Criteria for Evaluating What We Hear
Since no Christian wants to mislead (or to be misled) through a supposed word from God, it is important to understand how to evaluate what we hear.
One criterion for evaluating a supposed word from God is the tone of the word communicated. Is it negative or positive? Does it lead or drive? Does it engender peace or panic? Almost everything God says, though direct, will be positive and gentle.
By contrast, the enemy, through accusation and fear, will try to bypass our mind, seeking instead to activate our will through our emotions. MIT graduate Dr. Dale Yocum wrote:
We may discern the difference between the guidance of the Spirit and that of Satan. The former is attended by a sense of sweetness, liberty, and greater love for him who guides us. The latter produces just the opposite effects: light fades out and the face of our Lord is obscured.
A second criterion essential for evaluation is the effect of the word on others.
One nationally known preacher received a word from the Lord projecting a future ministry in Jerusalem. So what did he do? Well, while his wife was at work, he launched the effort to sell their house and furniture, and then purchased airline tickets.
This frenetic effort was done in a day and announced when she got home. You can imagine how his wife felt about that!
As it turned out, his ministry in Jerusalem didn’t begin for another twenty years—and even then there was no necessity to move.
Just know that an authentic word from God will dovetail in a beneficial way with his plan for others. It is most important that all are blessed, and that none are victimized by a supposed word from God.
A third criterion is the continuity of that word with other words the Lord has given. Because there will usually be progression—word building upon word, God’s present word isn’t likely to contradict past leadings.
This means if there is a seeming contradiction, we, in a spirit of rest, should go to the Lord and ask for further clarification. We are not exercising doubt when we take this step, but trust—for further guidance.
When evaluating a message given to us by others, it may also be helpful to know the spiritual condition of the word-giver. Is he emotionally stable? Is he morally sound? Do respected leaders recommend him? Is his track record for accuracy impressive?
And even if the answers to all these questions are in the affirmative, we still shouldn’t make a decision singularly based on some prophecy, word of knowledge, or vision.
Those communications are very useful, to the extent they focus us where we may not have been otherwise focused. Nevertheless, every word, valued though it is, must be brought to the feet of Jesus so that he can approve, amend, or reject.
Agreeing with this perspective, Herman Riffel cautions those who receive a message, and those who communicate a message from the Lord, not to succumb to coercion, nor to use it.
It is very important that we do not accept someone else’s interpretation if our hearts do not respond to it … It is also important not to force a message of prophecy or direction, or an interpretation of a dream or vision upon another whose heart does not answer to it. Let the Spirit of God confirm his own word without our pressure.
Not to be dismissed from this discussion about criteria applicable when getting a message from God is our own agenda when seeking it.
Some people get overly anxious when attempting to hear from God because of the false criterion they use. They think that a believer must wait for God to disclose his will for every decision they make.
God’s moral will is revealed in Scripture, so no problem there. But how are we to find his will in non-moral decisions: which university to attend, which vocation to pursue, which house to buy, etc.?
This can lead to a frenzied effort to find the proverbial needle in a haystack. The result of that can be using forced and fallible thinking in a vain effort to sort out good options.
This is the wrong approach.
The Bible says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). But notice the first word in this verse—if! Maybe you don’t lack wisdom. Maybe you already know enough to decide.
Be aware that often there are several options in non-moral decision-making, all of which are fine to the Lord. So choose one.
Just like that? No, not just like that. It would be wise first to go to the Lord with a tender and teachable heart and ask if a certain option you selected is his will (James 4:16).
Give the Lord the honor to permit, reject, or amend. If he has an input to make, he’ll make it. And if not, you’re free to choose.
Of course, give him a reasonable amount of time to respond. But keep in mind he said that he will give liberally, graciously. He’s not going to make this a painful, protracted experience.
If indeed you were submissive in the way you laid this option at his feet, that’s your assurance you did this right. So decide.
Holding out for specific instruction from the Lord for every decision you make will only result in needless anxiety. Why? Because you are trying to gain from God what he never said he would give.
Admittedly, there are “trips” and traps to be avoided. But this really underscores the enormous value these personal, present-tense communication from the Lord do have.
It is sad that the average believer knows almost nothing about hearing the voice of God—neither in concept, nor in practice
The good news, though, is that these life-robbing, blessing-forfeiting consequences can be reversed once the strong scriptural underpinning for a currently communicating God is recognized, and once the believer then avails himself to what God so much wants—an increased intimacy, through clear and consistent communication, customized to address present and pressing needs.
God promised to communicate with us in this way! Therefore, there is a sense in which we have a right to hear from him, especially when we don’t know what we need to know.
This sense of entitlement, fully intended by God, excites what is so essential: the expectation of faith, which you will remember is the way we are to ask for wisdom (James 1:6)
Further explaining this approach, Norman Grubb said:
We do not attempt to strain for an answer, or to make one up. We remain like little children, free from urge, but refusing to act until we know. We maintain that we have a right to know, for by his grace we are his servants and the one thing the servant has a right to is orders.
Giving testimony to what hearing God’s voice meant to his life, A.B. Simpson said:
As I listened, it became to me the power of prayer, the voice of wisdom, and call of duty; and I did not need to think so hard, or pray so hard, or trust so hard, but that the “still, small voice” of the Holy Spirit in my heart was God’s prayer in my secret soul, and God’s answer to all my questions.
What an amazing way to live!
May that life be yours.
