Who Told You That?
It’s important to know where your information comes from. From the Army’s intel, “Terrorist have created a new threat to our country?” to how you knew to bring an umbrella, “A high chance of rain is expected today.” Whenever we’re accepting new information into our minds, it’s important to know who this information came from. Is it a reliable source? I will never take financial advice from a five year old; my retirement plan would consist of cotton candy and gummy bears. Also, no one should trust everything they read on the internet. In the same way, it’s important that we get our information from a reliable source; especially when it comes to our relationship with God. Choosing our source carefully will improve your evangelism, solidify your salvation and refine your purpose in the ministry.
Genesis 3:8-11
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
The Valentines Day Gala was a huge success this year!
God didn’t inform Adam that he was naked and He didn’t encourage Adam to run and hide. Adam ate the forbidden fruit and saw himself naked before God. How do you view yourself? Are you where you want to be spiritually before God? Or do you find yourself saying: “I’m not the right person; I’m useless; I won’t even make a difference; No one loves me; My life is a waste; Nothing is going to work out for me.”? These type of thoughts must stop! God didn’t give you this negative view. God didn’t tell you, “Your life is a waste.” To often, we represent the life of Adam; Someone who ate the forbidden fruit and saw himself naked and hid. God’s plan was for us to be happy, obey and fill the Earth, but we decided to live another way. We’re full of negativity and cry out to God explaining our doubt, faithlessness, insecurities, worries, guilt and tell him we have nothing left. I believe God’s response to how we view ourselves must be identical to his response toward Adam in the garden. In what parts of your life would God look at you and ask, “Who told you that?” “Who told you it had to be that way?” As disciples, one of our goals consist of seeking and saving the lost (evangelism). One of the most common causes of not achieving this goal is doubt and faithlessness. When I focus on meeting new people and sharing my faith, I doubt I’ll meet someone who has been praying for a church. I feel like I will only waste another hour of my day. Where did this doubt come from? Did it come from God? When I feel compelled to open my mouth and invite the person at the store, in my class, at work or even right in front of me, to come to church, why is it that I stay silent? It’s because I doubt they will say yes. This doubt did not come from God! Who told you they wouldn’t come to church? Who told you that they aren’t looking for a relationship with God? Just as Adam ate the forbidden fruit and saw himself naked before God, We have forbidden thoughts of doubt and faithlessness and appear useless before our LORD. Faithlessness, Doubt, Insecurity, Timidity and unbelief must be recognized as forbidden thoughts. These thoughts give you knowledge of where you stand before the world, but God’s plan is to focus on where you stand before him. When people are exposed to the gospel they learn the impact of their sin; this truth can leave us feeling naked. A need for salvation is found. In an attempt to hide the shame of sin, and our separation from God due to our iniquities, we see so many people that run behind a false doctrine. Adam gained knowledge that was not God’s plan. In the same way, people gain a way of salvation that is not from God, leaving him to ask, “Who told you that?”
Person: “I don’t need a baptism, it’s only a symbol.”
God: “Who told you that?!”
Person: “I prayed Jesus into my heart, I’m saved.”
God: “Who told you that?!”
Person: “My parents gave me an Infant/Child baptism, I’m saved…
God: “Who told you that?!”
There are so many thoughts and religions that people live their life by, and they didn’t get it from God! Adam learned he was naked, he did not get that information from God! What thoughts or beliefs do you have in your life that, if viewed by God, would raise the question: “Who told you that?” We must recognize, if there is any thought that doesn’t come from God, then it was from satan. God does not encourage us to doubt, worry, lack faith or believe a lie. God tells us exactly what we need to hear through his Word.
John 12:48
48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.
Some of the men who helped put together the Valentine’s Day Gala!
Let’s ask ourselves today, “Who told me that?” because if your life and doctrine does not match the Bible, you may find yourself in judgement, with God asking, “Who told you that?” I’m at a point in my life where I’m confident in my doctrine and I fear God in the way I live my life, in other words, I’ve been watching my life and doctrine closely. Yet, the concept of asking, “who told me that?” or “Where did that thought come from, God or Satan?” has refined my purpose in the ministry and changed the way I handle every situation in my life. When I read 2 Timothy 4:5, Hebrews 11:1 and Philippians 4:4 I’m convicted but still have a hard time applying these scriptures, whole heartedly, while going through hardships and persevering in hard times.
2 Timothy 4:5
5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
Hebrews 11:12
11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for
Philippians 4:4
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
When it comes to keeping a clear head in any situation and focusing on the ministry, you must be willing to ask yourself “Who told me this is too much?” “Who told me this situation will not change until I give into my sin?” Keeping your head in all situations goes beyond “acting” like everything is ok. It’s being able to recognize that Satan is trying to attack anyone who is living righteously for God, and enduring through hardship. When you’re about to give up on enduring through hardship and no longer want to do the work of an evangelist, ask yourself, “did this desire to quit come from God?” If not, then who told you that you should quit?
Faith is a confidence in God and a vision to bring to life something that isn’t yet seen! For any bible talk leader or ministry leader, it’s their faith that advances the ministry they lead. I’m convinced that God chooses leaders according to their faith and potential. God gave Adam everything he needed, but Adam still ate the forbidden fruit, giving him knowledge he didn’t need. In the same way, our lack of faith is a forbidden thought that gives us doubt that we don’t need; God will provide! If you think God is not with you when leading a ministry or bible talk, “Who told you that?” That thought comes from satan.
If you have found any reason not to rejoice, as a disciple, you’re not listening to God. If you can’t rejoice as a disciple, your comfort is in something other than the LORD. Philippians 4:4 instructs us to rejoice in the Lord always! God tells us, “You can always rejoice when you are with me.” God doesn’t look at our financial struggles and yell, “Oh no! I didn’t plan for this!” or “Ahhhhh! Quick think of something, I have no plan for you!” Satan is crafty and will continue to persuade us to disregard what God tells us to do. God tells us to rejoice always and not to worry. But Satan is right around the corner feeding on our emotions and attacking when we’re weak. Satan is the father of lies and the king of this world. He’ll say whatever it takes to mislead you. When Satan attacks he’s not trying to hurt you, he’s trying to devour you.
1 Peter 5:8
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Satan is not the ruler of hell, he is simply going to hell. With such a determined enemy going after us, it’s important that we get our information from a reliable source; especially when it comes to our relationship with God. Choosing our source carefully will improve your evangelism, solidify your salvation and refine your purpose in the ministry.
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