God's voice or My voice?
Q: What is the best way to distinguish God’s voice vs your own voice/not His voice?
I struggle to know if my little voice in my head is of God or me. I fear that I am claiming a voice to be God’s when it’s not, or brushing off His voice as incorrect due to fear, disbelief, etc.
What does Scripture tells us on this, or how to hear His voice more clearly? Also, I wish I could understand more when some say “God told me x, y, z…”
A: These are good questions and these videos snd resources can help.
As to people claiming God speaks to them audibly, in signs or visions etc...
Comment:
I had a grandmother who was severely mentally ill who would do this, and my parents are also guilty of doing this. I have never seen an adult do this who was not trying to be manipulative. This behavior is not of God, and having watched it my whole life I do not believe that God tells people how long to stay places, whether or not they should help someone out, or to not answer the phone. God is not a manipulator, nor do I believe the bible supports the idea that he's standing behind someone telling them each action to take throughout their life and each decision no matter how small and low stakes. I 100% have never encountered a person who did this who was not using it as a way to be manipulative and controlling of themselves and the people/situations around them. My Grandmother tied everything she did to God so when she told you that her horrible actions were what "God" told her to do, it was a way to silence you because...well if God said so. When she told us no as children, rather than just letting it be a no she acted like God was a magic 8 ball and she would be really quiet "praying" and then tell us no because God said so. The truth was she said no and had her reasons, she chose to be dishonest about that instead of truthful about her reasons why. Good and Godly children didn't question her. Mind you she also did this with 0 stakes situations and also told us that God told her what to wear in the morning, what to eat, what to watch on TV, every single little decision. This behavior is part of a larger manipulative scheme to never be responsible for ones actions....because God said so.
Satan is a master of manipulation, no amount of manipulating others and situations is Godly period. Understanding the difference between of influence and manipulation helps make the distinction. My Grandmother would not help my mother with childcare, but would help other family members with childcare because she favored their children and would tell my mother than she didn't do it because "God told her not to." Using God as a reason for poor and hurtful behavior is manipulative. My mother told me that she did not leave any dinner or food for me because there were others more in "need" than me that needed to be fed that night and she prioritized them because God told her to. There were other more low stakes instances of similar things happening--this is not a tactic that is used by normal Christians who are not manipulators. This is a tactic used by deceived people in order to justify ALL of their behavior in a way that makes them able to feel okay about their poor behavior, and also will make the other person back off of questioning it because it was from "God", (IE like I said to NEVER be responsible for your own actions which is not of God.)
This behavior is not of God, it is demonic and evil, the person doing it needs to be called out/taken to task by anyone who experiences it. Avoiding being honest about why you did things and telling others it's because "God" told you to so that you don't have to be honest about your motives goes against everything God teaches about honesty and the truth. People who claim God told them to dk something or thst Gid spoke to them... are liars.
1 John 2:4. Whoever says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
Matthew 7:22-23: "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
Revelation 21:8 lists liars as going to the eternal Lake of Fire.
John 8:44 refers to Satan as "the father of lies." And his children are liars after him in like manner.
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Colossians 3:9 instructs believers, "Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices."
2 Corinthians 8:21
21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Colossians 3:9
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
Ephesians 4:25
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
James 1:26
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
James 3:17
17 But 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.
Proverbs 21:3
3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
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