| Doomed An explorer deep in the Amazon jungle found himself surrounded by a group of bloodthirsty cannibals. The explorer said quietly to himself, “I'm doomed!” Suddenly a ray of light appeared from the sky, and a voice boomed out, “No, my son, you are not doomed. Pick up that stone at your feet and bash in the head of the chief standing in front of you.” The explorer picked up the stone and attacked the chief. After a few swift blows, he looked down at the chief's lifeless body. The rest of the cannibals stared silently at the explorer. Then the voice boomed out again: “Okay...now you're doomed.”
Where to Take It from Here?
Sometimes it's a good idea to double-check your sources. Not every voice that sounds authoritative is actually looking out for your best interests. You can find advice just about anywhere these days, and much of it can sound pretty convincing. But how do you know what to believe or who to trust? When you're trying to decide what to do in a tough situation, how do you determine what God's will is? You may not hear the voice of God booming from the heavens, but what about that “still, small voice” that prompts you in a particular direction. How do you know whether or not that voice can be trusted? You must always test what you hear against the Bible. If someone or something is prompting you to do something that contradicts the Word of God, then it can't possibly be from God. Some people commit sin and say, “God led me to do it.” But they're mistaken. It's impossible for God to commit sin or to recommend it (1 John 3:8-9). If you want to be prepared for the difficult situations you may face, don't wait for God to give you directions in a booming voice from heaven. Study his Word. You'll be ready for just about anything that comes along. (see 2 Timothy 2:15). 2 Timothy 2:15
|