Hearing His Voice #215

When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.

1 Corinthians 14:26

The voice of God was being expressed in all sorts of ways in Corinth. Paul had to put some guidelines around the expressions, but he never told the Corinthian believers that they were only pretending to hear God’s voice or that they were mistaken in what they heard. He questioned the motives and timing surrounding their spiritual gifts, but he affirmed those gifts as legitimate. And he ascribed to them a unifying purpose: spiritual gifts must strengthen the church.

Many people don’t seem to realize that. They claim to speak for God, but major on doomsday predictions, alarmist tactics, and faultfinding attacks. Instead of emphasizing what God is doing, they panic about what remains to be done. Instead of commending believers for their gains, they point out how far we fall short. Instead of testing movements to see what’s true in them, they dissect them to find out what’s false. They claim to be discerning and biblical, but instead they are skeptical and legalistic. In forgetting to strengthen the church, they quench the Spirit.

When you hear voices that claim to speak in God’s name, but that criticize, condemn, or tear down, you can reject them. God wants to encourage and build up. That’s His heart’s desire. When He speaks, this is the effect His voice will have. He will remind you who you really are in Him, point out the treasures He has placed within you, and urge you to step higher and deeper into His Kingdom. He will correct you when He needs to, but He will saturate all of His messages with love. His words through others, if they are truly His words, will build you up.

Lord, forgive me for accepting critical and condemning words as Yours. I know Your voice heals and strengthens me, even when You correct me. Help me to discern who Your messengers are by the love that motivates them.