The Tug-of-War: Your Fears vs. Faith in God. Which voice are you following?

In the big picture of life, we find ourselves in constant motion, running either toward something or away from it. It's a dichotomy deeply woven into the human experience, a profound interplay between the positive pull of seeking God's will and the negative force of isolating ourselves from His guidance.

There are things we wisely flee from—sin, evil, idolatry, addictions, hate, and anger. These are the shadows we instinctively retreat from, or should, for they obscure the path of righteousness. Scripture echoes this wisdom:

1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV): "Flee from sexual immorality."

1 Corinthians 10:14 (NIV): "Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry."

1 Timothy 6:11 (NIV): "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness."

Yet, on the other side of this very coin, we may also find ourselves fleeing from the path God intends us to tread. The pursuit of growth, service to others, teaching the gospel, and alignment with His divine will often demands us to take bold strides toward the unknown.

But how do we distinguish between fleeing out of faith and obedience or fleeing out of fear and self-will?

In our search for clarity, discernment becomes our beacon, illuminating the way. It's discernment that guides us to recognize whether we are running from the calling God has ordained for us or running toward His divine purpose. It's a crucial gift bestowed upon us, empowering us to distinguish between the flight from obedience and the flight toward destiny.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Psalm 32:8 (NIV): "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."

You cannot have godly discernment without reading the Bible. This is not optional; it is essential. It's imperative to cast aside any complacency or reluctance when it comes to engaging with the Scriptures. You cannot delegate the responsibility of understanding God's Word to anyone else—whether it be a church, a parent, a spouse, a friend, or even your own inner doubts. Any notion or influence suggesting otherwise, including self-doubt, is contrary to the divine truth and is a distortion of God's wisdom, fueled by a spirit opposed to God, with one intention: to keep you blind, fearful, and shrouded in darkness. Here is a better explanation:

Imagine you're at a lively party or a bustling park with your child. Amidst the laughter, conversations, and general commotion, you're engrossed in a book or scrolling through your phone. Yet, despite the surrounding noise, you can effortlessly discern your child's laughter or cry from a distance. Their voice stands out like a beacon, and you understand their needs with crystal clarity.

This profound ability to recognize your child's voice in the midst of chaos is born of a deep, intimate relationship cultivated over time. It's the countless hours spent together, the shared experiences, and the unwavering bond you share that grant their voice a unique and unmistakable presence in your life.
In much the same way, understanding and recognizing God's voice amid the clamor of the world requires a similar intimacy. 

Just as you intimately know your child's voice because of your close relationship, reading the Bible and spending time with God allows you to become familiar with His voice. It's through this ongoing relationship and shared experiences that His voice becomes a guiding light, standing out amidst the noise of life, and His divine messages become perfectly clear to you because you easily recognize His voice even while others are speaking.

So, like the parent who knows their child's voice anywhere, dive into the depths of the Bible and nurture your connection with God. It's through this intimate journey that His voice will become as unmistakable as your child's, guiding, protecting, and teaching you with unparalleled clarity.

As we navigate this intricate interplay between fleeing from and rushing toward various aspects of our lives, may we earnestly seek the gift of discernment. Let us grow adept at distinguishing between our personal desires propelling us or the divine currents of God's will carrying us forward. It's within this discernment & learning His voice that we unearth the profound essence of our journey—a path that ultimately leads us to our higher purpose.

Scriptures illuminate both the affirmative pursuit of solitude for a profound connection with God and the detrimental act of deliberately distancing oneself from society and God's divine plan.  These scriptures highlight the importance of seeking solitude for spiritual growth and intimacy with God, but they also caution against isolating oneself intentionally from healthy relationships and the Christian community, as this can lead to negative outcomes. 

The key is to find a balance between moments of solitude for spiritual reflection and the cultivation of meaningful relationships within the context of God's will.

Positive Aspect - Seeking Solitude for Intimacy with God:

1. Psalm 46:10 (NIV): "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." This verse emphasizes the importance of stillness and solitude to recognize God's presence.

2. Matthew 6:6 (NIV): "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." This verse encourages private and intimate prayer as a means to connect with God.

3. Mark 1:35 (NIV): "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Jesus often sought solitude to commune with God.

Negative Aspect - Isolating Oneself from Society and God's Will:

1. Proverbs 18:1 (NIV): "An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels." This verse warns against isolating oneself and pursuing selfish interests.

2. 1 Corinthians 5:11 (NIV): "But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people." While this verse addresses specific sinful behavior, it highlights the importance of maintaining appropriate relationships within the Christian community.

3. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV): "Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This verse underscores the significance of gathering with fellow believers and not isolating oneself from the Christian community.

4. Proverbs 18:24 (NIV): "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Isolating oneself from meaningful relationships can lead to negative consequences.

Wisdom guides us to flee from destructive forces like sin, evil, and hate, as Scripture advises. Yet, we must also discern when to move away from our comfort zones and embrace God's calling. This discernment is nurtured through a profound relationship with God, anchored by reading the Bible.

The Bible serves as our compass in this journey, helping us recognize God's voice amid life's chaos, just as a parent identifies their child's voice in a bustling park. By seeking this discernment, we navigate the delicate balance between running away from God's call and running toward our divine purpose, ultimately finding our way in the grand tapestry of life.

Amanda Allen

www.KingdomRevelations.com

"Dust off your Bible, and embrace a life steered by God's guidance—a voyage towards victory, happiness, and purpose."~~aa