How Can I Know That It's Actually God's Voice?
Summary
TLDRFather Mike Schmitz discusses discerning the voice of God amidst the cacophony of worldly, fleshly, and demonic voices. He outlines a four-step process: checking if the voice contradicts scripture, aligns with the Church's teachings, resembles trustworthy individuals, and finally, taking action to see if it bears fruit. He shares a story of Father Scott, who followed a perceived divine nudge, leading to a meaningful encounter, illustrating the importance of acting on spiritual promptings to discern God's will.
Takeaways
- π Father Mike Schmitz discusses discerning the voice of God from other voices like the world, the flesh, and the devil.
- π The first step to discern God's voice is to check if it contradicts anything in scripture.
- βͺ The second step is to ensure the voice does not contradict the teachings of the Catholic Church, which is the legitimate interpreter of scripture.
- π€ The third step involves evaluating if the voice resembles someone untrustworthy or someone who has hurt you in the past.
- πΆ Father Mike references the band Smashmouth to emphasize that one will never know if it's God's voice unless they act on it.
- π The fourth step is to act on the perceived voice and then assess the fruits of that action to determine if it was God's guidance.
- π Father Scott's story illustrates how acting on a perceived voice led to a fruitful encounter, even if it didn't initially seem to align with his intentions.
- π± The concept of 'fruit' in discernment refers to the positive outcomes, such as increased life, joy, peace, and holiness, that result from following the perceived voice.
- πͺ Father Mike encourages listeners to be bold in asking God for guidance and then to take a step forward to see if the door opens or if it's a wall.
- π₯ The video concludes with an invitation to trust in God's guidance and to remember that discernment is an active process of listening and responding.
Q & A
How can one discern if a voice they hear is the voice of God?
-One should first check if the voice contradicts anything in scripture. The voice should not go against the teachings of the Church, which is the legitimate interpreter of scripture. Additionally, it should not sound like someone unreliable or someone who has hurt them in the past. Finally, one will only know if it's God's voice by acting on it and assessing the fruits of that action.
What role does the Holy Spirit play in discerning God's voice?
-The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth and helps us interpret scripture. It's through the Holy Spirit that the Church, established by Jesus Christ, has the authority to interpret scripture and guide believers.
Why is it important to consider whether the voice contradicts scripture?
-Scripture is the word of God, and any voice claiming to be from God should align with it. Contradictions indicate that the voice may not be from God, as God's word is consistent.
How does the Church's authority relate to discerning God's voice?
-The Church, as established by Jesus Christ, has the authority to interpret scripture and guide believers in discerning God's voice. If a voice contradicts the Church's teachings, it is less likely to be from God.
What is the significance of the question 'Who does the voice sound like' in discernment?
-This question helps to identify if the voice resembles someone who has been hurtful or unreliable in the past. If it does, it's a sign that the voice may not be from God, as God's voice is not meant to wound but to heal.
Why is it suggested to ask the Holy Spirit for clarity when discerning voices?
-The Holy Spirit provides guidance and clarity in spiritual matters. Asking for the Holy Spirit's help can assist in discerning whether a voice is from God or not.
What is the role of action in discerning if a voice is God's?
-Action is essential because it allows one to test the voice against the outcomes it leads to. If the action leads to more life, joy, peace, and holiness, it may be an indication that the voice was from God.
What is the story of Father Scott and the hinge, and what does it illustrate about discernment?
-Father Scott prayed for guidance on whether to go to Home Depot or Menards for a hinge. He chose Home Depot, where he couldn't find the hinge but met a man in need of spiritual guidance. This story illustrates that discerning God's voice involves taking action and looking for the fruit of that action, even if it doesn't initially seem to fulfill the original intention.
How does the story of Father Scott demonstrate the importance of obedience in discernment?
-Father Scott's obedience to what he believed was God's guidance, even though it didn't lead to finding the hinge, ultimately led him to help someone in a time of crisis. This shows that obedience to perceived divine guidance can lead to unexpected but meaningful outcomes.
What is the significance of the phrase 'you'll never know if you don't go' in the context of discerning God's voice?
-This phrase emphasizes that without taking action, one cannot truly discern if a voice is from God. It's through action and its consequences that one can better understand the source of the voice.
Outlines
π Discerning God's Voice
Father Mike Schmitz discusses the challenge of discerning whether a voice one hears in prayer is God's or not. He suggests three criteria to evaluate the voice: 1) Does it contradict Scripture? 2) Does it contradict the teachings of the Church? 3) Does it sound like someone who has hurt or is unreliable? He emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit's guidance and the need to act on the perceived voice to discern its authenticity, as only then can one assess if it leads to fruitful outcomes.
π οΈ Acting on Divine Guidance
Father Mike shares a story about Father Scott, who, while needing a hinge for a carpentry project, prayed for guidance on whether to go to Home Depot or Menards. Despite not finding the hinge at Home Depot, Father Scott encountered a man in crisis who needed pastoral care. This experience illustrates that acting on perceived divine guidance, even when it doesn't lead to the desired immediate outcome, can result in spiritual fruit. Father Mike encourages viewers to be bold in seeking and acting on God's voice, as the true nature of the guidance becomes clearer through action and its consequences.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Discernment
π‘Scripture
π‘Church
π‘Holy Spirit
π‘Evil One
π‘Flesh
π‘World
π‘Voice
π‘Fruit
π‘Action
Highlights
Father Mike Schmitz discusses discerning the voice of God amidst other voices.
The importance of scripture as a guide to identify God's voice.
The role of the Catholic Church in interpreting scripture and guiding discernment.
The potential for the evil one to quote scripture and the need for discernment.
The necessity to check if a voice contradicts the teachings of the Church.
The personal nature of discerning if a voice sounds like someone untrustworthy.
The concept that God's voice may sometimes wound to heal, unlike the accuser's intent.
The idea that one might never know if it's God's voice unless they act on it.
The story of Father Scott and the Home Depot encounter as an example of acting on God's voice.
The importance of assessing the fruits of one's actions to discern God's voice.
The invitation to be bold in asking God for guidance and then taking action.
The reality that one may never be certain if it was God's voice until they take a step.
The metaphor of not needing to jump off a cliff but taking a step to see if a door opens.
Father Mike's personal reflection on the value of making mistakes and the lack of outtakes in his recent talks.
Transcripts
the good news bad news is you won't
know it's like what Smashmouth said
you'll never know if you I'm not going
to do it hi my name is father Mike
Schmitz and this is as Cen presents how
do I know that uh the voice I'm hearing
is the voice of God right if I'm in
prayer I'm trying to discern the next
step for my life or for just today how
do I know that it's not just me how do I
know that it's God's voice how do I know
it's not the evil one how would I know
it's not the world you know St Paul says
that we have some enemies that we Face
we Face three enemies he names he says
he says the world the Flesh and the
devil every one of those has a voice and
so how do I know that the voice I'm
hearing is God's voice when there's all
these other voices that are trying to
get my attention trying to get me to
move here's some steps this is we going
to be very important first is does that
voice contradict anything in scripture
does that because we have the word of
God right the word of God has been given
to us um by the Holy Spirit through the
Catholic Church all 73 books so does
this voice this invitation this uh word
of command does it contradict scripture
sometimes we're like the thing I really
feel inclined towards or the thing I
really feel drawn towards I think this
might be right to do goes directly
against what God has said to do so the
first thing is does it go against
scripture now at the same time we know
that the evil one can quote scripture we
have right we have the Jesus being
tempted in the wilderness and what does
the evil one do the evil one actually
quotes scripture to Jesus and so it's
not just a matter of does this go
against scripture because even the evil
one can quote scripture who is the
legitimate interpreter of scripture
Jesus Christ has established a church on
Earth and he's promised to that church I
will lead you into all truth I'll give
you the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit
will lead you into all truth and so he
also promised to Peter right the Gates
of Hell will not Prevail against this
Kingdom this church that I'm
establishing on Earth so we know that
the church has been given the authority
to interpret scripture so the second
question is does this voice contradict
the church the actual living and
teaching the men Adian right the
magisterial teachings of the church so
first of all does it contradict
scripture but we know again the evil one
can quote scripture and so that voice
can also be erroneous and quote
scripture so it does doesn't go against
the legitimate interpreter of scripture
which is the teaching Office of the
Catholic Church number one of two says
it go against scripture or tradition
number three this gets really more
personal in some ways here I am I'm in
prayer and I'm thinking okay here's what
I here's the voice I hear the question
you get to ask again it hasn't
contradicted RT hasn't cont contradicted
the church the question I get to ask is
who does that voice sound like now this
can be a dangerous question which is why
it's very important to call upon the
holy spirit ask the holy spirit for
clarity here who does that voice sound
like when you hear those words have you
ever heard those words spoken in Life or
even the tone of that voice if the
speaker of those words is not
trustworthy then most likely that's not
the voice of God especially especially
if those if those words um have
corrupted your heart right especially if
those words have wounded your heart with
not not wounding to heal right that we
know the Lord God is is is the Divine
physician and so sometimes he wounds in
order to heal us but we know that Satan
is the accuser and he wounds just to
wound us he wounds to us and so
does that voice sound like someone who
said a word that you knew you couldn't
trust them when they said those words
they said those words just to hurt you
I'm not trying to pick on anyone's
parents at all but sometimes it could be
the case I'm talking with our students
and they'll say well I hear that voice
in prayer it sounds like my mom or it
sounds like my dad and in this context
they would say and my my dad or my mom
is my my harshest critic I can't do
anything to please them they're they're
impossible to to make happy and so
sometimes I hear God saying hey you need
to do more you need to do more you need
to do more and it sounds like my dad who
would always say you need to do more or
I feel like I'm not good enough I'm not
good enough I'm not good enough and
that's God's voice saying you're not
good enough but it sounds like my mom so
that voice in my head sounds like that
parent right or it sounds like whatever
that authority figure
is the first question does it contradict
scripture second does it contradict
tradition the third question does it
sound like someone that you know is
unreliable right then you know you can't
trust no I'm not saying you can't no one
can trust their parents because lot
there a lot of good parents out there
but sometimes we have moments where our
parents said words that were not helpful
they just hurt sometimes we have
teachers or coaches or friends even in
our lives they said those words and they
not helpful they're just
hurtful if that voice sounds like one of
them pause for a second so that's that
my first three questions is how do I
know if this is the voice of God
well scripture tradition who does it
sound like but the fourth question is or
fourth kind of Step I guess to say is
ultimately though even if this word that
I think maybe the voice of God doesn't
contradict scripture and even if it
doesn't contradict the church and even
if it doesn't necessarily sound like
someone who's hurt me in the past how do
I know this is the voice of God
Smashmouth the band said you never know
if you don't go you know Allstar the
song okay that's ridiculous now we just
went off the edge the truth is I will
never know if this is the voice of God
unless I act on it now again keep this
in mind this if this thing this step
clearly does not contradict scripture
right so it's not like God has already
said don't do this thing I'm like but
let me just test it out like no if it's
doesn't contradict scripture tradition
or sound like you know the voice of
someone who hurts me or hates me I won't
know this is the voice of God until I
act on it and that's that's the the hard
truth as I won't know if this is the
voice of God until I act on it and then
I have to assess the fruits was that
fruitful was it not fruitful was it
something that that brought more life
more joy more peace more Holiness or was
it something that didn't now not just in
the immediate because in the immediate
sometimes I just experience a relief or
a release But ultimately did this bear
fruit have a a good friend he's brother
priest in our dasis his name is Father
Scott father Scott they all come out
call him Papa Scott Papa Scott's the
best he's he's awesome he is a number of
years younger than me but he's just this
intense man he has this uh he wears a
Catholic like he has his work cathic and
he has his his regular cathic he's also
a carpenter so he's like really holy
prays a lot super Dynamic just shares
the gospel in such a powerful way so
here's father Scott and father Scott's
working on some carpentry things and he
needs a hinge and he's and he's got he
said he's got his we're cagon so he's
got paint all over the place and there's
all other you know it's torn stained all
these things and he's going to I'm going
to go to Home Depot he's like well
actually you know wait a second
Home Dep are Menards and rather than
just choosing like I'm going to go to
Menards he said okay God where do you
want me to go Home Depot or Menards we
might think like that's a ridiculous
question he's like I understand that if
I had the impulse to go to Menards but
went to Home Depot it was not like I'm
committing a sin I'm just asking God God
I could do anything I could go to either
of these two stores or maybe even any
other which one of these two do you want
me to go to you know I kind of got the
sense that God wants me to go to I'm
just going to pick Home Depot so he's
okay I'll go to Home Depot that seems
God seems like you want me to go here so
he goes to Home Depot and he goes in
there and he can't find the hinge can't
find this thing the part that one part
he needs but at one point he did what no
other people usually do he asked for
help and so he asked this guy walks up
to him with his work cassic on and he
says hey do you have this hinge and the
guy working at Home Depot was like I'm
sorry you we don't have that hinge um
but wait are you a priest yeah kind of
he's like of course I am and he's like
okay and this man had this whole story
about he was raised Catholic but had
been away from the church he had he had
gone through like these crisis and
trials in his life and just was in a
place of desperation and father Scott
was like well can can I pray with you
right now and so here they are in Home
Depot and father Scott's praying with
this man who just opened up his heart to
him but father Scott was realizing he's
like okay so I asked the Lord where do
you want me to go Home Depot or Menards
God said Home Depot but not to get the
hinge he said Home Depot because to get
that that guy right to to interact with
this man who is in a place of Crisis
because God loves people and if we ask
God God where do you want me to go where
do you want me to speak what do you want
me to not
speak he might direct us in a place that
doesn't give us the hinge the thing we
want but might lead us to a place where
we get what he wants now there's no way
for father Scott to ever have any clue
of whether that was the voice of God
saying go to Home Depot until he chose
to act on The Voice he thought he heard
and same thing is true for us we ask the
questions okay God does this go against
scripture does it go against the church
does it go does it go uh sound a lot
like the voice of the accuser and then
lastly we just say
okay I'm I need to act and I will never
know if this is your voice God until I
take a step no you don't have to take a
leap it's not like jumping off a cliff
it's just taking one step forward and
saying is there fruit here or is there
not fruit here is this door opening or
is it simply a wall that is sealed shut
I don't think walls are sealed shut we
won't know until we move so here is the
invitation be bold ask the
Lord and then act and you'll know okay
that was God's voice or no might have
just been a good idea anyways for here
to S presents my name is father Mike God
bless okay you know what I you know what
I miss I miss doing outakes I miss
messing up you I haven't screwed up in a
long time I've had this cough in case
you're wondering it sounds gross anyways
um uh
Browse More Related Video
4 Helpful Rules for Discernment
ANDRΓ FERNANDES | NΓO DΓ ACESSO A QUALQUER UM | LAGOINHA ALPHAVILLE
How Can I Know God's Will? #discernment
He Will Show You His Will | Timeless Truths β Dr. Charles Stanley
How to Know Satan is Trying to Lead you as the Holy Spirit | APOSTLE JOSHUA SELMAN
Why God Gave Us Bodies #theologyofthebody
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)