Discernment

Understanding the Voice of God and His Direction

One of the most common questions believers ask is, “How do I know God is speaking to me?” Closely tied to that is another: “How do I know which direction He wants me to take?” Scripture does not leave us guessing. God is not silent, unstable, or evolving — He speaks with clarity, consistency, and authority.

At the heart of understanding God’s voice is this foundational truth: God does not change, and His Word remains the final authority.

God Is Always the Same

Scripture is unwavering on this point.

“For I the LORD do not change.” (Malachi 3:6)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

God’s nature, character, and purposes are immutable. He does not adapt to culture, emotion, or circumstance. Because God does not change, His voice does not contradict itself. This is why His written Word is the measuring line for all guidance, impressions, and direction.

Any “leading” that conflicts with Scripture is not God’s voice — no matter how spiritual it feels.

The Word of God Is the Final Authority

God speaks in many ways, but never apart from His Word.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

The Bible is not merely a reference book; it is the fixed standard by which all discernment is tested. God’s direction today will always align with what He has already revealed.

God Speaks Through the Holy Spirit

Jesus promised that the Spirit would guide believers into truth.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13)

The Spirit does not introduce new doctrine or contradict Scripture. He illuminates what God has already spoken. His voice often comes as conviction rather than suggestion, clarity rather than confusion, peace rather than pressure.

Obedience and Discernment

Here is a principle many overlook:
Disobedience dulls discernment. Obedience sharpens it.

Jesus Himself said:

“If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God.” (John 7:17)

We do not gain clarity by demanding answers first. We gain clarity by obeying what God has already made clear. Persistent disobedience clouds spiritual hearing: faithful obedience tunes it.

Does God Ever Change His Mind? — The Case of Moses

A common question arises in Exodus 32, when God declares judgment on Israel after the incident with the golden calf, and Moses intercedes. Scripture says:

“And the LORD relented from the disaster that He had spoken of bringing on His people.” (Exodus 32:14)

At first glance, this appears to contradict God’s immutability. But Scripture must interpret Scripture.

God did not change His nature, His holiness, or His covenant promises. What changed was the outcome, not the character of God. From eternity, God ordained both the warning and the intercession. Moses’ prayer was not a surprise to God — it was the very means God chose to display His mercy, justice, and covenant faithfulness.

God’s responses in time reflect His unchanging purposes in eternity.

“God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind.” (Numbers 23:19)

What looks like change is often God engaging relationally with His people while remaining perfectly consistent with His nature.

God’s Voice Produces Peace, Not Confusion

God’s direction may stretch you, but it will not enslave you to fear.

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33)

Fear-driven urgency, manipulation, or panic is not the voice of God. His leading brings steadiness, even when the path is costly.

God Often Guides Step by Step

God rarely reveals the entire roadmap.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

A lamp gives enough light for the next step or a couple of steps — not the entire journey. Trust is formed in obedience, not in full visibility.

Direction Is Confirmed in Godly Counsel

God often confirms His leading through wise, Scripture-grounded counsel.

“In an abundance of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)

This does not replace personal discernment, but it guards against self-deception.

The Heart Posture Matters

Jesus made this simple and profound:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

Hearing God is not a technique. It is the fruit of a relationship. A surrendered heart hears more clearly than a demanding one.

 

Final Thought

Understanding the voice of God begins with knowing who He is. He is unchanging. His Word is final. His Spirit is faithful. His direction is consistent with His character.

When we anchor ourselves in Scripture, walk in obedience, and cultivate intimacy with Him, His voice becomes clearer — not because He speaks louder, but because we are finally listening rightly. It also establishes faith correctly, faith in His voice, not our selfish wants or our vain imaginations.

Signing off

Tyrone

Understanding our plight

 

 I asked myself a Question…

I asked myself this question: “How can I get people to see through the world’s lies and recognise their need for Christ, when so many are comfortably deceived into thinking they don’t need Him?”

The world has been hooked with false assurances: that morality, self-improvement, religion, or good works can make life right. People are lulled into a comfort that blinds them to the reality that only Christ can cover their sins and stand in their place.

Scripture paints a stark picture: humanity stands guilty, yet Christ stepped into the courtroom — fully human, yet sinless — as the only one qualified to stand in our place, pay our debt, and provide a way to escape judgment.

This post will walk through this courtroom step by step and show why even a repentant sinner must be covered by Christ to stand safely before Him.

Our Flesh: Guilty by Birth Under Adam

The Bible never treats mankind as morally neutral.

“Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men.”
— Romans 5:12

We are not sinners merely because we sin — we sin because we are born under Adam’s headship.

“By one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners.”
— Romans 5:19

This inherited condition is called the flesh.

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh.”
— John 3:6

Therefore, Scripture concludes:

“None is righteous, no, not one.”
— Romans 3:10

Every person enters God’s court already condemned, not awaiting trial, but awaiting sentence.

Our Sin Exposed: Solomon’s Warning in Ecclesiastes

Solomon, the wisest of men, observed that human effort and self-justification cannot hide sin from God.

“For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
— Ecclesiastes 12:14

No one can conceal guilt. Our sins are laid bare before the Judge, no matter how carefully we cover them with excuses, works, or remorse.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”
— Ecclesiastes 9:10

Solomon reminds us that time does not erase sin, and our own efforts cannot justify us. Only a righteous Substitute — Christ — can cover our exposed guilt.

Why Christ Had to Be Conceived by the Holy Spirit

The virgin conception is not decorative theology — it is judicial necessity.

Sin enters humanity through one man, Adam.

“Through one man sin entered the world.”
— Romans 5:12

If Christ were conceived by ordinary human generation, He would stand under Adam and inherit Adam’s guilt.

Instead, Scripture records:

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you… therefore the child to be born will be called holy.”
— Luke 1:35

Christ is holy from conception, not made holy by obedience later.

“God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law.”
— Galatians 4:4

Born of woman — truly human.
Conceived by the Spirit — free from Adamic corruption.

Thus, He stands as the last Adam, a new representative head.

“The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving Spirit.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:45

A new humanity requires a new beginning.

Jesus’ Flesh: Fully Human, Entirely Sinless

Scripture leaves no ambiguity.

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
— John 1:14

“Since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things.”
— Hebrews 2:14

Yet His flesh was not corrupted.

“He committed no sin.”
— 1 Peter 2:22

“In Him there is no sin.”
— 1 John 3:5

Jesus entered the court as a man, but not as a criminal.

God’s Court: Justice Cannot Be Suspended

God is not a negotiator. He is Judge.

“The LORD has established His throne for justice.”
— Psalm 9:7

“The soul who sins shall die.”
— Ezekiel 18:4

“He will by no means clear the guilty.”
— Exodus 34:7

The law demands satisfaction, not apology.

The Courtroom Explained: Humanity, Law, and the Substitute

Scripture frames salvation as a legal transaction:

1.   The Charge: Every human stands guilty.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
— Romans 3:23

2.  The Problem: Justice cannot ignore guilt.

“He will by no means clear the guilty.”
— Exodus 34:7

3.  The Rule of Substitution: Only an innocent, human, willing substitute can satisfy the law.

“No man can ransom another.” — Psalm 49:7
“By a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.” — 1 Corinthians 15:21
“I lay down My life of My own accord.” — John 10:18

4.  The Exchange: Guilt is counted to Christ; righteousness is credited to the sinner.

“The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” — Isaiah 53:6
“For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin.” — 2 Corinthians 5:21

5.  The Verdict: The Judge remains and declares the sinner acquitted.

“So that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” — Romans 3:26

Why Only a Sinless Man Could Stand for Sinners

A guilty man cannot pay another’s debt.

“No man can ransom another.” — Psalm 49:7
“We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” — 1 John 2:1
“Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous.” — 1 Peter 3:18

The sentence fell on Him. The court is satisfied.

The Resurrection: Heaven’s Legal Confirmation

If Christ remained in the grave, payment would be unverified.

“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” — 1 Corinthians 15:17
“He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” — Romans 4:25

The empty tomb announces: Paid in full. Case closed.

Repentance: Turning Toward the Only Covering

Repentance is commanded.

“Repent therefore, and turn back.” — Acts 3:19

But repentance does not erase guilt — it abandons self-defence and turns the sinner toward the only one who can cover their sin.

“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” — Hebrews 9:22

Even sincere remorse cannot satisfy the law; Christ must bear the penalty.

Covered in Christ: Union, Not Improvement

Salvation is not moral improvement but union with Christ.

“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” — Galatians 3:27
“He has covered me with the robe of righteousness.” — Isaiah 61:10
“Not having a righteousness of my own.” — Philippians 3:9

Outside Christ — condemnation remains.
Inside Christ — judgment is finished.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1

Romans 10: Receiving the Verdict

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9

Repentance turns from self. Faith places the sinner in Christ.
The Advocate lives.

“Christ Jesus… was raised—who indeed is interceding for us.” — Romans 8:34

The Final Word

We were born guilty before the court.
Christ entered the court holy.
The sentence fell on Him.
The verdict rose with Him.
Repentance brings us under His covering.
Faith keeps us there.

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” — Psalm 32:1
“They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” — Revelation 7:14

Justice is satisfied.
The Judge is pleased.
The Saviour lives.

Signing off,

Tyrone

THE LIFE - Part 3

” I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” — Part Three: The Life

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
— John 14:6 (ESV)

We have walked the Way — Christ as the path to the Father.
We have stood in the Truth — Christ as reality itself, not opinion or preference.
Now we come to the final and most confronting claim of all:

Jesus is the Life.

Not a life.
Not a better version of your current one.
Not moral improvement, religious energy, or spiritual enthusiasm.

Life itself.

Life Is Not Self-Generated

Scripture is uncomfortably clear:
Outside of Christ, humanity is not merely struggling — it is dead.

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins…”
— Ephesians 2:1

Dead people do not rehabilitate themselves.
They do not reason their way into vitality.
They must be made alive.

This is why Jesus does not say, “I will show you how to live.”
He says, “I am the life.”

Life is not something He gives apart from Himself.
He gives Himself — and life comes with Him.

Life Begins at Regeneration, Not Resolution

Many confuse life in Christ with decision-making:

• Turning over a new leaf
• Becoming more disciplined
• Trying harder to be good

But biblical life begins with regeneration, not resolve.

“Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3

This life is received, not achieved.
It is a work of the Spirit, not the strength of the will.

You don’t add Christ to your life — you receive a new one in Him.

Life Is Union, Not Independence

Modern spirituality celebrates autonomy.
Jesus offers something far more radical: union.

“I am the vine; you are the branches… apart from Me you can do nothing.”
— John 15:5

Life flows only through connection to Christ.
Not proximity.
Not admiration.
Not imitation.

Abiding, not borrowing.
Union, not usage.

When we detach life from Christ, even our good works begin to decay into pride, performance, or burnout.

Life Is Eternal — Starting Now

Eternal life is not merely future-oriented.
It begins the moment Christ gives life to the dead heart.

“Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.”
— John 5:24

This life reshapes:

• Desires
• Direction
• Allegiance
• Hope

Not perfectly.
Not instantly.
But truly.

The Final Claim That Divides Everything

Jesus does not leave room for spiritual neutrality.

If He is not the Life, then death still reigns.
If He is the Life, then every other source is insufficient.

There is no life in religion without Christ.
No life in morality without Christ.
No life in truth without Christ.

The Way leads to the Father.
The Truth reveals reality.
But only the Life raises the dead.

Closing Reflection

Christianity is not about living better —
It is about being made alive.

And that life has a name.

Jesus.

Signing off,
Tyrone