Test #5: Does the leading glorify God?   Ultimately, every good deed, every “work”, every thought-empowered by the Holy Spirit- will eventually bring glory to God. Look at how the following truths work together: The relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is like a perfect, unbroken circle of love and glory. The Father sends the Spirit (John 14:26) in Jesus’ name to guide, teach, and remind believers of everything Jesus has said. The Spirit does not speak on His own; His mission is to make Jesus known. The Spirit glorifies Jesus by taking what belongs to Him—His truth, His words, His work—and declaring it to us…

Test #4:  Seek confirmation from wise counselors.   1. Seeking advice from other trusted and spiritually mature believers can help confirm or challenge the message you believe you’re hearing from God. This type of confirmation is necessary when you are considering making life altering changes and seeking God’s wisdom.   2. Is the message from the voice confirmed in your quiet times or from messages from your spiritual community? God tends to repeat Himself in order to help you understand it is really coming from Him. For myself, I have learned that He will confirm His voice, His direction from at least 3 totally unrelated sources within a matter of…

Test #3:  What fruit will develop if you listen to this voice?   The Bible says that the fruit of the Spirit is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Fruit is the result of a plant’s entire growth process. So these things are the results of what God is growing in your life. The voice of God will lead to more of this fruit, even if it is accompanied by pruning and seasons of moving from seed to maturity. So be wise in looking at the full life cycle of the fruit that could develop. Remember that His fruit grows, independent of circumstances. And it is…