Deuteronomy 32:12
“The LORD alone guided him, And there was no foreign god with him.”
The last entry focused on how to tell if something in our lives is an idol. Anything can go from a positive to a negative and then back again. It’s all on how we view God and the place we give Him. It was further mentioned that the Lord guides us with thoughts and impressions as we go throughout our day. How we respond to these determines if we trust Him in particular matters.
Not all of these thoughts are from God. We can test them. One test is “does the thought condemn (shame) us?” If so, it’s not of God. If it is then we or the devil has corrupted it. Romans 8:1 says that He doesn’t condemn us. “Is the action or thought weird?” He won’t embarrass us or force His ways. Luke 11:13 says He goes to those who ask for Him.
The most important test is “is the thought consistent with scripture?” The Lord will never violate His revealed Word. Many in our culture challenge this. We may even like and respect them. The shifting winds of culture always change. The Bible remains. It’s been said that the Bible is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.
Our view of God is important as we attempt to discern these thoughts. The above tests indicate that. God won’t force us or embarrass us. Some may have grown up with harsh influences. This becomes their inner voice. These individuals are hard on themselves, so it makes sense that they would assume God would be, as well.
It takes times for us to know the Lord. As we walk with the Him and are in His Word we learn that He is gentle. Isaiah 40:11 says, “Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.”
His voice is refreshing and easy to listen to. Yielding to it provides great blessing and keep things properly prioritized in our lives. It keeps us from turning things to idols.
Lord, thank You for Your voice. Help us to know and yield to it. Keep us from idols.