The Best Question
When it seems like God is leading you somewhere, find out.
My favorite question is, “How do I know it’s God?”
It’s a wonderfully honest question.
Simple.
Rich with backstory questions like, ‘How do I know this is real? What if I’m just an idiot? Maybe this is all wish fulfillment? What if there is no God and I am nuts? What if God is speaking to me but I can only hear myself?”
And on, and on, and on.
“How do I know it’s God?”
I’ve only ever found one answer. You have to try.
Hear me out, I think the logic is sound.
So if this is you, and you think the God of the universe is speaking to you in your heart, through experience, through narrative, out loud… you name it… one of two things is true:
You are crazy.
God is real.
Those are the only options.
And that’s where the question comes in… because what has to happen, to look at the truth of what is happening… is that you or I need to act on what God tells us.
To create data.
We need to listen to the pull, voice, nudge, story, harmonic, vibe… and maybe even the occasional 3rd party prophecy… and see what’s on the other side of that bridge.
…actually ‘do’ the indicated thing.
Because if the God of the universe is speaking to you, you can trust him.
Because if the God of the universe is not speaking to you, best to just find that out.
So you have to test it.
I am keenly aware that I just advised ‘doing what the voices tell you.’
For most of us, that’s going to go fine, no matter the source. You’ll ask for the promotion. You’ll encourage a stranger. You’ll buy the pink golf pants. Whatever.
For some, it’s not that simple.
So, for everyone, I encourage some guardrails.
Be biblical
You’re looking to see if the God of the Bible is really guiding you… look to the Bible. Don’t ever agree to test ideas as ‘from God’ that contradict who He is in the person of Jesus.Be scientific
Science, the discipline of asking questions and testing observable hypothesis, is your friend. If you’re testing a theory, pay attention to what question you asked and what happened.Be curious
Curiosity is your best tool here! How sad the many that may hear directly from God but never bother to check and see. That’s going to be a fun conversation…Look for good
Train your eye to see the positives. As you start walking forward, your willingness to ask, “How do I know it’s God?” turning into awareness that it is God… your eye looking for light will help guide you on the path.
We could even say it as a sentence.
“When examining your heart for the voice of God be curious and look always for the good, remain rational and test good questions, and above all, remember that you know who Jesus is. You’ll recognize Him.”
It is better to test this than not.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
…test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.
Because it is either true or it is not.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Because it is everything or nothing.
Alcoholics Anonymous pg. 53
…crushed by a self-imposed crisis we could not postpone or evade, we had to fearlessly face the proposition that either God is everything or else He is nothing. God either is, or He isn't. What was our choice to be?
Arrived at this point, we were squarely confronted with the question of faith. We couldn't duck the issue.
Because we are better off either hot or cold.
Revelation 3:16
But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!
Because we’re built and designed to be all-in.
Deuteronomy 6:5
…and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.
So… let’s just ask the questions we need to ask.
Don’t sweat it.
Do what we need to do.
And then let’s get on with finding out where He wants to take us.
It may just be an amazing story.
All scripture referenced is NLT unless otherwise noted. I prefer NLT for postural discussion as it is both reasonably rigorous while retaining a conversational tone.
For study I strongly encourage the use of original language tools, multiple translations, and rigorous critical thought.
Please remember that when you read the Bible in English you are always reading someone else’s theological interpretation of the text.