There was a moment, honestly there have been a few, when God has spoken to me and it directly challenged theology that I had picked up somewhere. His own words were coming into direct conflict with what I thought was truth. Now, in these instances I had a choice, and I remember it very well. These were the moments when I had to decide, “Do I believe God more than I believe what I’ve been taught about God?” I always chose God, but even when I did, I would pray, “God, please protect me from being led astray, I feel You are saying ______, but I’ve always thought ______, I trust You. Please confirm this word to my heart and lead me down Your path.” Inevitably, every single time, I would discover a flaw in my originally held theology. I would discover that what I was leaning on in my original thought was an idea from a man, and now God was renewing my mind with His truth.
These were very important moments in my life, and they led me from religion into relationship. These were the moments when I was to decide if my opinion about Jesus was more important than what He was saying to me.
Have you ever experienced this? Have you ever heard God speak something to you that seemed to directly challenge a concept that you felt true about Him? That was when God began to shine His light on the fact that, often we misinterpret things in our youth or are simply (and unintentionally) taught untrue things. It’s a fact we need to at least be aware exists. None of us is perfect, not a single one, so it is more than likely that at some point we will misinterpret or misunderstand God on some level.
The most important part of that is…..how will you respond? Will you pridefully boast, “That is NOT true! I wasn’t taught that way, so it can’t be true.”, or will you go away to your secret place and ask the Father to reveal truth to you. Will you callously remark that whatever was spoken that didn’t align with your thinking had to be wrong because you felt a check inside, or will you go to the quiet place and say, “God, did I have a check in my spirit because that word was wrong, or was it because it hit a place in me where I have been believing a lie?”
When I first tried giving my all to Jesus, I was surrounded by people who were always saying, “That gave me a check in my spirit.” Which isn’t a bad thing, but if you think the only reason you get that tug inside is because someone else is wrong, then you’re missing half the point. Yes, sometimes it’s a tug inside to protect us from something untrue, but not always. Sometimes we get a tug inside because we are being stretched in a new way.
What I’m trying to get you to see is, it’s all about relationship. There is no blanket answer for anything, except Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven. Most other things require a day to day relationship with the Father for us to keep growing and prevent walking in pride and a spirit of religion.
God, please reveal to me any untrue things that I have held to be true. You are the Spirit of Truth, so I receive that Spirit right now to guide me in all things. God, help me walk so closely with You that I begin to see lies more easily. If my heart is drawn to a lie because of an old wound, then please heal that wound. God, guard me from walking in pride. Protect me from a religious spirit. I want to be Yours completely. I want to walk with You all my days. Thank You for Your Presence in my life, in Jesus name, amen.
But wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17
But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
365 Days in the Presence 