Map Reading 101

Many times in my faith walk I have prayed for instructions and directions clearly mapping out that which God wants me to do. The road map of heavenly guidance is already written in scripture. Knowing how to read that map is vital because sign posts of life will often dispute what you read on the divine map. When God guides and directs you, He does not nullify the scriptures. Neither will He change them to accommodate any voice you may be hearing that says to go right when the scripture map says to go left. If you ‘hear’ direction, make sure it is in agreement with the Word.

Here is a vital 'Map Key' (taken from Scripture Keys to Kingdom Living) ; don't take that first step without it!

When the Lord Speaks, the following is evident:

AN INNER KNOWING, Sometimes He speaks in words not familiar to you or not common to your vocabulary (1 Cor 2:13}

PEACE comes into your soul and you are at rest (John 14:27)

TRUSTING results with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5-6)

CONFIDENCE AND ASSURANCE follow (Isaiah 30:15)

AGREEMENT WITH THE WORD OF GOD, the Bible, God, will not violate His Word for anyone’s convenience (II Peter 1:19)

CONFIRMATION, God always confirms His words to you, especially in guidance for action (II Cor 13:1)

THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST, always acknowledged (I Cor 12:3)

CLARITY, Jesus always speaks clearly and in line with Hid Word, so that you KNOW it is He (II Cor 1:20)

WHEN THE DEVIL OR ANOTHER SPIRIT SPEAKS, the following is evident:

DOUBT, FEAR, DISCOMFORT (II Tim 1:7; Rom 8:15-16)

CONFLICT, RESTLESSNESS, NO PEACE (Jas 3:14-18; Isa 48:22)

LACK OF CLARITY, CONFUSION, If you have to ‘work it out’ forget it! God is not the author of confusion, satan is.

NEGATION OF THE LORD’S COMMANDS to us personally or through Scripture. When god speaks, satan soon says the exact opposite, trying to snatch away the Word. (Matt 13:4, 18, 24-30; Gen 3:4)

LORDSHIP OF CHRIST DENIED, discounted, satan will not call Jesus Christ “Lord” (1 John 4:1-6)

CONDEMNATION, GUILT, DISCOURAGEMENT, satan brings up sins that have already been confessed, forgiven, and forgotten by God (Rom 8:1; I John 3:20; Rev 12:10)

WHEN THE FLESH-SELF SPEAKS, the following is evident:

HESITATION, self has to think before it speaks. God’s Word to us flows easily without any preconceptions due to our carnal mind (Rom 8:5-7; 26-27)

DECEPTION, we can be led astray by our own hearts since we do not fully understand ourselves (Jer 17:9-10). So we must feed on the Word until we become mature (Heb 5:12)

DOUBLE-MINDEDNESS, Wanting two opposite things at the same time results in instability (Jas 1:8). Jesus gives us the “single eye” (Matt 6:22-23) so that we can really want to do God’s will (Phil 2:13). It is the indwelling Spirit that enables us to do this (John 14:16; 16:13)

UNREGENERATE DESIRES, The voice sounds like our own, with our own inflections and intonations, and speaks of the same old desires that you used to indulge in (Jas 1:13-16). Such desires arise from the flesh, and we must consider ourselves dead to those desires (Rom 6:1-4).

Our journey through life will take us on many long and winding roads. It is comforting to know God provided us with a biblical Road Map to follow. So, pack your bags, grab your Bible and Map Keys, Friends, it’s going to be a fascinating trip!