Signs Of Faith: God's Messages To The Faithful

God communicates with us in a variety of ways, and sometimes, He sends signs to guide us and strengthen our faith. However, it's important to be cautious and not confuse these signs with coincidences or manipulation by evil forces. Here are some ways to recognize and interpret signs from God:

- His Word, the Bible: God's Word is the primary source of guidance, and any sign must align with biblical principles. Most other ways God communicates are often confirmations of what He has already spoken in the Bible.

- His Holy Spirit: God speaks to our spirits directly and through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

- Wise Counsel: God confirms His messages through the wisdom and counsel of other believers with proven track records.

- Common Sense: As we grow in Christ, we develop a sense of common sense, moving away from impulsive decisions. Common sense also includes researching and exercising due diligence when seeking God's direction.

- Outward Signs: God uses circumstances, situations, and even the environment to speak to us and confirm His direction.

When interpreting signs, it's crucial to examine their impact on our emotions. Signs from God often bring a sense of peace, even if they lead to challenging situations. In contrast, signs that induce anxiety or contradict biblical teachings may be influenced by other forces. Boldly asking God for a sign, with the right motives and a humble heart, can strengthen our faith and draw us closer to Him.

God communicates through His Word, the Bible

God communicates with people in many different ways. As we study and discuss God's Word, the Bible, the Holy Spirit helps us to understand God's deep desire to connect with us and make Himself known.

The Bible is God's primary way of communicating with us and it is all we need to equip us for the Christian life. To fully understand God's communication with us, we must diligently read, study, memorise, and meditate on His Word.

The Bible teaches us about certain causes and effects, and the "causes" we see around us are signs that the "effects" are coming soon. For example, if someone is being lazy, this is a sign that they will soon be in poverty. If we see these signs, it is a sign that Jesus's second coming will happen soon.

The Bible also teaches us how to apply our knowledge to our lives. For example, in 1 Corinthians 8, Paul teaches the Corinthians when they should eat certain foods and when they should not. In summary, Paul states that Christians are free to eat any food, even if it has been offered to an idol, because Christians know that false gods are not real. However, Paul qualifies these statements by saying that if eating such food would hurt the conscience of a brother or sister in Christ, then they should not eat it.

God also communicates with people directly, "at many times and in various ways" (Hebrews 1:1). For example, the Old Testament records God speaking through a burning bush (Exodus 3), a thick cloud (Exodus 19:9), and in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12).

The ultimate way that God communicates with us is through His son, Jesus (Hebrews 1:1-2). God knew that there was no better way for us to understand His purpose for us than by becoming human and living among us. During his time on earth, Jesus demonstrated both verbal and non-verbal communication as God intends it to be, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

Jesus listened carefully to what people were saying and asked many questions (e.g. John 5:6). By teaching in parables and stories, he showed how truth is revealed in both mystery and simplicity (e.g. Matthew 13). By reaching out his hand to heal and bless, he demonstrated his compassion in ways that words alone could not convey (e.g. Matthew 8:3; Mark 10:16). By weeping over the death of his friend, he revealed how much he values relationships (John 11:35). By spending time with people on the edges of society, he emphasised that the gospel is for everyone (e.g. Matthew 9:10).

God communicates through His Holy Spirit

Firstly, through Scripture. The Bible is the most accessible and direct form of communication from God, and it is the primary way He has communicated and still does. The Spirit inspired the writers to capture God's work, words, will, warnings, and wonders in history. Every word of the Bible is true, alive, and active in our lives.

Secondly, through prayer. Prayer is a dialogue, a two-way conversation. When we pray, God shifts our focus from our needs to His love and power. Through prayer, God conforms our perspective to His purposes; He establishes His priorities for our life, and He leads us into all truth.

Thirdly, through visions, and audible or internal words and ideas. This form of communication is rare, especially in the New Testament, but it does happen. For example, Jesus appeared to Saul, and Ananias in a vision to set Paul on his missionary path.

Lastly, God communicates through other people. God may speak to you through a friend, a parent, a pastor, or even a stranger. God confirmed the calling of Paul through Ananias; and Barnabas convinced the church in Jerusalem to accept Paul despite his past.

The Holy Spirit communicates in other ways, too. For example, through our circumstances, creation, angels, prophets, dreams, and even a donkey!

God communicates through wise counsel

The Bible says, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14). Seeking wise counsel is a sign of maturity and humility. When we are faced with challenging decisions, we can pray and read God's Word for guidance, but sometimes we still feel confused and uncertain. In these moments, it is beneficial to seek advice from other wise and godly people.

The Bible makes clear the benefit of godly counsel and the harm that can come from ungodly counsel. Proverbs 12:5 states, "The thoughts of the righteous are just; but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful." Therefore, when seeking counsel, it is crucial to examine the character, values, and motives of the person providing advice. Receiving counsel from someone with a vested interest in the outcome or from someone giving advice based on their fears or insecurities can lead us astray. Instead, we should seek advice from people who know and love God, seek His will, and will faithfully uphold the truth of His Word.

As we weigh the counsel we receive, we should ask ourselves if the advice aligns with the character and nature of God as portrayed in the Bible. We should test the counsel to ensure it is true, honest, just, pure, loving, and glorifying to God. Ultimately, our trust should be in God, who can use people to impart wisdom and guide us along our life path.

God communicates His counsel to us through Scripture, which contains all that He wants us to know about His glory and our salvation. We can rely on the Bible as the ultimate source of truth and guidance. As stated in 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Scripture is necessary to make us "wise for salvation through faith in Christ" and to "thoroughly furnish the church for every good work."

Additionally, God communicates through the circumstances He allows to happen in our lives. He is sovereign and in control of everything that does or does not occur. For example, if we pray for healing for a loved one and they recover, it is a sign that God's will was for them to get well. On the other hand, if they pass away, it indicates that God had a different plan.

God also speaks to us through our conscience, as stated in Romans 10:17, "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." As we study the Bible and converse with God in prayer, we get to know Him intimately, and it becomes easier to have faith in Him.

God desires to have an intimate and loving relationship with us, and He communicates through His Word, through wise counsel, through our circumstances, and even through signs.

God communicates through common sense

Common sense is our natural ability to make good judgments and behave in a practical and sensible way. It is the sense that tells us not to approach a dangerous dog or jump into a fire, as we will get hurt. It also tells us that some things are inevitable or impossible, such as needing a parachute if we jump out of a plane.

However, when it comes to matters of faith, common sense may tell us that something is impossible, but God can make the impossible possible. For example, common sense tells us that we need a boat to stay afloat on water, but faith tells us that if we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can walk on water.

While it is important to use our common sense in many areas of life, we must also be open to God's leading and trust that He can do the impossible. This is where faith comes in. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is believing in what is true, even when we cannot see it.

God may send us signs to strengthen our faith and lead us in the right direction. These signs can take various forms, such as an inner sense or impression, circumstances, or through His Word, the Bible. For example, if we are facing a difficult decision, we may feel God leading us in a certain direction through a sense of peace or confirmation in our spirits. We may also see God's hand at work in the circumstances around us, confirming His will for our lives. Additionally, we can find guidance and direction in the principles and teachings of the Bible.

As we seek to follow God and live according to His will, we can trust that He will communicate with us through both our common sense and our faith. He will give us wisdom and discernment to make good decisions, and He will also lead us through our faith and trust in Him, even when it seems illogical or impossible.

God communicates through outward signs

Secondly, God communicates through His Word, the Bible. Most of the other ways God speaks to us serve to confirm something He has already spoken in the Bible. God won't speak to you in a way that contradicts or rejects His Word.

Thirdly, God communicates through His Holy Spirit. He speaks to us directly in our spirit and by the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Fourthly, God communicates through wise counsel. God speaks and confirms things to us as we seek wisdom and counsel from other believers with a proven track record.

Finally, God communicates through common sense. Those who come to Christ usually desire to grow in common sense and move away from doing impulsive and foolish things. Common sense also includes doing research and due diligence when seeking God's direction.

In addition to these outward signs, it is important to remember that God communicates through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the promised Messiah and Son of God, and through His birth, life, death, and resurrection, He reveals God's faithfulness to us.

Frequently asked questions