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Transcript

Did God Say That? · Ian Green Audio Sermons

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Ministry of Ian Green, a place where faith is strengthened, hope is renewed, and the word of God comes alive.
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  SPEAKER_00: Whether you're searching for answers, walking through a difficult season, or simply hungry to know God more deeply, you're in the right place.
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  SPEAKER_00: So take a moment, quiet your heart, and open your spirit.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let's get into the word of God together.
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  SPEAKER_00: This is Ian Green, and this is today's message.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_00: Did God say that?
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  SPEAKER_00: Praise the Lord, everybody.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today I want to share something that I believe is very important for us as believers, particularly as we grow in our knowledge of God's Word and in our relationship with the Holy Spirit.
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  SPEAKER_00: And the question I want to ask you today is simply this Did God say that?
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  SPEAKER_00: You see, there is a difference between knowing what God has said in His Word and knowing that God is speaking something specific to you or through you for somebody else.
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  SPEAKER_00: And I believe this is an area where we as Christians need to exercise great wisdom and discernment.
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  SPEAKER_00: Because not everything that comes into your mind is necessarily from the Holy Spirit.
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  SPEAKER_00: Not every strong impression is a prophetic revelation, and not every person who knows the scriptures has been given a prophetic word to speak.
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  SPEAKER_00: In 1 Corinthians 8, verse 1, the Apostle Paul tells us, Knowledge puffs up, but charity edifieth.
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  SPEAKER_00: In other words, knowledge without love and humility can lead to pride.
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  SPEAKER_00: And sometimes as believers, we can become so full of biblical knowledge that we begin to mistake our own understanding for the voice of God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Now please understand me, I'm not speaking against prophecy.
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  SPEAKER_00: The gift of prophecy is biblical and it is a wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit.
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  SPEAKER_00: But here's the danger.
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  SPEAKER_00: When we attach God's name to something he has not said, we enter into very serious territory.
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  SPEAKER_00: In Jeremiah 23:16, God warns his people about prophets who speak visions from their own hearts and not from the mouth of the Lord.
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  SPEAKER_00: Think about that for a moment.
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  SPEAKER_00: They were speaking, but God had not spoken.
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  SPEAKER_00: They were declaring, but God had not instructed them.
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  SPEAKER_00: And this is something we must be very careful about.
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  SPEAKER_00: Because when you tell somebody the Lord told me to tell you, you are claiming divine authority for your words.
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  SPEAKER_00: And if God hasn't actually spoken, what are you giving that person?
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  SPEAKER_00: Is it revelation or is it your own imagination?
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  SPEAKER_00: Is it the Holy Spirit or is it your own understanding?
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  SPEAKER_00: Or even more seriously, could it be spiritual deception?
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  SPEAKER_00: The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 11 14 that Satan himself can masquerade as an angel of light.
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  SPEAKER_00: So we must understand that deception doesn't always come looking evil.
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  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes it comes sounding spiritual, and sometimes it comes wrapped in scripture, sometimes it comes from somebody who genuinely believes they're hearing from God.
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  SPEAKER_00: And this is why discernment is so important.
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  SPEAKER_00: Sincerity is not the same as accuracy.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let me just say that again.
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  SPEAKER_00: Sincerity is not the same as accuracy.
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  SPEAKER_00: You can be completely sincere and still be sincerely mistaken, and the consequences can be damaging.
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  SPEAKER_00: Imagine telling somebody that God has promised them something specific, something that you claim will happen within a particular time, and it doesn't happen.
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  SPEAKER_00: What happens to that person's faith?
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  SPEAKER_00: They may begin to question God, they may become discouraged, they may even think that God has failed them when in reality God never made that promise in the first place.
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  SPEAKER_00: And the enemy can exploit that.
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  SPEAKER_00: Now listen carefully to what Paul teaches in 1 Thessalonians 5, verse 20 to 21.
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  SPEAKER_00: He says, Despise not prophesyings, prove all things, hold fast to that which is good.
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  SPEAKER_00: Notice the balance.
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  SPEAKER_00: Don't despise prophecy, but don't blindly accept every prophecy either.
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  SPEAKER_00: Test it.
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  SPEAKER_00: And 1 John 4 1 says, Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.
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  SPEAKER_00: So how do we do that?
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  SPEAKER_00: First, does what you're hearing agree with the written word of God?
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  SPEAKER_00: The Holy Spirit will never contradict the scriptures he inspired.
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  SPEAKER_00: Second, have you genuinely sought the Lord in prayer, or are you simply reacting to your own feelings, emotions, or assumptions?
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  SPEAKER_00: And third, what is your motive?
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  SPEAKER_00: Is it love?
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  SPEAKER_00: Is it to strengthen and encourage the person?
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  SPEAKER_00: Or is there something in you that wants to appear spiritual, knowledgeable, or important?
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  SPEAKER_00: Because 1 Corinthians 14 3 teaches us that prophecy is intended to strengthen, encourage, and comfort God's people.
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  SPEAKER_00: And fourth, are you willing to submit what you believe you've heard to mature spiritual discernment?
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  SPEAKER_00: Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14.29 that when prophets speak, others should weigh what is said.
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  SPEAKER_00: And that tells me something very important.
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  SPEAKER_00: Even a prophetic word must be open to examination.
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  SPEAKER_00: You don't become exempt from accountability simply because you say, Thus says the Lord.
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  SPEAKER_00: And if you are unsure, there's nothing wrong with remaining silent.
• 6:00
  SPEAKER_00: There's nothing wrong with praying a little longer.
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  SPEAKER_00: There's nothing wrong with saying, I believe I may be sensing something, but I want to test this before I speak.
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  SPEAKER_00: That is not weakness, that is spiritual maturity.
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  SPEAKER_00: Remember, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth.
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  SPEAKER_00: He doesn't need us to manufacture revelation.
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  SPEAKER_00: He doesn't need us to force a prophetic word.
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  SPEAKER_00: And he certainly doesn't need us to speak on his behalf when he hasn't even instructed us to do so.
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  SPEAKER_00: Now, we should also understand that not every unfulfilled prediction automatically means that somebody was deliberately deceptive or that the word was demonic.
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  SPEAKER_00: Scripture shows us that some prophetic warnings are conditional.
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  SPEAKER_00: And Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13 9 that we know and prophesy in part.
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  SPEAKER_00: That is another reason we need humility, and if we've spoken something wrongly, we should be willing to acknowledge it, correct it, and help anyone who may have been hurt by it.
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  SPEAKER_00: My brothers and sisters, I want to leave you with this thought.
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  SPEAKER_00: Just because you have a word in your heart doesn't necessarily mean God is giving you a word for somebody else's life.
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  SPEAKER_00: Learn to recognize his voice, spend time in his presence, stay grounded in the scriptures and walk in humility, and never allow your desire to be used by God to become greater than your desire to obey God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Because sometimes the greatest demonstration of spiritual maturity is not knowing when to speak, it's knowing when to be silent.
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  SPEAKER_00: Before you prophesy, test the spirit.
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  SPEAKER_00: Before you declare, seek the Lord, and before you say, God told me, make sure you're not simply speaking from your own understanding.
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  SPEAKER_00: Because when God truly speaks, his word deserves to be handled with reverence, truth, and love.
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  SPEAKER_00: So let us pray.
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  SPEAKER_00: Heavenly Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, we thank you for your precious Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord, give us discerning hearts and sensitive ears to recognize your voice.
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  SPEAKER_00: Protect us from deception, from spiritual pride, and from speaking presumptuously in your name.
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  SPEAKER_00: Teach us to distinguish between your voice, our own thoughts, and anything that does not come from you.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let our words be filled with truth, humility, and love.
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  SPEAKER_00: And Father, for anyone who has been hurt, disappointed or discouraged by words wrongly spoken over their life, I pray that you would bring healing, clarity, and restoration.
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  SPEAKER_00: Help us to place our trust in your unchanging word rather than in the opinions or declarations of men.
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  SPEAKER_00: May everything we say and do glorify Jesus Christ.
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  SPEAKER_00: In his mighty name we pray.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.
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  SPEAKER_00: God bless you, and remember, before you speak for God, make sure you've heard from God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Hallelujah.
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  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for joining me today, and I pray that this message has encouraged you, strengthened your faith, and drawn you closer to God.
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  SPEAKER_00: If this ministry has been a blessing to you, please consider becoming a partner and helping us continue to share the Word of God and the message of hope with people around the world.
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  SPEAKER_00: You can find out more about support in the ministry through the links provided.
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  SPEAKER_00: Until next time, remember this God loves you and He has a purpose for your life, and He's always with you.
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  SPEAKER_00: I'm Ian Green, God bless you, and I'll see you again soon.