Discernment: Navigating Voices in a Distracted World

Devotional

Day 1: Discernment Amidst Distractions

In a world filled with distractions and deceptions, discernment is essential for spiritual growth and protection. The myriad of voices that compete for our attention can easily lead us astray if we are not vigilant. False prophets and misleading voices, as highlighted in Matthew 24, are prevalent, especially in these last days. It is crucial to maintain our focus on God, who is always present with us, guiding us through every situation. By cultivating a discerning spirit, we can navigate the noise and remain steadfast in our faith. [02:49]

"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." (1 John 4:1, ESV)

Reflection: What are some specific voices or distractions in your life that you need to discern and possibly ignore to maintain your focus on God today?

Day 2: Humility as a Shield Against Pride

Pride is a destructive force that can lead us away from God's path. It is not of God, and we are encouraged to clothe ourselves with humility, recognizing that all we have is by His grace. Ignoring the voice of pride is essential to avoid the pitfalls of arrogance and self-reliance. By embracing humility, we acknowledge our dependence on God and open ourselves to His guidance and blessings. This humility allows us to walk in alignment with His will, avoiding the destruction that pride can bring. [07:44]

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find pride creeping in, and how can you actively choose humility today?

Day 3: Embracing Our God-Given Identity

Insecurity can cripple us, but our true identity is found in God's Word. God has a purpose and a plan for each of us, and we are more than our insecurities. By understanding our identity in Christ, we can rise above the voice of insecurity and walk confidently in the path He has set before us. This understanding empowers us to live out our God-given purpose, free from the chains of doubt and fear. [17:26]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: What specific insecurities are holding you back from fully embracing your identity in Christ, and how can you confront them with God's truth today?

Day 4: Walking by Faith, Not Fear

Fear is not from God, and we are called to walk by faith, trusting in His promises. By ignoring the voice of fear, we can stand firm in the assurance that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Faith over fear allows us to move forward with confidence, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. This trust in His promises enables us to face challenges with courage and hope. [22:08]

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one fear that is currently holding you back, and how can you take a step of faith to overcome it today?

Day 5: Guarding Against Compromise and Offense

Compromise can lead to future destruction, while offense can grow into bitterness, robbing us of peace and joy. We are encouraged to respond to life's circumstances from a biblical perspective, not a fleshly one, to maintain our spiritual integrity. By avoiding compromise and offense, we protect our hearts and minds, allowing God's peace to reign in our lives. This commitment to biblical principles ensures that we remain aligned with God's will and experience the fullness of His joy. [31:30]

"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are tempted to compromise or hold onto offense, and how can you choose a biblical response today?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the importance of discernment in navigating the myriad of voices that vie for our attention in our daily lives. We are reminded that God is always present with us, guiding us through every situation, and it is crucial to maintain our focus on Him. As we live in a world filled with distractions and deceptions, particularly in these last days as described in Matthew 24, we must be vigilant and discerning to avoid being led astray by false prophets and misleading voices.

We discussed the necessity of ignoring certain voices that can lead us away from God's path. The voice of pride, for instance, can lead to destruction if not checked. Pride is not of God, and we are encouraged to clothe ourselves with humility, recognizing that all we have is by His grace. Similarly, the voice of the past can hinder our progress. We are called to be pioneers of our future, not prisoners of our past, as everything about us is designed to move forward.

Insecurity is another voice that can cripple us, but our true identity is found in God's Word. We are reminded that God has a purpose and a plan for each of us, and we are more than our insecurities. Fear, too, is a voice that must be ignored, as it is not from God. Instead, we are to walk by faith, trusting in God's promises and His ever-present help in times of trouble.

Compromise and offense are additional voices that can lead us astray. Compromise can write the story of our future destruction, while offense can grow into bitterness, robbing us of peace and joy. We are encouraged to respond to life's circumstances from a biblical perspective, not a fleshly one.

Finally, the voice of lack and the voice of self are addressed. We are reminded that God gives us the power to gain wealth and that we should not succumb to a mindset of lack. The greatest battle we face is often with ourselves, and we must crucify our sinful nature to live in alignment with God's Spirit.

Key Takeaways

1. Discernment in a Noisy World: In a world filled with distractions and deceptions, maintaining discernment is crucial. We must be vigilant to avoid being led astray by false prophets and misleading voices, as highlighted in Matthew 24. Our focus should remain on God, who is always present with us, guiding us through every situation. [02:49]
2. Humility Over Pride: Pride is a destructive force that can lead us away from God's path. We are encouraged to clothe ourselves with humility, recognizing that all we have is by His grace. Ignoring the voice of pride is essential to avoid the pitfalls of arrogance and self-reliance. [07:44]
3. Embracing Our True Identity: Insecurity can cripple us, but our true identity is found in God's Word. God has a purpose and a plan for each of us, and we are more than our insecurities. By understanding our identity in Christ, we can rise above the voice of insecurity. [17:26]
4. Faith Over Fear: Fear is not from God, and we are called to walk by faith, trusting in His promises. By ignoring the voice of fear, we can stand firm in the assurance that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. [22:08]
5. Avoiding Compromise and Offense: Compromise can lead to future destruction, while offense can grow into bitterness, robbing us of peace and joy. We are encouraged to respond to life's circumstances from a biblical perspective, not a fleshly one, to maintain our spiritual integrity. [31:30]
** [31:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:06] - Season of Change
[02:49] - The Need for Discernment
[05:17] - Voices to Ignore
[06:27] - Prayer for Discernment
[07:44] - Ignoring the Voice of Pride
[09:47] - The Dangers of Lust and Pride
[11:23] - Moving Past the Past
[13:41] - Forward, Not Backward
[15:19] - Revival and the Last Days
[17:26] - Overcoming Insecurity
[20:57] - God's Purpose for You
[22:08] - Faith Over Fear
[25:56] - The Trap of Compromise
[31:30] - The Spirit of Offense
[36:28] - The Voice of Lack
[49:17] - The Battle with Self

Sermon Clips

1) "We have to have discernment, because we live in a day and age where there are a lot of voices vying for your attention, a lot of voices screaming at you to get your attention. Some of those we need to pay attention to, and there are some that we need to ignore. Now, if you are 13 years old and your mama says, son, take out the trash, you don't need to ignore that voice. She brought you in the world. She take you out of the world. If your daddy says, son, I heard your mama tell you twice, now get up and take the trash out you don't need to ignore that voice." [02:49] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "When you start getting a prideful, arrogant, haughty attitude, you are headed for trouble. You may be full of talent, you may be full of gifts, you may be walking in an anointing, but everything we have, the Bible says it's in him. We live and move and have our being. And I couldn't wiggle that little finger were it not for his grace. He gives life. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. And when we let pride get on us, it's ugly. When you come across with an arrogant, haughty, prideful attitude. It's not attractive." [07:44] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "You are either a prisoner of your past or you are a pioneer of your future. Which do you want to be? Do you want to be bound by the past, chained to your past, in bondage to your past? Many people are. One of the reasons we have celibate recovery on Monday night is to help people get free and to get out of the past and move forward. Because everything about you is meant to go forward. God said. He told Moses, tell the children of Israel, go forward. And they went backwards instead of going forward. You were built to go forward." [13:41] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Your true identity is embedded within the pages of God's holy word, the Bible. And if you'll just read his word, if you'll read the book, if you will read the Bible, he will tell you who you are. You are greater than you think you are. You have a destiny far greater than you think that you have. God wants to use you to change the world that you are in. He wants to make a difference in your world, through your life, through your anointing, through his power, working through you, through the love of the Holy Spirit." [17:26] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "When fear comes, ignore it. When fear comes and says, you're going to die, you're going to get sick, I'm going to put cancer on you, I'm going to put leukemia on you, I'm going to put heart disease on you, you're going to die, ignore it. Because by his stripes, you are healed. Now if you've been diagnosed with sickness, rebuke it. Plead the blood of Jesus over it, pray over yourself, declare the word of God over your life and then walk in faith. Because we walk by faith and not by sight. By his stripes you are healed." [22:08] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Compromise is the penniless that writes the story of your future destruction. Compromise is the pen that writes the story of your future destruction. What you respect in your life, the people you respect, the things you respect. Those move towards you. The things that you disrespect, the people that you disrespect, will leave your life. They will move away." [25:56] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "Offense occurs the moment we answer the circumstances of life from a fleshly perspective rather than a biblical perspective. Let me say that again. Offense occurs the moment we attempt to answer the circumstances of life from a fleshly, worldly perspective rather than from a biblical perspective. Because I've already given you the scripture earlier in the message, I have been crucified with Christ. It is not I that live, but Christ that lives in me. If I have been crucified, I am dead. If I have been crucified and my flesh is dead, whatever you do to me will not offend me, it will not hurt me." [32:42] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "The most celebrated demonization in all of hell is the one that is assigned to convince you that God wants you to live. In lack. We buy in to lack. We say things like, I can't afford it. Oh, I knew you wouldn't shout me down. We tell our children things like, we can't afford it. Children. I'm sorry. I wish we could. Oh, y'all looking at me now like a calf looking at a new gate. What'd you say? Yeah." [37:13] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9) "The greatest giant you will ever face is yourself if it wasn't for us. God wants to do great things. God's given you great ability and talent. God's granted you great favor. God's opened great doors. God set you up, and we mess it up. Look at your neighbor and say, he must be talking to you right there. We mess it up. Galatians 516 so I tell you the truth. Live the way the spirit of God leads you. Then you will not do the evil things your sinful self wants to do." [49:17] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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