I know that God speaks to us primarily through the Scriptures, but I was wondering if anyone has the occasion to know when God is prompting them, or maybe put more aptly, do you ever know the difference between your own thoughts and when God might be saying something to you directly? I apologize if this naive but I don't have a clear understanding. God is mostly silent in this age and while I pray about it constantly, I've never been sure if God would even be talking to me, or prompting me to think about something. God is logical, and so logically, I suspect that the thoughts in my head are my own. I hope this makes sense.
Hi Jeff, this is an interesting subject.
I believe that part of how God instructs us is by slowly giving us the ability to discern between good and evil. The grace of God by way of His spirit teaches us to deny ungodliness and shows us what is good and right to do. There is a big difference between the thoughts of men and the thought of God but slowly our thoughts are transformed as our minds and hearts are changed until we come to that measure of stature of the fullness of Christ. To make it painfully obvious in the differences of thought just think of what the carnal mind desires and does and compare it to the mind of Christ. Now you know the difference between your thoughts and God's.
Hebrews 5:13-14
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those
who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.Speaking of David:
2 Samual 14:16-17
16 For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.
17 Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable:
for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and evil: therefore the Lord thy God will be with thee.
1 Kings 3:5-12
5 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
7 And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that
I may discern between good and evil: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
I do believe this is how the spirit of God works in us, that still small voice--Giving us the ability to discern between good and evil.
1 Kings 19:9-12
9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and
after the fire a still small voice.By way of the holy spirit we begin to understand what God is teaching us (discerning between good and evil) and so we can see where God is indeed 'prompting' us because without Him we could never have been drawn this close.
God bless,
Alex