Someone asked me the other day, “How do you know it’s the Lord saying so and so?” I am sure the situation we read about in Acts 10 would bring up the same question to Peter in his day.
The culture of the day did not allow a Jewish person to eat with a Gentile. Cornelius was just that and Peter and he had no clue of each other before this day started. But there was commonality between them, and they didn’t even know it, JESUS!
Look how it describes Cornelius, “a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.” Acts 10:2
We already know Peter but look at what he was up to when God spoke to him, “The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.” Acts 10:9
Both men were obedient to what they believe the Lord has spoken to them. We see Cornelius and his family together with Peter and those who traveled with him. Gentile and Jew are in one place and then God confirms their obedience, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.” Acts 10:44
How do we know? Sometimes the answer isn’t always obvious, but we can put ourselves in position to hear from the Lord like Cornelius and Peter did.
1- Are you doing what the Lord has told you already? It said Cornelius was loving God and loving people. We often discern well the voice of God in our lives when we are already being obedient or His Words. Cornelius was living out what God was already telling him thru the Word.
2- Are you seeking after the Lord? It said Peter was on the roof praying at lunch time that day. He was spending time seeking after the Lord. The Bible says, “draw near to me, and I will draw near to you”. When we are seeking after the Lord it is easier to discern His voice in our lives.
3- Are you looking for his confirmation as you step out in faith? Be open to recognize God’s move in your life. In prayer, ask God to help you to see you are following Him. Sometimes it will be confirmed through the reading of His Word, other times you will be able to see His hand is upon it through things that are more than just coincidence.
This is not an exhaustive list but things we can look to in His Word to help us. In anything you are praying about don’t make it more than being about Jesus, it’s always about Jesus... and when that’s your heart you will discern more when He is leading and speaking.
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.