Michelle du Toit

Q5. (Proverbs 11:14) Why is it valuable to counsel with spiritual people in the Christian community when we’re learning to discern God’s voice? How is having a spiritual mentor helpful? What is the danger of always going to another person to confirm God’s word? Why is out-growing a mentor a common occurrence? Older believers pass on treasures they themselves have received from the Lord. Their teaching and mentoring guides us along the path we should walk. Which is why body of Christ is vital to a young believers spiritual growth. A specific mentor/s within a body, can "do life" with a person teaching them to read scripture, pray and seek the Lord's counsel in different situations. Their advice and counsel can be helpful in discerning the voice of God amongst all the other voices. However, as we mature, we may become lazy in seeking the Lord for ourselves, and feel comfortable to rely on what other people have received from the Lord, rather than what we have received ourselves. LIke getting a story second-hand, or becoming comfortable in a relationship so that you don't feel you have to work so hard anymore. Out growing a mentor is the final goal. It says that they have taught you everything they know and you are ready to move on to do even greater things than they have. A mentor may be replaced by a new mentor to continue the process, since our ultimate mentor is Jesus. Outgrowing the need for a specific mentor, may be that process of moving on and being more independent of the help that they offered in the past, as you seek to apply all that they have taught you and seek to follow hard after the Lord yourself.

Q4. (Mark 14:36; 1 Peter 3:7) Why is it necessary to recognize and then surrender our desires when we are seeking God’s will. What happens if we neglect to do this? How can holding on to sin distort what you think you are hearing from God? Our own desires are not always obvious to us, may even be disguised in what we call our personality and character, since we have always been like that. In my own life, my own desires basically come down to avoiding pain in any form. Pain in others and pain in myself. As a result the fear of pain operates strongly in my life and is the motivation behind many of my actions and words. Recognizing how my own desires motivate my actions as opposed to resting in the love of God and trusting Him, is part of learning to surrender my desires to Him. It is a continual process of having my hidden desires revealed and then surrendering them to God. When we neglect to do this, it results in fights, quarrels, lack of faith and ultimately prayer-less ness etc. James 4:1-5. When we hold onto sin, the desire for that which sin gives us, becomes greater than our desire for God. God does not tolerate competition for our hearts. He will move to reclaim His place. When we nurse it, we make it harder for God to get through to us. His goal is always to restore relationship and develop an intimate and deep relationship with us. When we fail to deal with sin, we are rejecting this offer.

Q3. (Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 John 2:16). Give an example of what the voice of the flesh – our lusts and desires – might sound like. Give an example of what the voice of the world might sound like. Give an example of what the voice of the devil might sound like. Why is a knowledge of the Scripture necessary for discernment of these voices? Flesh - what I want, or need, or feel I deserve, or wish I had, or constantly dream about. Gives me great pleasure physically. Where I would not have to exercise self control. World - to accumulate (greed), to have, to delight in, to have what others don't, to fulfill an emotional need, to have boasting rights, to be considered important, significant by other people. It works against generosity and service to others. Satan - Get it now, God would want you to have it (red flag - God has made all good things available to me if I ask), God does not care for you, will not come through for you, anything not in line with scripture, the Christian life is too hard, you are not good enough, need to work harder, what is the point, ....you deserve it. Scripture is like medicine. Vitally necessary to correct the mind, attitude and heart from the stain of sin, past sin, a sinful life and a sinful world. Finally, developing an immunity to the ruler of this sinful world. Scripture is where you start, and scripture is where you go everyday as part of "training yourself in righteousness" Scripture is also like an intimate letter from a loved one, telling you the secrets if their heart.

Q2. (Hebrews 5:14) Why will a person have to make mistakes in the process of learning to discern God’s voice? If mistakes are part of the process, how can this be of God at all? I think being human, being in the world, having an enemy and not perfect, means mistakes will be made in the learning process. I personally believe in learning from your mistakes. The Principle: obedience is better than avoiding mistakes. If I think God is speaking to me, I tend to obey anyway and then know if it was Him or not. I have learnt by trial and error. Over time however, as I have matured, I have also learnt to take into account scripture, my conscience, what my spirit says, what I would personally want that would taint it and the wise counsel of good friends who are believers (that themselves hear from God). I have also come to believe that God reveals all things to us by the Holy Spirit and that events and people, will confirm what the Spirit has already told me in my heart, what I have become convinced of by my time in His presence. Rarely He will give me one word and then confirm it with Words from Scripture. Journal ling, often helps me to discern the voice of God more clearly.

Gideon is clarifying what He understands from the Lord, that it will be by "his hand." I think he wants to make sure he understands this correctly, being only a farmer. I think he has already decided to be obedient, he just wants to make sure it is him, being of the smallest clan. The danger of putting out fleeces is that people often use them in a decision making process, rather than doing the hard work of entering into God's presence and seeking out the Lord's council during the decision making process. A quick fix, instantaneous answer method. Rather than a diligent seeking after God's heart, his word and spending time in prayer. Gideon seems to already know what God's will is, he just needs confirmation. He is not using the fleece to find out what God's will is, He already knows that. Instead of using the fleece to establish faith, he already has faith which is strengthened to do the work. I think our hearts make all the difference to God. If we doubt, question or demand from Him, our hearts give us away. But if our hearts are in an attitude to obey whatever He asks and we seek the Lord for confirmation and strengthening in faith, I don't think the Lord would ever mind.

Pride elevates self and your agenda. Says I am more important than God, I am more important than others. My agenda is more important. My desires and wants are more important. When pride sets in, it blocks a heart that is submissive and obedient. It results in taking over control of everything and disobedience.It sets itself up as God. Practice self humbling. Not self humiliating, but as Paul says: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance to the measure of faith God has given you. Rom 12:3 Do it yourself, don't put it off, or wait for others to do it, or wait for circumstances to be humbled. Do it before God has to humble you. (James 4:10) Practice regular circumspection, as this is wise. (Eph 5:15)

Obedience is by definition: 1)To do it 2) immediately 3) to the full requirement 4) with a good attitude, 5) no questions asked. This is how we want our kids to obey. Instead they may take their time to do it, at their convenience, when they feel like it. They may do a half job, or a 95% job, but never actually do it all. They may do another job, a preferred job but not what you asked. They may do it, but with a grudging heart, an angered heart etc that questions your heart and motivation. Finally we may get a hundred and one questions, but they have still not obey and did it. Obedience is in all aspects of obedience and has to be based on a knowledge, love and trust of the person giving the instruction. A servant is slightly different to a child, in the sense that a parent may listen to the child express their emotions, but a servant would never think of expressing their opinion or emotion, or delaying following an instruction. A servant would lose their job if they didn't do exactly what was asked. So it is interesting that the word is servant, not child as a servant recognises the authority he is working under. A servant gives up their own rights in service of the Master. A servant works all the time in the interest of the Master. A servant is willing to serve until death.A servant trusts that the Master will act in his interest by his position and authority as Master. Why, because He is the Master and thus has endeavors greater than the servant may understand and the servant has put himself in service of the Master. Which is why, just serving the Master as required, without seeing the full picture, because I love Him and submitted to serving Him for the rest of my life.

When I think of my closest friends, I feel that they have the "right to speak" into my life. I trust them. However, there are often people who come into your life and then want to have the "right to speak" when I have no idea who they are, or whether they are to be trusted. As a result, I won't listen to their words or trust what they have to say. This "right to speak" is based on getting to know my friend, how they think, what motivates them, their history, their personality, their likes, dislikes, their stories, their passions etc. The more I know them, the more a trust of their character and person is developed in my heart. Because I trust them, I listen to what they say and I value their input. I think it is the same in our relationship with God. Knowing God intimately like this, is the pre-requisite to giving Him "the right to speak" in my life. The more I know Him, the more I value what He has to say and allow it to impact my life, trusting Him for the results. If I do not know Him, I am confused about His voice, motives, passions, all based on lack on knowledge and then fear and distrust. Relationship with God, in KNOWING him is the starting point to listening and hearing Him. Then when hearing Him becomes part of the relationship, and I then couple it with obeying in trust, that becomes a powerful partnership. Which is why we are to "press in" - make it a priority, a primary motivation, a focus of your life. Paul describes a continual process, that never lets up. Not being a spectator to other people having a partnership with God, but rather an active participation in that relationship. It is like being permanently hungry, but no matter how much you eat, you are still hungry.

Eli's counsel to go back and answer the Lord was good advice, almost like a "what's next, what do I do now" answer, when someone does something for the first time. Sad though, that in his mentorship of Samuel, he has taught him religion, but never prepared him for relationship with God Almighty. Perhaps because Eli himself has decided to ignore that relationship. By Samuel calling himself servant, he names himself servant of the Most High God, no longer servant to Eli. Until now he had a relationship with Eli, but now he has a relationship with Almighty God. He has a new title and a new identity. He moves from religion and tradition, to an intimate and personal relationship with God. Who speaks to him, personally. Scripture says that from then on, Samuel no longer allowed himself to let any of the words of the Lord fall to the ground, valuing the relationship with God and treasuring His words. 1 Sam 3:19 I love what JanMary says about the change in the mentorship relationship, this is not always recognised in the mentorship process:when the mentee themselves develops a stonger, more deeper relationship with God, than the mentor. Often mentors will prevent or inhibit their mentees in their spiritual growth, so the fact that Eli admits and confirms that Samuel heard from God is an excellent step as a mentor. That was really good insight JanMary, did not see that. Thank you.

Q4. (Acts 16:6-10; Psalm 27:14) Why does God sometimes not talk to us? Is it always because we aren’t receptive? What should we do when we don’t hear anything from God? Perhaps because He has already given us instruction, or we are not tuned in to Him, or we are proceeding along His path quite well in obedience and love and there is no need to talk. Either way, proceed as He had revealed thus far until He gives other instructions. That said, it is possible to grieve Him by our behavior and attitude to people, and it is possible to have a conscience that is not clean before Him. When He seems quiet, it is good to examine ones heart and attitude, to make corrections and confession. It is good to be quiet, spend time in prayer and wait. But while we wait, we don't opt out of that which He has already revealed to us. Therefore I believe it is important to record in a journal what one understands clearly from the Lord, so that when He is silent, you can refer back to the last conversation you did have with Him. Then keep doing what You understood from Him and wait for more clarity.

Q3. (Acts 5:1-11; 8:23; 14:8-10) Sometimes God nudges you by giving you insight into the spiritual state of people around you. What should you be asking God about once you receive this insight about them? Have you ever had a nudge from God that resulted in a person receiving help? What did you learn from this? I have found that when praying for people, God will show me what to pray for that individual. Very often, not what is observable, but I pray anyway. God has then shown me later that I sensed it right, by revealing more to me in conversation with that person. In mentoring people, this has also helped me. Often the insight is not to communicate to them, but as we study together and converse, the Holy Spirit reveals it to them and then confirms what was already revealed to me. It really helps in knowing what material to work through in our time together. In leading a large mentor ship group, God has often revealed the spiritual state of the group to me and guided me in what topic to deal with next. I often am not sure if it is going to be what they need, but as the year progresses on a theme, the work is confirmed by the impact it has on the group. Often I will study scripture and not have a real sense that it is speaking to me. Later I will be speaking to someone, and then that insight from the scripture will come up in my thoughts. I then share it and it turns out to be exactly the word or insight they needed. From this I have learnt, that God will always provide what is needed to help people and I need not wonder what I will say or teach, but He prepares my heart and deposits His word into me, then when it comes to the time for action, He will reveal exactly what to do and say.

I think the Urim and Thummin are simalar to the yes/no promptings we receive, only we do not need stones to tell us because we have a direct relationship with the Holy Spirit who speaks to us in our hearts. For me peace goes hand in hand with that direction giving. Just as David received instruction, so we can receive instruction too. At any time when we need more information from God, we are able to enter into His presence and ask for greater revelation. When we come and inquire, the Lord reveals to us because He does not keep secrets and the Spirit reveals the heart and mind of God. David did just that in developing a battle plan, and God revealed to him what to do. We often get an impression from the Lord, but fail to pray for greater revelation. I find it a good strategy to ask the Lord to show you more. The only time I have found that the Lord does not show me more, is when He has already given me instructions, or when I don't need more information in order to obey Him.

Q1. (Acts 8:26-40; 16:6-10) Are promptings from the Holy Spirit clear enough when we’re seeking God for direction? Why is “no” just as important an answer as “yes”? Have you ever felt God’s promptings to take some action? If you followed through, what happened? I have never had the experience of full sentences from the Lord, but always just words and nudges. Sometimes it will be a phrase, or a picture, or an impression, or just a feeling. I found this very hard in the beginning, but eventually took the attitude that God is always speaking to me, I am not always listening well. So, eventually, decided obedience was my response. If God sees in me a desire to obey, He will make it more clear when He speaks. So whenever, I have the impression that He is speaking to me, I obey anyway. If it turns out that it is wrong, God will show me very quickly and then at least I know that, is what He does not sound like. By practicing obedience to what I understand as guidance from Him, I have over the years been able to discern His voice more clearly. He has also been gracious and confirmed my obedience with blessings and the manifestation of His working around me. This confirmation that He does, has helped me guard against my own mind and thoughts, or my will getting in the way. A "no" is as important as a "yes". But what has helped, is to take no decision or action, without prayer.If after prayer, there is a sense of peace and a sense that I should proceed, I then obey. But if I have no peace, I do not move forward. I also believe that God has given me a good brain. I take what seems to be the logical next step in prayer, and with peace proceed. Generally peace accompanies my decision making, but I have found that when I am moving in the wrong direction, the peace is lost, or there is a clear word from God. Usually one word. When He gives me a word or picture, I have found that if I keep praying about it, God reveals more about what He needs me to understand. The greatest blessing in listening to these promptings or words is the sense that I am 100% where He wants me to be. In His will, doing what He has revealed to me to do at this moment in my life.

Q4. (Acts 10:19-20) Why was it important for Simon to get a very clear command from the Spirit to go with his visitors? What would he have done if the word weren’t so clear? What does he do when criticized for taking this action (Acts 11:2, 12)? What kind of faith does it take to obey the Spirit and take an action you know you’ll be criticized for later? Do you disobey when you know you might face criticism for obedience? It was against the law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile, so he would not have naturally according to society laws go with the men. He would be criticized for this later. A clear instruction to go, leads him to the house of Cornelius. He is still meditating on the vision, wondering what God is trying to tell him, so being interrupted in this, may have prevented him from going. There was also violence against believers by Roman soldiers, and Cornelius was a high ranking soldier, this may also have prevented him going. Criticism is a natural part of ministering. It is also natural to a walk with the Lord. This is why Jesus said in Matt 5:10-11 " Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." It think to walk with the Lord and not expect insult and criticism is a bit naive. Faith is being convinced of something, with no doubt. And yet, that faith can be as small as a mustard seed. The question really is, what have you become convinced of, that you will stick to your conviction, even when people call you a fool and say unkind things about you. Criticism for obedience is the strategy of the enemy. He does not want us to obey, so he will do whatever he can to undermine the obedience of the saints. Not obey, half obey, obey to 90%. All of it is still disobedience. If the saints disobey, the work of the Master is hampered.

Q3. (Acts 19:21; 20:22-24; 21:12-14) What would have happened if Paul hadn’t been sure of his instructions from the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem? Would you have tried to dissuade him? It’s comforting to receive encouraging words. What level of maturity does it take to receive a direction that might lead us into hardship and danger? What happens when we choose the easy way, when God leads us on a difficult path? I think that Paul, if he had not been absolutely convinced of God's instruction, and felt compelled to go, would have been dissuaded from going to Jerusalem. I guess I too, may have tried to dissuade him, if I had come to the insight of what he was going to. The motivation behind that would always be to avoid pain and hardship. We all want to avoid pain, discomfort, hardship, loss, the things we fear etc. Which is why I think that when it comes to personal life steps, like going to Jerusalem, one has to be personally convinced of what God has told you first. We often as believers are not sure about God's direction, then when we step out, the first thing that is tested is our conviction of God's direction. When I listen to other people making a decision that may lead to pain and hardship, I often look at how they came to that decision. I don't think it is as much spiritual maturity, as maturity in finding truth, being obedient and self discipline. I believe that younger believers often show more obedience and self discipline to the call of God at personal cost, than so called mature believers who have stagnated in their walk with the Lord. One does not have to be a "spiritual giant," one just has to be so in love with God, that if He instructs, you are compelled to obey because of your love for Him, no matter the cost, even "to lay down your life." Choosing the easy way, is choosing not to be obedient to that you have become convinced of. It is simply disobedience. Paul not gong to Jerusalem, when God had told him to, would have been the same as Jonah not going to Nineveh. God's instruction still stands. All disobedience leads to consequences, sometimes those we don't notice.