Thus Saith the Lord

Yesterday morning a woman who had been a missionary in Zambia for 15 years told me that "the Lord" had led her to move back home.

In the Christian tradition "the Lord" is generally used to designate  Jesus  as "the Lord and Savior."   Jesus, however, is not the only "Lord" mentioned in the Bible. There's the "Lord God", in the Old Testament Jewish tradition. But the Bible also mentions  Beelzebub, "the Lord of the flies". Then there is  Satan, "the Lord of this world," And others.

Three other major religions  worship and venerate "the Lord."  Hinduism claims three major dieties, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma.  And  there's Lord Buddha and Allah, "the Lord of Lords," according to the Qur'an.

When a Christian talks about "the Lord", it's safe to assume that s/he's referring to Jesus. My missionary friend  said that "the Lord" had made it clear to her that it was time to leave Africa and come home. I think for most of us this is easy to accept and understand. It's not difficult to believe that a Christian minister is able to discern the voice of Jesus in her life. But following "the Lord," even when it's your heart's deepest desire, is not  always that easy to do.

Everyone finds direction in his or her life in his or her own way.  For the Christian, on the surface this seems like such a wonderful thing--"Ask the God of all creation to guide this decision. This way I know I'm making the right decision and doing the right thing for myself and everyone else involved."  If it's "God's will" then nothing else really matters".  If it's that easy then sure,  ask "the Lord" about everything!   But here's the rub.  You have to receive that direction in some manner. According to the Bible, in both Testaments, "the Lord" spoke audibly to a multitude of His followers and told them exactly what to do.  So the question was never  "What does God want me to do?", but "Am I willing to do what God just told me to do?" Wouldn't it be nice if it was that simple?

Although some modern Christians claim to have actually heard God's voice speaking to them, most of us have not had that experience. That means we have to discern that voice in some other manner.  Some say it's just a feeling, an impression or an inner voice. Some read a favorite Bible passage and find the answer there. Or s/he  just opens the Bible at random and practices the ancient art of  Bibliomancy. Some talk to a family member or trusted friend and accept his or her wisdom and guidance as the leadership of "the Lord." Some trust circumstances or  look for a tangible sign. Whatever method someone employs, there is disconnect, a space between the request and the answer. Something has to fill that space.  It's very important what fills that space. There is much spiritual, emotional, mental and moral competition for what fills that space.  The decision this person reaches depends totally on what's in this space, this filter.

People have done some horrible things because "the Lord" told them to do it. They've burned down houses. They've killed other people. They've even killed their own children. They've killed themselves. That's why I say it is so important what fills that gap.

 Here are seven tests to fill that gap that I recommend to discern "the voice of the Lord" in any decision.
1. Are my motives for the good of myself and others?
2..Will this be harmful to me or anyone else?
3. Is this the loving thing to do?
4. Are the most significant people  in my life comfortable with this decision? If not, why not? Am I still ok with that?
5. Can I live with this decision with personal peace?
6. Does this decision square with my personal values?
7. Am I willing to live with the consequences of this decision?

Bonus question:   "Does it help?"

The next time you hear someone tell you what "the Lord" told them to do, ask yourself "Which Lord?" And "How did He speak to you?"  And if they start telling you what "the Lord" told them to tell you --RUN !!