Discernment

[stanshall]

I am 66 and know God is real. About a year ago a neighbor gave me a message from God that my heart has been hardened. He was right but I kept on my dumb journey eating thc gummys that blackened my soul. Since then I have repented but do not believe I am saved.
How do I discern between my thoughts and God’s thoughts? I haven’t been able to cry over several years and am weak in my faith due to allowing my thoughts to think worldly thoughts of the flesh.
Another question. There is a certain church I occasionally visit and I won’t mention its denomination. One day after going to a different church I was returning home passing the early church and felt stomach nausea for unknown reasons. Last night I went to that church, listened to the music and suddenly felt nauseated. Suffice to say I got up and left after 30 minutes and when I got home had to vomit. I’m trying to figure out what’s wrong with me. They seem to be a Godly church so I don’t know what’s going on.
Thank you to any who respond.

 

[Brad Huber]

As far as whose thoughts are yours alone and what thoughts come from outside your own mind... know that satan and his minions will sometimes whisper thoughts into our minds pretending to be thoughts from the Lord pretending to be an angel of the Lord..... or wanting you to think they are your own thoughts. It depends on how well they are received by you as to how they will pretend to be. Sometimes (but not always) the thoughts that you find offensive are whispers of satan and satan wants you to claim them as your own and to see yourself as evil with those thoughts. If you continue thinking about that thought that satan whispered to you, and claim it as your own or even act upon it, then you have fallen into sin. Yet if you recognize that impure or evil thought to be wrong and rebuke it and refuse to keep pondering it, then it is not sin. If you seem to have thoughts arise in your mind that may be warnings from the Lord, its normally a more gentle prodding, a pleading to please dont do such and such. A hard scolding is more often satan just wanting you to feel guilty over something and so keep you less effective in serving the Lord.

As to denominations, there is more evil in some places of worship than others, and it doesnt differentiate between denominations, its simply .... one place of worship versus another. Although I cannot confirm an evil presence in the place that made you ill, its one of two things... either its an evil spirit making you sick because there is people at that place that they evil spirit hates and doesnt want you to go there. Its either that or the Holy Spirit inside you is warning you that the place is bad for you spiritually.

If I were unsure, I would do a 3 day fast and pray over the situation, that the Lord would make things clearer to you.

 

[Curtis]

How do I discern between my thoughts and God’s thoughts?

It requires faith to hear the voice of God, which means you need to hear the Gospel, for it is from the Gospel (the Word of God) that faith comes.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Hearing the Word of God is actually hearing Jesus' (God's) voice because he is the Word of God.

There are a couple of scriptures you need to know that will help you.

Jesus said......

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Start every day by "confessing" this out loud. "I hear Jesus's voice, and I follow him"

Something else you need to know is this.

1Co 2:11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
1Co 2:12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.

Only the Spirit of God knows God's thoughts, so if the Spirit of God is in you, he will reveal His thoughts to you.

You must know this because you can NOT believe (have faith) in something you do not know, and you cannot experience (God's voice) what you do not believe. (Have faith in)

 

[joestue]

Last night I went to that church, listened to the music and suddenly felt nauseated. Suffice to say I got up and left after 30 minutes and when I got home had to vomit. I’m trying to figure out what’s wrong with me

Sometimes they go out that way. Other times things that need to get kicked out, stick around for a while manifesting in such ways.

Either way, you need to take up your authority in Christ and tell the darkness to leave.

 

[Christ4Ever]

I am 66 and know God is real. About a year ago a neighbor gave me a message from God that my heart has been hardened. He was right but I kept on my dumb journey eating thc gummys that blackened my soul. Since then I have repented but do not believe I am saved.

Dear Stanshall,
Welcome back. It can get tough getting older and then being convicted of one's actions by a neighbor of all things! I mean, I don't know how close you are with them, but clearly the contact between you is not just that you live next to each other, but that you have talked about the things of God and would probably consider each other a believer in Christ Jesus.

So, unless your confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior was not genuine, I believe you can set the question of your salvation to the side. The Adversary would love for you to give up both your faith and your desire to walk as a man of God, not only in word but deed as well. Those two things belong together; when they drift apart, our walk with the Lord begins to wander.

It looks as though that has happened in your life. Many, if not most, believers can say the same at some point. When we came to Christ and were sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14), that seal was a guarantee of our inheritance. That has not changed.

What is needed now is to return to the simple, daily habits that keep us close to Him: studying the Word so it shapes everyday life, prayer, worship, and finding time to be with God, because He wants to be with you. This is true communion, and it can happen anywhere, not only in a church building. Start (or restart) there might be something to consider if you're doing so already, and the clarity and strength you need will follow.

Others here have talked about how to consider how to tell if you are hearing the voice of God or not. Some good advice there. Consider their words. As always, hold everything against the prism (an expression I use) that is the Word of God. Let it be the filter from which you can view what is right and also what is wrong. Test all things brother which is good to see that you are doing!

Well, with all the above being said, I hope and pray that you will resolve to get rid of the things in your life that are a hinderance and add those that will draw you closer to your Lord and Savior.

With the Love in Christ Jesus brother.
YBIC/Moderator
Nick
\o/