Posted by Adeliyn Lim • Nov 1, 2022
I appreciate Pastor Chris bringing up this topic again about hearing God and the 5 tests. The biggest takeaway for me is that we as the individual and as the Church collectively, need to be rooted in the Word in its whole context and to know God’s heart as revealed in the Word and to us. To not be so can lead to very disastrous results.
My challenge to you, the reader, is to think about this carefully and purposefully. Too many times the test of whether something is biblical was used to cherry pick a verse that supports whatever bias a certain party has. The Bible has, and still is being used to criticise and depreciate others, especially the marginalised people groups. Instead of using the Bible to bash others, we should be focusing on what God has consistently said – care of the poor, needy and alien from us. Knowing the Bible in its full context can prevent us from falling into this trap.
On confirmation of the Church family: There are times when you just know it is wrong despite the entire group saying it is the right way, and you are proven right to listen to the Voice inside, sometimes days, months or even years down the road. I remember 15 years ago I had a vision advising against certain Christian leaders of great repute. I shared it with my Christian group and was chastised and ridiculed because of the influence and good work these people had done. About 10 years after I shared that vision, these “leaders” were proven to be sexual predators, embezzlers, fabricators of tall tales – all of them twisted the Word and gave the world a show for personal fame and wealth, at the expense of others.
Let’s look back into church history: How many times has the church “heard something from the Lord” and did things that would now be considered crimes against humanity in the name of God? Just two examples: The Spanish Inquisition, the European race for God, Gold and Glory leading to colonisation, genocide and slavery which the world is still suffering the after-effects. If only the church family was rooted in the Word and knew God, such atrocities would not have happened and much pain and suffering would not be affecting the world today.
What was true in the old days is the same today. Knowing about God and doing very well in the “religious things” is not the same as knowing God. No matter how good the framework or test that can be shared to the world, it is only as good as the relationship we have with God. The challenge is first to be rooted in the Word. Secondly is to know God’s heart personally and deeply. The consequences of “hearing God’s message” and declaring it has great consequences: it can either lead to great outcomes or it may devastate lives.
My prayer and challenge to the church is that we all seek to truly know God’s heart well so that we may continuously bring His will and intention to the people and world around us.
Lord, thank you for once again for bringing this message reminding us again that we can all hear You, and hear You clearly. We pray that we will continue to grow deeper in the Word, understanding the Word in Your context and not interpret it from our own perspective, biases or worse still for our own gain. We pray we will grow deeper in relationship with You as our God, our Father and our Friend without being led astray from the various voices around us. Be our guiding light as we too affirm once again to never stray from the narrow road. In Jesus name, Amen.