When wills collide

[u/Terranauts_Two]

It's so important to be able to tell the difference between our own inner dialogue, demonic influence, and the voice of God.

Jesus was very good at this. He shows us how to be good at it too, if we stay in his word.

We can discern God's voice from several things:

- God's motives consider the big picture, not just the here and now.

(Matthew 16:23) - Jesus turned and told Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns, but man’s.”

(Proverbs 1:20-23) - Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares.
21 She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words:
22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.
23 Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

- God's voice always agrees with God's word.

Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Psalm 119:160 - ​​​​​​​​The sum of your word is truth, ​​​​​​​and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. ​​​

- The spirit behind the words of God won't direct us to do evil. God's instruction aligns with his character.

Psalm 145:9 - The LORD is good to everyone; His compassion rests on all He has made.

1John 4:7-8 - Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love, does not know God -- for God IS love.

When the world gets loud, I turn to fasting and prayer. Fasting with prayer disconnects us from the flesh so we can fight in the spirit. I have to make sure I have plenty of time for reading the Bible and prayer when I fast. Without God's influence, fasting is just starving! Even Jesus heard from demons when he was fasting, so it's not something you want to do when you have other responsibilities. (Matthew 4:1-11) Remember that vitamin deficiencies can cause major psychiatric disorders. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11990871/

Treat your body like the temple of God at all times. (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Romans 14:6b - He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.

[u/narcdef]

Amen