Other Brothers or Sisters questioning what God has spoken to us.

Is this ok? I had a Brother question me on how do I know God said that to me. The conversation was about the Lord speaking to me on removing this person from my life. This person is a mutual friend of ours, but my Brother did not believe, or did not seem to believe, that God spoke that to me, and asked me how do I know God said this. I don't know if I have ever had anyone question me on something God has spoken to me, so I didn't even know how to react to his questioning, so I just avoided the question, and moved on to another subject. Is there any scripture on this subject?

Was removing the person from your life based on biblical concerns?

If so, and you are confident the Lord told you to do that, you have to leave it at that.

The Lord speaking to us individually, is, by definition, subjective. As long as the instruction is not contrary to scripture we have to trust it.

Well Todd, this person is a fornicator, goes to the casino almost every weekend, smokes weed, and curses a lot, and this is just what I know about him, there may be more. Would you want this person in your life? Todd, I appreciate your response, but it really didn't answer my question, should a brother or sister question what God has spoken to us?

MrBillPro,
This a great question you have asked. Should a brother or sister question what God has spoken to us? As an individual member of the body of Christ, the answer would be "yes." 1 John 4:1

The test is to compare what is being taught with the clear teaching of the Bible. The Bible alone is the Word of God; it alone is inspired and inerrant. Therefore, the way to test the spirits is to see if what is being taught is in line with the clear teaching of Scripture.

I am going to take this just a little further because I feel that others may question whether they actually hear the true voice of God...

Jesus, states in the Gospel of John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” Here is how you know that you are hearing the voice of God. The only way to know for sure is to study your Bible. When you do this and pray daily, you will come into closer communion with God, and you will know his voice.

Bill-

I wrote: "If so, and you are confident the Lord told you to do that, you have to leave it at that.

The Lord speaking to us individually, is, by definition, subjective. As long as the instruction is not contrary to scripture we have to trust it.”

My point was, and I guess I should have said so plainly, that if the reason you put this person out of your life was for biblical reasons (based on what you wrote I would say yes) and if you are confident you heard from the Lord about it, it doesn’t matter what anyone else has to say about it. How can they tell you what you did or didn’t hear from the Lord? It’s entirely subjective.

Now obviously, if you said the Lord told you to cause harm to this other person, people could legitimately question that because it’s not scriptural.

Sometimes the cry of the Christian is "oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.” But often it is our lot in life to be misunderstood. That goes with obeying God and listening to His voice.

Thanks Todd and William, I appreciate your thoughts.

Bro Bill pro,
This is the Scripture that came into mind, when I was studying on your question ,.. I do not know how it would pertain to you or for us all.

2Thes2:2,
"That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.”

We know that:.
The ‘Day’ The ‘Light’ of The Lord (The enlightened Word of The Lord) is at ‘hand’,.. (just as the kingdom of God is at ‘hand’, and He is willing to give it to us, if we seek Him for it,.. because we are thrusting Him,

So when The Lord teaches/tells me something, I go to The Word of God to
Confirm it, .. if pertaining to The Word,.. if something else, I keep it within and just wait upon Him.

””””””””””””
elizabeth

1Cor. 5:11-13:
11 "But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler””not even to eat with such a one.

12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?

13 But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES."

You did not say whether this acquaintance is a professing Christian but the reality is that if you maintain a close relationship with people who are living in sin it has a way of wearing on you where you will eventually become like them, happening slowly by degrees.

Yes, I believe the Holy Spirit could have told you to distance yourself from this person.

I know from experience the danger one puts him/herself in by being closely associated with people who lie, have a critical/fault-finding spirit. It is toxic to the spirit and soul.

God bless.

Sandra

Greeting Bill

I see 2x awnsers here

1x As a born again believer we stand on the promise of the word. you know Gods voice as he dwells with your spirit. you can show him this through out the bible

1 Cor 6:17

2x I have to make an assumption here due to limitation on content so no offence intended. Despite all of this persons outward sin, you looked at his spirit and dealt with him according to this. This truth spoken to him allows the man in question to either reject what your say to him or to recieve it which opens the door for Gods mercy to come upon his life.

Just my Thoughts Bill God Bless

Brother Bill,

If you can't find anything redeemable in this man, then probably the Lord can't either, right? :) So you did hear from God! :) :) :)

Your friend in Christ!!
Lisa

It is an interesting dynamic, trying to determine whether your association with another person is ministry or not! Sometimes we have to be the best Christ we can in the presence of others when we have no other choice like family and co-workers, and some people just plain need to be avoided. Hearing God’s counsel is precious- and His counsel today may change tomorrow!

What was Jesus thinking when the rich young ruler, after the discussion of how the law of God is fulfilled in a man’s heart and life, the man just walked away? Jesus didn’t apologize or soften the appeal and He didn’t chase him down in an effort to win him back. He just watched him walk away.

God knows those that are His, and it is almost frightening to hear from Him that a person we know is not in a place to hear and respond to the ministry that lives within us. Doesn’t mean that this person is permanently lost, but "not you, not now.”

Perhaps it is fair to say to God, "Thank You for this word, and since this person is in a dark place, may Your wisdom and love for him reach him in a way that today I cannot.”

Well Todd, this person is a fornicator, goes to the casino almost every weekend, smokes weed, and curses a lot, and this is just what I know about him, there may be more. Would you want this person in your life? Todd, I appreciate your response, but it really didn't answer my question, should a brother or sister question what God has spoken to us?

Mr. Bill: I would think that if this man was causing you to stumble out of weakness on your part or if you had this man as part of your inner circle where you valued and accepted his advice, then you might want to distance yourself from that aspect of relationship. I regularly counsel people who are new believers and whose circle of friends has always been the drinking and drugging buddies to cut ties until they become strong and mature enough to no longer be influenced. But if you are a mature brother, you cannot win this man without having some form of relationship. I am not questioning what you felt God told you. I am just encouraging you to weight what you heard with scripture and make your decision based upon that. I do not have any close confidants who are not believers, but I do have relationships with people who are not saved and who need to be won.

Just my perspective.

Hi brother,

About your question.

It's no problem when someone questions you if you really heard from the Lord I think. The question is: why did he questioned it? Is it because he has a scripture vers against your decision? Or because he doesn't see the wisdom in it?

I have know enough people that thought they heared the Lord (I myself are included) but later saw that it was wrong. I am happy when people question me about my motives and about if I really walk in the will of God. That drive me to my knees in prayer and so I can make more sure that I am walking in the will of God.

You said this about the person you removed from your life:
"Well Todd, this person is a fornicator, goes to the casino almost every weekend, smokes weed, and curses a lot, and this is just what I know about him, there may be more. Would you want this person in your life?"

My answer:
- if he says he is not a christian: yes, to preach the gospel to him.
- if he says he is a christian: no, then I would say that he is lying about his faith, share the gospel and if he doesn't listen then I would leave him alone.

If it is a family member, I would see him sometimes, but I would talk with him like I would with any non-christian. I wouldn't have deep fellowship with him, but try to share the gospel and the truth with that person.

Just two sidenodes:
- Be carefull with saying "the Lord said this and this to me". You could be wrong, be humble enough to test that.
- Don't block every 'sinner' out of your life, because the Lord sometimes place a christian in the life of a sinner to win them to Christ. Jesus died for there souls! Follow him and sacrifice your life for them!

Question posed:

"Well Todd, this person is a fornicator, goes to the casino almost every weekend, smokes weed, and curses a lot, and this is just what I know about him, there may be more. Would you want this person in your life? Todd, I appreciate your response, but it really didn't answer my question, should a brother or sister question what God has spoken to us?"

The question itself is framed in a way that "poisons the well"...its conclusion is assumed by the negative character represented.

Aside from that.

A few things:
1. You should share what God has spoken to you with others whom you trust ( those who have shown good discerning in the past)Believers only, unbelievers cannot understand or discern spiritual things so their answer is highly speculative.
2. You should share it with spiritual leaders if you have those kind of men who are capable of discerning the voice of God.
3. You should share it with your wife if she is capable of discerning and hearing the voice of God herself.

Those whom I personally would NOT share what I believe to be God.
1. Cookie cutter Christians who do not actually discern, but in fact simply measure all things against a doctrinal grid, or some church's position on the matter.
(case in point, I don't ask cessationists to help discern or bring light upon a prophetic word, word of knowledge etc) because from the outset they have nothing to offer except a doctrinal position).
2. Hyper-spirituals who are as equally undiscerning as a cessationist because they pretty much accept anything that has a 'spiritual flavor' to it.
3. Christians who do not care about your spiritual condition or welfare.

Caveat #1 if you hear something along the lines of "Hey, divorce that mean wife and get this much prettier model" The cessationist if biblical will quickly see this is not aligning with scripture (cessationist or not) and get it right when he tells you, your listening to something devilish.

all that to say...if you follow God relationally, and listen for his voice as you would his child, you must seek the godly counsel of those who also follow God relationally and listen for the voice of the Spirit.