Here’s the link https://youtu.be/TUrDa0wHBf4?is=xep0EOhgPDoVeEmw

Hearing from God in His Word in often an emotional, moving experience. The challenge can be separating my own feelings from the message that God wants me to hear, and more importantly, the action that God wants me to take. Many false doctrines have been born from mistaking human emotions for the movement of the Holy Spirit. God wants to inspire us. He also wants to instruct us. So, how do we hear from God while our hearts are stirred?

Here are three things to remember and four things to do.

First, remember that feelings are not facts and thoughts are not theology. Just because you are emotionally stirred does not mean God has given you clear direction.

Second, feelings and emotions can be informational and inspirational, they are not necessarily instructional. Try the spirits. Seek discernment.

Last, remember our emotional responses to scripture should be taken seriously but not at face value. We have politicians making broad decrees about what the Bible says based on their emotional response. Not on careful, committed study.

So, what do we do when the Word moves us? And I’m so glad it does.

1. Study the whole Word in context. Context is king.

2. Compare your thoughts to good, solid doctrine. The church is not always right but it has been thinking through theology for 2000 years.
3. Engage in several growth-producing conversations with wise mentors. Have a deep, theologically astute, mentor on speed dial.

4. Go back to God and Scripture again and again. Recheck. Rethink. Reread. When you feel God is telling you something, repeat the process and pray for clarity.

The Bible, if we are experiencing a good, growing walk with God, should stir us often. But to hear from God is more than an emotional experience. Seek wisdom and discernment.  Thanks for being a part of this discussion.

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