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Writer's pictureDeborah

Discernment

Series: Inspired Word of God




Hebrews 4:12 ESV


I live in a place where I am learning discernment.


There are many loud voices where I live.


In this place I have learned (and am learning) to watch and listen for the voice of God.


I wait for the movement of the Spirit.


I long for guidance because there are so many screaming voices telling how they know the answers. The voices scream. They believe they have the right to tell others what to believe and what to think…


But, here’s the thing: many many of those voices are not waiting and watching for the Word of God.


Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”


Discernment is paramount.


There’s another factor at play here as well. While we may all need discernment we can really only be responsible for “the one”.


The other may not be listening or they may not know how to listen. And… even if they are listening discernment is sometimes difficult to comprehend. For now, we’ll take those issues off the table and we will start with the thought that we are working with two people who are trying to listen for movement from the Spirit.


The first thing we need to know is that voices come from many places.


Some say life decisions are made by what we feel about the choices, some say decisions are often made because we remember decisions we made, others say decisions are made based on what we have experienced and how that line of thinking impacted us, and still others make decisions by laying out the facts and determining what makes sense at the time.


Those all make good sense when making a major decision.


All of those things could be included in our thoughts processes. At least, that could be a good beginning.


However, there is another choice available that just might be a better option. While we can and most likely have felt, remembered, determined what might work, and laid out the facts (call it the Descartes method) we can simply pray and wait.


I do realize there are folks who say we would do better to pray first and forego the other choices. I tend to agree and I think that approach is perfectly fine.


But…it requires faith.


Also we must note that praying and waiting for the movement of the Spirit may seem like it’s the quick road to an answer but that depends on God. We have to remember that God’s timing is perfect and ours is not.


Now that we’ve established the parameters we can set the stage.


Choose a quiet spot where you can sit in silence. That can be in a secluded spot outside or you can sit inside.


Sit comfortably.


State the problem…in other words what you need to know.


Focus on God.


You can talk to God outloud if that helps you to feel connected.


Then wait. Be silent. Open your hands to receive if that helps you.


While I agree on paper that seems like a great option, we also must remember we are human.


More than likely if we stuff our feelings and thinking down it will at some time to emerge. So… you may ask but you may not receive a instant answer.


When it emerges it could be uninvited.


It all depends on God and God’s timing.


I know it seems complex but it is part of our brain.


I’ve practiced asking and waiting on God for years…it is a choice that blesses us.


Spiritual Practice: Sit comfortably


Think about God. God is closer than we think. Once you sense a movement of the Spirit, make a connection. Lean in toward the Spirit. Receive what God has for you.


In God, Deborah


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