Combining six ways God speaks for maximum confidence
Top companies utilize creative brainstorming, intuition and input from a team to create the best products and ensure success. Shall I do anything less, if I want to succeed in marriage, life and Christian spirituality?
Do you think a king THIS WISE needs counsel?
Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore. Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men … and his fame was known in all the surrounding nations. He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005 (1 Kgs. 4:29-32).
Of course, we remember that Solomon got this wisdom from God, as a gift through a dream at night (1 Kgs. 3:12-15).
Solomon, the wisest and most prosperous king ever, said, “Get counsel so you don’t fall.”
Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety (Prov. 11:14 NKJV).
Rehoboam rejected wise, mature counsel which resulted in his losing 10 of the 12 tribes he was to govern.
He forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him (1 Kgs. 12:6-11).
To make wise decisions, I choose to “put off” and “put on” the following:
- I choose to put off slavish obedience to the traditions of men (Mk. 7:8,9).
- I choose to put off pride and confidence in my logical reasoning abilities (Isa. 55:8-11; Jas. 3:14-18).
- I choose to put on meekness and honor for the voice of God (Jn. 6:63).
- I choose to put on the belief that I can fix my eyes on Jesus, tune to His voice within and hear, record and obey what He is saying (Heb. 12:1,2; Jn. 10:27; Gal. 5:25; Hab. 2:1,2; Rev. 1:9-11).
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words (rhemas) that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life (Jn. 6:63).
I choose to receive counsel from people which together embody the following five complementary heart motivations (Eph. 4:7,11-16)
- Apostle – heart for servant leadership which ensures that all the voices are heard, honored and integrated into the final decision
- Prophet – heart for divine creativity
- Evangelist – heart for sharing the good news
- Pastor – heart for loving people
- Teacher – heart that passionately seeks out truth
The Bible promises I will come to maturity (Eph. 4:13) if I can seek out, honor (1 Pet. 2:17) and integrate the wisdom and counsel from people expressing the above five heart motivations.
Intention: “I will make wise decisions by using The Leader’s Paradigm which combines six ways God speaks.”
The problem or situation I need to resolve is ____________________________________.
Six ways God speaks to confirm His will |
Scripture |
What the experience of this is sensed as |
Journal out
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# 1 - Illumined Scripture: God turns logos (written words) into rhema (spoken words) |
And they said one to another, “Did not our hearts burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32) |
This is experienced as the Holy Spirit illumines Scriptures to you — you sense verses leaping off the page or just coming to your attention spontaneously. |
Record the Bible story or Bible principle which the Lord brings to your mind that relates to the problem/issue which is being addressed… |
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# 2 - Illumined Thoughts in One’s Mind: Spirit-led reasoning, which is reasoning guided by the flow of the Holy Spirit, which occurs as you prayerfully ponder while your eyes are fixed on Jesus |
It seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus (Luke 1:3) |
This pillar is experienced as the Holy Spirit guiding your reasoning process through spontaneous impressions.  |
Record thoughts and pictures you receive while you are in Jesus’ presence (Ps. 73:16-17).  |
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# 3 - Illumined Witness in One’s Heart  |
And immediately when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, He said unto them, “Why reason ye these things in your hearts?” (Mark 2:8) |
This pillar is experienced as an impression perceived in your spirit. Deep inner peace or unrest is often part of this experience. |
While in Jesus’ presence (Ps. 73:16-17) which answer gives your heart peace? Which answer gives your heart unrest? |
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# 4 - Illumined Counsel of Others Your goal is to receive spiritual counsel from people exemplifying the five heart motivations of Eph. 4:7-11 |
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. (Proverbs 11:14) |
This pillar is experienced as you ask your spouse, others involved, and your spiritual advisors for input as to what they sense the heart of the problem is, and what solution will fully address it. |
Record what they tell you, and pray about it, asking God to show you the truth and value in what they have spoken, and how it could be weaved in as part of the final solution… |
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# 5 - Illumined Understanding of Life’s Experiences |
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (Matthew 7:16)  |
This pillar is experienced as you ask God to give insight and understanding concerning the fruit life is demonstrating. God gives you revelation as to what has caused the fruit. |
Record thoughts and pictures you receive while you are in Jesus’ presence (Ps. 73:16-17).  |
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# 6 - Illumined Revelation from God Through Dreams, Visions, Prophecy and Journaling |
“And it shall come to pass in the last days,” saith God, “I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17) |
This pillar is experienced as you receive direct revelation from God through dreams, visions and journaling. Journaling is writing out your prayers and God’s answers. |
Record thoughts and pictures you receive while you are in Jesus’ presence (Ps. 73:16-17). |
My decision after applying The Leader's Paradigm is ____________________________.
Summary
Never make a major decision if any of the above six indicators are flashing RED. Five green and one neutral would be fine, but five green and one red means you still do not have the full mind of the Lord on the matter. So continue seeking, as you don’t want to wander and die in the wilderness. Wise decisions let you get to your Promised Land!
The Leader's Paradigm is a broad-based method for knowing. The Emmaus Road is one such example of coming to truth (Lk. 24:13-35).
- Scripture - Jesus explained to the disciples the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures
- Mind - their theology was changed with this illumined scriptural revelation. They went from gloom to joy
- Heart - Were not our hearts burning within us as He was opening Scriptures
- Counsel of others – the women shared that they had seen a vision of angels who said that Jesus was alive
- Life experiences – The two disciples experienced Jesus and then they shared their experience with the other disciples
- Revelation - as Jesus blessed the bread the disciples'Â eyes were opened and they recognized Him
Resources
- Diagram of the Six Pillars of The Leader’s Paradigm
- Hard copy training package on How Leaders Make Decision
- Download this article - Plain text version (or) version with charts and color
- How Does the BIBLE Say We Discover Truth?
- The Treasure Chest – Spirit-Led Prayer Organizer: Devotionals to Meet Your Specific Needs
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