Discerning God's Voice: A Heart Tuned to Wisdom

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Voice Always Aligns with His Word

God will never speak or lead in a way that contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture; His written word is the unchanging foundation and touchstone for discerning every impression, thought, or direction we sense in our hearts. When faced with decisions or inner promptings, the first and most important test is to ask: does this align with what God has already revealed in the Bible? If it does not, it is not from God, no matter how strong the feeling or how convincing the impression. God’s consistency and faithfulness mean that His voice will always be in harmony with His eternal word, which stands forever as our guide and authority. [15:01]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Reflection: Is there a decision or impression you’re wrestling with today? Take a moment to compare it directly with Scripture—does it align with God’s word, or is there a contradiction you need to address?

Day 2: God’s Voice Forms Christlike Character

God’s ultimate goal for every believer is to shape us into the likeness of Jesus, so any impression or direction from Him will always reflect the character of Christ—marked by purity, peace, consideration, mercy, and sincerity. When you sense God leading you, ask whether it will make you more like Jesus and whether it embodies the qualities that defined His life. God will never prompt you toward actions rooted in pride, selfishness, or division; instead, His wisdom leads to unity, gentleness, and love, forming the fruit of the Spirit in us as we follow Him. [18:17]

Romans 8:29 (ESV)
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Reflection: Think of a recent thought or decision you’ve considered—does it reflect the character of Christ, or is there an area where you need to realign your heart to be more like Him?

Day 3: God Confirms His Voice Through Spiritual Family

God has designed us to walk in community, and one of the ways He confirms His voice is through wise, mature believers who love Him first and most. When you’re discerning God’s direction, don’t go it alone—seek out counsel from those who are grounded in Scripture and committed to your spiritual growth. Godly brothers and sisters can help confirm, correct, or clarify what you’re sensing, saving you from unnecessary pain and helping you stay on the path of God’s will. [20:41]

Proverbs 11:14 (ESV)
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Reflection: Who in your spiritual family do you regularly seek for godly counsel? Is there a decision you need to bring to a trusted believer this week for prayer and wisdom?

Day 4: God’s Voice Resonates with How He Has Shaped You

God’s guidance will be consistent with the unique way He has created and gifted you; He does not call you to ignore your God-given wiring, passions, and abilities, but rather to use them for His glory. Your talents, desires, and even your personality are not accidents—they are intentional gifts from God, designed for a purpose. When discerning God’s voice, consider whether what you sense fits with how He has shaped you, and remember that your calling will often involve the things you naturally do well and love to do. [30:21]

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

Reflection: What is one gift, passion, or ability God has given you that you haven’t fully offered back to Him? How might you use it this week to serve others or glorify God?

Day 5: God’s Voice Brings Peace, Not Condemnation

When God speaks, His voice brings conviction that leads to growth and draws you closer to Him, never vague condemnation that drives you away or makes you feel worthless. The peace of God, even in challenging circumstances, is a sign of His leading, while confusion, chaos, and persistent feelings of unworthiness are not from Him. God calls you up, not out—He invites you to experience His love, forgiveness, and the peace that surpasses understanding as you follow His voice. [35:58]

Philippians 4:7 (ESV)
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: Are you experiencing conviction that draws you closer to God, or condemnation that makes you want to give up? Ask God to help you discern the difference and to fill you with His peace today.

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on learning to discern and test the voice of God in our lives. Trusting God with all our hearts means not relying solely on our own understanding, but instead listening for His voice in every area of life. The ability to hear God is deeply connected to the posture of our hearts—when we are open, humble, and ready to obey, His voice becomes clearer. God speaks in many ways: through Scripture, through people, through pain, and through impressions or thoughts that come to our minds. But not every impression is from God, so we must learn to test and verify what we sense.

Six key questions serve as a “faith filter” to help us discern whether an impression is truly from God. First, does it align with the written Word? God will never contradict Himself or His eternal truth. Second, does it reflect the character of Christ? God’s goal is to shape us into the likeness of Jesus, so any direction from Him will always move us toward Christlikeness—marked by purity, peace, consideration, and mercy. Third, does our spiritual family confirm it? God places us in community so that wise, mature believers can help us process and confirm what we sense, offering counsel that is rooted in love for God above all else.

Fourth, is it consistent with how God has uniquely wired and shaped us? God’s calling will not ignore the gifts, passions, and experiences He has already placed in us. Fifth, does it bring conviction or condemnation? God’s voice convicts specifically and draws us closer to Him, while the enemy’s voice condemns generally and drives us away. Sixth, do we sense God’s peace? Even in challenging circumstances, God’s direction is accompanied by a deep, unexplainable peace that reassures us of His presence and guidance.

Finally, we are invited to pray for a “lave shomea”—a heart that listens, as Solomon did. God promises to give wisdom generously to those who ask. In a world full of competing voices, the greatest gift we can seek is a heart that is tuned to the wisdom and voice of God.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s voice will never contradict His written Word. Every impression, thought, or sense of direction must be tested against Scripture, which stands as the unchanging foundation of our faith. If what we sense does not align with the Bible, it is not from God, no matter how strong the impression may feel. This is the first and most essential filter for discernment. [15:01]
2. The character of Christ is the template for all spiritual direction. God’s leading will always move us toward greater purity, peace, consideration, and mercy. If an impression is rooted in pride, selfishness, or causes division, it is not from God. The wisdom from above is peace-loving and considerate, shaping us to reflect Jesus in every area of life. [18:17]
3. God uses the spiritual family to confirm, correct, and encourage us. Wise, mature believers who love God above all else are invaluable in helping us discern God’s voice. Their counsel can save us from costly mistakes and help us stay aligned with God’s will, especially when facing major decisions. We must be careful to seek input from those who prioritize God’s truth over our comfort. [20:41]
4. God’s guidance is consistent with how He has uniquely created us. Our gifts, passions, and life experiences are not accidental; they are part of God’s design and purpose for us. When discerning God’s voice, we should consider whether the direction fits with how He has wired us, rather than forcing ourselves into roles or callings that contradict our God-given makeup. [30:21]
5. There is a crucial difference between conviction and condemnation. God’s conviction is specific and draws us closer to Him, pointing the way to growth and change. Condemnation, on the other hand, is vague, general, and makes us feel unworthy or hopeless—this is the enemy’s tactic. God’s voice calls us up, not out, and always invites us back to His heart with love and grace. [33:08]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:10] - Men’s Conference Invitation
[04:30] - Opening Prayer
[05:20] - Proverbs 3: Trusting God’s Voice
[07:00] - Recap: Hearing God’s Voice
[10:15] - How God Speaks: Scripture, People, Pain, Impressions
[13:40] - Testing Impressions: Introduction
[15:01] - Filter 1: Does It Align with God’s Word?
[18:17] - Filter 2: Does It Reflect Christ’s Character?
[20:41] - Filter 3: Does My Spiritual Family Confirm It?
[24:30] - Filter 4: Is It Consistent with My God-Given Wiring?
[33:08] - Filter 5: Conviction vs. Condemnation
[37:27] - Filter 6: Do I Sense God’s Peace?
[41:50] - Solomon’s Prayer for a Listening Heart
[44:44] - God’s Promise to Give Wisdom
[45:59] - Closing Prayer: Asking for a Lave Shomea

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) — > Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

1 John 4:1 (ESV) — > Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

James 3:17 (ESV) — > But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Observation Questions

According to Proverbs 3:5-6, what are we told to do instead of relying on our own understanding? What is the promise if we do this?
In 1 John 4:1, what warning does John give about messages or impressions we receive? What are we supposed to do with them? [15:01]
Looking at James 3:17, what are some of the qualities that describe wisdom from God? How do these qualities help us recognize God’s voice? [18:17]
The sermon mentioned that God speaks in different ways. What are some of the ways God speaks to us, according to the message? [10:15]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important that any impression or thought we have must align with the written Word of God? What could happen if we ignore this filter? [15:01]
The sermon says God’s voice will always move us toward Christlikeness. What does it mean for an impression to reflect the character of Christ, and why is this a reliable test? [18:17]
How can the input of wise, mature believers help us discern God’s voice? What are the dangers of only listening to people who want to make us happy rather than those who love God first? [20:41]
What is the difference between conviction and condemnation, and why is it important to recognize which one we are experiencing? [33:08]

Application Questions

Think about a recent decision or impression you’ve had. Did you test it against Scripture? If not, what would it look like to do that now? [15:01]
When you sense God leading you, do you consider whether it reflects the character of Christ—purity, peace, consideration, and mercy? Share a time when you felt an impression that did or did not match these qualities. [18:17]
Who are the wise, mature believers in your life that you can go to for confirmation or correction? Is there a decision you need to run by them right now? [20:41]
How has God uniquely wired you—your gifts, passions, and experiences? Can you think of a time when you felt called to something that didn’t fit your God-given wiring? What did you learn from that? [30:21]
Have you ever felt condemned or hopeless after sensing a “voice” or impression? How can you tell if it was conviction from God or condemnation from the enemy? What would it look like to respond differently next time? [33:08]
Describe a time when you made a hard decision but still felt God’s peace. How did that peace help you move forward, even if things were challenging? [37:27]
The sermon ended with a prayer for a “lave shomea”—a heart that listens. What would it look like for you to pray this prayer regularly? How might your life change if you truly listened for God’s voice in every area? [41:50]

Sermon Clips

``God will never tell you something that contradicts his written word. God will never tell you something that contradicts his written word. Never. In Luke chapter 12, 21 verse 33, the sky and the earth will wear out. It'll fade away. My words never, ever, ever will. There will come a day this planet will no longer be. There will become a day that the heaven and earth will never longer be. He said, my words will never pass away. His written word stands forever. [00:15:01] (32 seconds) #GodsWordEnduresForever

God is the most consistent being in all of the universe. He isn't moody. God isn't wishy-washy. He doesn't have a floating standard of situational ethics or morality. Whatever he said, it's what he means and what he meant. Forever. And what he says to us now will always be consistent with his written word. [00:15:41] (21 seconds) #GodsConsistencyUnchanging

Sometimes the things we spend time praying about and waiting on a word about, we already got a word from him on. We just need to flesh it out. So when you feel an impression or you have a thought or something weighs on your heart, the first way to verify or test it is to ask this question, does it agree with the Bible? Is what I'm feeling, what I'm sensing, does it line up with the word of God? If it doesn't, it's not God. If it doesn't, it's not God. [00:17:37] (32 seconds) #TestImpressionsByScripture

Never make huge weighty decisions all on your own. I believe sincerely in verifying God's impression and word to me through other believers. It has been pivotal, not only to just my personal life, but listen man, to the life of this church. You have no idea what my mentors and my brothers in Christ who pastor large churches, who have great wisdom in their life, who know the word of God, that I bounce things off of, how their voices and their words have matriculated down to the leadership of this church and formed and forged the backbone and the spine of Canvas Church. It is so important. [00:23:37] (34 seconds) #SeekWiseCounsel

You better be careful of the voices in your life who love you, but don't love God. If your mama don't love God, she loves you and she'll give you bad, unbiblical advice because she just wants you to be happy. She just wants you to be thrilled. And it may or may not line up with the will of God or the instructions of his scriptures. They will lead you away from the things of God. Their counsel will be driven only by what they think will make you happy in the immediate, but will cost you in the ultimate. [00:24:49] (30 seconds) #GuardAgainstUngodlyAdvice

Do I feel convicted by it or do I feel condemned? Conviction is from God and the Holy Spirit and it's wonderful. Condemnation is from the enemy and it's terrible. Godly conviction points the way to true change, but condemnation just makes you feel unworthy and bad about yourself and your life. [00:32:59] (22 seconds) #ConvictionLeadsToPeace

God's not mad at you. Hear me now. God is not mad at you. He's not angry with you. He's not disappointed in you. He has seen everything you've said, saw everything you ever did, and his love for you is still endless and boundless. And he wants you to come home and find peace and forgiveness that only your heavenly father can give to you. [00:36:34] (26 seconds) #PeaceConfirmsGodsVoice

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