
Other forms of divination
Necromancy
BAD ADVICE
We noted that:
Advice that you want to hear is not always godly advice, even if the adviser claims it comes from God.
Sometimes the people who are viewed as “experts” can give bad advice.
Sometimes bad advice comes from those who are close to us, and who are well-meaning.
The majority are not always correct. So don’t take advice based on peer pressure.
Don’t take advice that is based on man’s worldly wisdom, rather than on Biblical principles.
James 3:15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
BAD ADVICE
Unlike Haman, Esther received good counsel from Mordecai.
To her credit Esther took advice:
even when she was in a position of privilege
even when it was advice she didn’t want to hear
GOOD ADVICE
God’s counsel
is good advice:
Psalm 73:24 (NASB) With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory.
We need to seek guidance and advice from God, who is “wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom” (Isa 28:29). He has promised us:
Ps 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
In Isaiah 9:6 Jesus is called the “Wonderful Counsellor” and in Isaiah 11:2 it says of him, “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.”
GOOD ADVICE
Can we hear from God?
Isa 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Rom 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Prov 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
But how does God speak and what does he say?
GOOD ADVICE
On rare occasions, it can be an audible voice: He spoke with Adam, Noah, Moses, Samuel, Job, Elijah, Isaiah and Jesus.
The Israelites heard God’s voice speaking from the
fire while at Mount Sinai (Deut 4:33) but were so afraid to hear God speak directly to them, that they requested Moses to act as a mediator (Ex 20:18-19).
1) AN AUDIBLE VOICE
Does God still speak with an audible voice?
God can do anything he wants to. However this is not very common. Why? Perhaps because God has ordained that those who come to him, do so in faith.
But most often God does not always speak with an audible voice. Why not?
In a book, Ed Gungor asks the question, “why would God hide?” and then considers the idea that this may be part of God’s plan:
Perhaps God hides because he has chosen to establish a relationship with humanity through the pathway of faith. 1
1 What Bothers Me Most about Christianity Honest Reflections from an Open-Minded Christ Follower
1) AN AUDIBLE VOICE
Angels: Our word ‘angel’ came from the Greek ‘angelos’ which simply meant ‘messenger’. Angels appeared to Abraham, Daniel, Mary, Hagar, Lot, Jacob, Balaam, Joshua, Gideon, Manoah, David, Elijah, Gad, the prophet Zechariah, the Bethlehem shepherds, Jesus, Mary Magdalene and her companions, the apostles, Peter, Philip, Cornelius, Paul, John and Zechariah (the father of John the Baptist).
2) ANGELS
Dreams and visions: Among those that God spoke to in dreams are Abimelech, Jacob, Laban, Joseph, Pharaoh and his chief cupbearer and chief baker, a Midianite soldier (Judges 7),
Nathan,
Solomon,
Nebuchad-
nezzar,
Daniel, the
Magi and
Mary’s
husband
Joseph.
3) DREAMS & VISIONS
God spoke in visions to Abraham, Jacob, Balaam, Iddo, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, the
prophet
Zechariah,
Ananias, Paul on
the road to
Damascus, Peter
in Joppa, John
on Patmos and
the first martyr Stephen.
3) DREAMS & VISIONS
I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. (Acts 8:56)
Be aware - Not everyone you share your dreams with will respond positively.
Gen 37:5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they
hated him
all the
more.
3) DREAMS & VISIONS
Often the full message or
vision is only apparent to
the particular person God
is addressing.
Paul heard an audible
voice on the way to
Damascus, but his
companions only heard
a sound (Acts 9).
Jesus and his disciples heard God’s voice speak from heaven, but the crowd said it had thundered, while others said an angel had spoken (John 12:28-29).
Daniel writes that he “was the only one who saw the vision; the men with me did not see it” (Dan 10:7).
Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?
3) DREAMS & VISIONS
But don’t think that dreams or visions from God are always pleasant; they are often deeply troubling. Job says:
“When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint, even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions” (Job 7:13-14).
We read of Pharaoh:
Gen 41:7-8 Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream. In the morning his mind was troubled…
When John has a vision of Jesus on Patmos, he writes:
Rev 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.
MIGHT BE TROUBLING
Two dreams of
Nebuchadnezzar
are recorded in
Daniel. See what
is said of both:
“I had a dream
that made me
afraid. As I
was lying in
my bed, the
images and
visions that
passed through my mind terrified me.” (Dan 4:5)
… Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. (Dan 2:1)
MIGHT BE TROUBLING
Daniel relates regarding his dreams and visions:
Daniel 7:15 “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me.”
Dan 8:27 I, Daniel, was exhausted and lay ill for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.
Dan 10:8 So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless.
Dan 10:16-17 I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I am helpless. How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”
MIGHT BE TROUBLING
Dreams and visions from God often use symbolism which requires interpretation.
Daniel needed Gabriel to interpret his vision (Daniel 8).
While both Joseph and Daniel were gifted in the interpretation of dreams, this is a gift from God.
Gen 41:15-16 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”
“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”
Daniel 1:17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
MAY USE SYMBOLISM
Many dreams or visions related in the Bible were given to unbelievers or those searching for God. Among them are:
Abimelech, the Philistine (Gen 20)
Laban, Jacob’s cheating father-in-law (Gen 31)
The pagan ruler, Pharaoh (Gen 41), along with his chief cupbearer and chief baker (Gen 40)
A Midianite soldier - an Israelite enemy (Judg 7)
Nebuchadnezzar - a pagan king (Dan 2)
The Magi astrologers (Matt 2)
Saul of Tarsus – at the time the persecutor of the Church (Acts 9)
3) DREAMS & VISIONS
Many Muslims today have been converted after having Jesus appear to them in a dream. CBN reports: “There is an end-time phenomenon that is happening through dreams and visions… He is going into the Muslim world and revealing, particularly, the last 24 hours of His life - how He died on the cross, which Islam does not teach - how He was raised from the dead, which Islam also does not teach – and how He is the Son of God, risen in power.” 1
This precise phenomenon was prophesied by the prophet Joel, quoted on the Day of Pentecost by Peter:
“In the last days… your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17)
1 http:// www1.cbn.com/ onlinediscipleship/ visions-of-jesus-stir-muslim-hearts quoting Christine Darg, author of “The Jesus Visions: Signs and Wonders in the Muslim World”
3) DREAMS & VISIONS
Sometimes God
will speak to us
with signs.
God spoke to the
Israelites with
the Urim and
Thummim, the lit
censor and the
rod that budded.
He spoke to
Gideon with the
fleece, to Balaam
with the donkey, to Hezekiah with the retrograde motion of the sundial, to Belshazzar with writing on a wall, and to the apostles with the casting of the lot (Acts 1).
4) SIGNS
God confirmed the message of Moses, Jesus and the apostles with signs.
Mark 16:20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
But at times, even signs are not sufficient on their own as a mark of God’s voice.
Matt 24:24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Rev 19:20 … the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.
4) SIGNS
Ex 7:10-11… Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian
magicians
also did the
same things
by their
secret arts:
4) SIGNS
Throughout the ages, God has spoken to men through his prophets.
But God has spoken most definitively through the ministry and life of his Son, Jesus.
Heb 1:1-2 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
Matt 17:5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
5) THE INCARNATION
Most often, God speaks through Scripture. This is through reading God’s word and listening to ministry that is centred on God’s Word.
2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Rom 16:25-26 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God…
6) SCRIPTURE
If you want to hear from God, make it a regular practice to read God’s Word and to ask him to speak to you through it.
6) SCRIPTURE
Read the Word. Consume the Word until it consumes you. Act on the Word.
-Smith Wigglesworth -
God speaks through other believers:
God spoke to David through the prophet Nathan who rebuked him when he sinned, and also promised him a son that would build the Temple.
Jehoshaphat
sought God’s
counsel by
requesting to
hear from the
true prophet of
God, Micaiah,
rather than the
men-pleasing
false prophets
(1 Kings 22).
7) OTHER BELIEVERS
Those who exercise the gifts of the word of knowledge, the word of wisdom and prophecy are used by God as his mouthpiece. But their words must be tested against Scripture (1 Thess 5:19-22, 1 Cor 14:29).
But besides spiritual gifts, God may just use the wisdom he has bestowed on godly friends, family, a teacher, or a pastor to give us sound advice. This may come in the form of a warning, a blessing, or an instruction.
Surely you have “heard” God speak to you through your Christian family members and friends as their words cut to your heart and remind you of God’s true priorities?
7) OTHER BELIEVERS
Paul tells Titus that older more mature believers should actively mentor and train younger believers:
Titus 2:2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
Paul writes that the older Christian women should “train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” (Titus 2:4-5)
7) OTHER BELIEVERS
God speaks through nature and his creation.
Rom 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse
Ps 19:1-4 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
8) NATURE
God speaks to us through music. We can be taught and admonished by music.
Col 3:16 (NASB) Let the word of Christ
richly dwell within you, with all wisdom
teaching and admonishing one
another with psalms and
hymns and spiritual
songs, singing with
thankfulness in your
hearts to God
Psalm 40:3 (NKJV) He
has put a new song in my
mouth—Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.
9) THROUGH MUSIC
We need to take time to meditate on God.
Ps 63:6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the
watches of the night.
God ‘speaks’ in our thoughts when
we meditate on him.
Psalm 16:7 I will
bless the LORD
who has
counselled me;
Indeed, my
mind instructs
me in the night.
10) OUR THOUGHTS
Yet sometimes God speaks and we miss it!
Job 33:14 (NASB) “Indeed God speaks once, Or twice, yet no one notices it.”
Why do we miss God’s voice?
We miss his voice because it is drowned out in the sea of other voices. The cacophony of sounds, like an orchestra tuning, obscures that still small voice. Stomachs growl their hunger, bosses bark their orders, and that insult from twenty years ago still shouts its condemnation. How do we learn to discern God’s voice? In meditation. Christian meditation trains our ears to distinguish God’s voice—that one instrument—amidst the orchestra of others. 1
1 http:// beliefsoftheheart.com/ 2014/ 07/ 15/ hearing-god-in-meditation
10) OUR THOUGHTS
God ‘speaks’ and guides through providence and circumstances. He providentially opens or closes doors as he steers us towards a particular course of action.
This is seen most clearly in the Book of Esther and in the life of Joseph, where God’s will is declared after a sequence of events, where his providence is clearly seen in hindsight.
11) CIRCUMSTANCES
Note the sequence of events here:
Acts 18:1-3 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his
11) CIRCUMSTANCES
wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.
This relationship between Paul, and Priscilla and Aquila became one of the most important strategic partnerships in the book of Acts. Yet it seemingly happened as a result of a sequence
of chance
circumstances.
But with God
there are no
accidents –
he works out
everything in
our lives
according to
his purpose
and plans.
11) CIRCUMSTANCES
Paul was prevented by
God from going to
certain areas. We’re
not told how the Spirit
prevented them, but
maybe it was through
circumstances.
Acts 16:6-7 Paul
and his companions
travelled
throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
11) CIRCUMSTANCES
Jesus said that God would speak to us and teach us through the Holy Spirit:
John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
How does God speak
through the Holy
Spirit if it is not an
audible voice?
You need to mind the
checks in your spirit
and listen to the
Spirit’s still, small
voice within you.
12) THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Spirit speaks to us
through our conscience,
helping to make the right
decision when we face
temptation.
Rom 9:9 I speak the
truth in Christ—I am
not lying, my
conscience confirms it
in the Holy Spirit.
Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. When we have no peace about something, it is a clear leading by the Spirit. This is what Paul means when he writes:
Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…
12) THE HOLY SPIRIT
Although prayer is primarily us speaking to God, rather than God speaking to us - when we pray, we become more sensitive to the leading of God.
As the distractions
fade and our focus
is centred on God
we become more
conscious of,
and receptive
to his voice.
13) PRAYER
So God does speak to us, and you can hear his voice in many different ways.
But you do need to be careful to confirm that you are hearing God’s voice and not another voice.
Our own flesh can also shout very loud particularly when it wants something badly.
And Satan is the “father of lies” (John 8:44) and a deceiver who masquerades as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14).
So how do I know if the voice is from
God, the flesh or the devil?
BUT IS IT FROM GOD?
It is by repeated practice that we gain experience in discerning whether we are hearing God, our flesh or Satan.
Heb 5:14 (ESV) But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Always look for confirmation:
“… every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Matt 18:16).
So if you are unclear as to whether you have heard from God, wait for the confirmation of a second witness.
BUT IS IT FROM GOD?
By testing (as with a word of knowledge, word of wisdom, or personal prophecy):
1 Thess 5:19-22 Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.
1 Cor 14:29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
In the 2nd century Tertullian speaks of a woman in the congregation, “whose lot it has been to be favoured with sundry gifts of revelation”. But these divine gifts did not go unchecked as Tertullian says, “All her communications are examined with the most scrupulous care in order that their truth may be probed.” 1
1 A Treatise on the Soul, ch. IX
TESTING
How do I “test” what I hear?
Does the life of the person relating the message bear witness to their supposed relationship with God?
Isa 28:7 And these also stagger from wine and reel from beer: Priests and prophets stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine; they reel from beer, they stagger when seeing visions, they stumble when rendering decisions.
Matt 7:15-16 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”
TESTING
If you want to know if a word is from God - test it. Does it have these characteristics? In James 3:17 we read that “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all…
pure; then
peace-loving,
considerate,
submissive,
full of mercy
and good fruit,
impartial,
and sincere.
free from sin, good or wholesome
not advocating strife or revenge
thinking of others
ready to submit to authority
compassion, pity, kindness
love, joy, peace, gentleness, etc…
does not treat you as a ‘special’ case
free from pretence or deceit
TESTING
God will never contradict himself. Does what you have heard line up with Scripture? E.g.
If you get a personal prophecy to divorce your wife and marry someone more spiritual – the message is not from God.
Murderers who claim that God told them to kill prostitutes have not heard from God.
God will not tell you to steal from your company, or to make money from criminal activities like selling drugs – so that you can pay a larger tithe (Obedience is better than sacrifice).
Advice from God should be in line with the character of
God revealed in Scripture. Let’s consider some examples.
TESTING
Moses heard God’s voice from a burning bush, expressing concern about the plight of his people.
I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians … (Ex 3:7-8)
CONCERN FOR SUFFERING
REASSURANCE
God’s still small voice was heard by the dejected Elijah at Horeb to reassure him he is not
the only believer
left (1 Ki 19).
Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.
Jacob is reassured in a vision that he must not be afraid to join Joseph in Egypt (Gen 46).
Paul is given reassurance as to the Lord’s protection:
Acts 18:9-10 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision:
REASSURANCE
Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.
Paul is given guidance in a dream as to his next mission target:
Acts 16:9
During the
night Paul
had a
vision of a
man of
Macedonia
standing
and
begging
him:
GUIDANCE
Come over to Macedonia and help us.
Joseph is reassured that he is to marry Mary (Matt 1).
Ananias is instructed in a vision to go to pray for Paul’s restoration of sight. Normally Ananias would not have gone to Paul, who was a known enemy of the church.
Paul too saw a vision of Ananias coming to pray for his healing (Acts 9).
Peter has a vision in Joppa, to prepare him to go with the men sent by Cornelius. Peter realises that God is showing him that he has accepted the Gentiles and so must Peter.
The dream of the Midianite soldier (Judges 7) confirms Gideon’s destiny to deliver Israel and encourages Gideon in his mission.
GUIDANCE
God’s call for service is heard by Isaiah (Isa 6:8).
See NOTE 3
A CALL TO SERVE
Whom shall I send?
I am sending you to them to open their eyes … so that they may receive forgiveness of sins …
Paul is called to preach in a vision on the road to Damascus (Acts 26:17-18).
God’s voice affirms that Jesus is the beloved Son of God to the people present at Jesus’ baptism (Matt 3:17) and transfiguration (Matt 17:5).
This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased
This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!
A TESTIMONY TO JESUS
Receipt of a promise:
In a vision, Abraham is promised an heir (Gen 15).
Jacob has a dream which confirms God’s covenant with him (Gen 28). God also gives him a dream where he receives advice which makes him prosper in his business (Gen 30).
Solomon has a dream where God offers to grant whatever request he may have. Solomon wisely requests wisdom in governing God’s people (1 Kings 3).
PROMISES
PROMISES
Through the prophet Nathan, God told David that his son
Solomon, would build the Temple
(2 Sam 7).
… tell my servant David, “… I will raise up your offspring to succeed you… and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name…”
God’s voice was heard by Job, when he pronounced his verdict on all the previous dialogue between Job and his friends regarding the reason for Job’s suffering. (Job 38)
And when Paul
repeatedly asks God
to remove his “thorn
in the flesh” God
tells him “My grace
is sufficient for you,
for my power is made
perfect in weakness.”
(2 Cor 12:9)
Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS
Warnings against sin:
Abimelech is kept from sinning against God by being warned in a dream that the woman he has designs on (Sarah) is already married (Gen 20).
Laban is warned in a
dream not to attempt
to prevent Jacob
from leaving (Gen 31).
The wife of Pontius
Pilate suffers much
in a dream about
Jesus and warns her
husband that Jesus
is innocent (Matt 27).
WARNINGS
See NOTE 4
Warnings for safety:
The Magi are warned in a dream (Matt 2) not to go back to Herod, and return to their country by another route.
Joseph is warned
to flee to Egypt
with Mary and
Jesus to escape
Herod’s murder
of the children of
Bethlehem. He is
also told later
that Herod has
died and warned
to avoid Judea
(Matt 2).
WARNINGS
Prophetic:
Joseph, the cupbearer
and baker, Pharaoh
have dreams regarding
future events in their
own lifetime.
Nebuchadnezzar
dreams of events in
the distant future.
Prophets like Balaam, Iddo, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum and Zechariah have dreams and visions revealing things to come.
The apostle John sees a prophetic vision of things which will happen in the end times.
PROPHETIC
Revelation of spiritual truth:
Paul was caught up to heaven and had mysteries revealed to him (1 Cor 12).
Peter has God
speak to him
through a vision
where he
receives the
spiritual truth
that the gospel
is to go to the
Gentiles as well
(Acts 10).
REVELATION
God speaks to the boy Samuel with a rebuke for Eli. (1 Sam 3:13)
For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them.
REBUKE FOR SIN
Is the message only always positive, never a rebuke?
Some people don’t want any word of rebuke from the Lord, they only want to hear positive affirmations which boost their self-esteem.
Jer 30:10 They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.”
2 Chron 18:6-7 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no longer a prophet of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?” The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”
NO REBUKES (EVER?)
This desire to only hear the blessing, but never the rebuke or admonition is something that characterises our age.
2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound
doctrine.
Instead, to
suit their own
desires, they
will gather
around them a
great number
of teachers to
say what their
itching ears
want to hear.
JUDGEMENT
God spoke with Adam, Eve and the serpent in Eden pronouncing judgement on their sin, but at the same time promising a redeemer for man – the seed of the woman (i.e. the Virgin birth of Jesus).
JUDGEMENT & PROMISE
And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel. (NASB)
He warned Noah how to escape
the coming judgement (Gen 6).
ESCAPING JUDGEMENT
I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So make yourself an ark of cypress wood…
Advice from God will not overlook or trivialise sin.
Lam 2:14 The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity. The oracles they gave you were false and misleading.
Jer 23:16-17 “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. They keep saying to those who despise me, ‘The LORD says: You will have peace.’ And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts they say, ‘No harm will come to you.’”
TRIVIALISE SIN
Ezek 22:27-30 Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain. Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign
LORD says’—when the LORD has not spoken. The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice.
TRIVIALISE SIN
But false advice like this, gives vain comfort.
Zech 10:2 … diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain.
Ezek 13:16 “… those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the Sovereign LORD.”
In the long run it is better to have truthful, Scripture-based advice.
Prov 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
BUT IS IT FROM GOD?
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice” (John 10:27). If we are Jesus’ sheep we should recognise his voice. He said further that, “… his sheep follow him because they know
his voice. But they will never follow a stranger;
in fact, they will run away from him
because they do not recognize
a stranger’s voice.”
(John 10:4-5)
BUT IS IT FROM GOD?
How do we become familiar with and gain the ability to recognise someone’s voice?
By spending time with them.
How do we
become
familiar with
and gain the
ability to
recognise
Jesus’ voice?
By spending
time with
him.
BUT IS IT FROM GOD?
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations are taken from the ESV:
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the NIV:
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations taken from the NASB:
New American Standard Bible®,
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission. ( Lockman.org)