Normally, when we think of how God speaks to us or shows him to us through other things, we imagine a pristine voice. I know for myself, I have always thought that I would know exactly when it was God trying to tell me something. However, lately, I have been having a reoccurring dream that has brought me to question whether or not it was God trying to speak to me or the devil trying to cause me disbelief. In this dream, I was into the 7/11 store in town and purchase a $4 Cash For Life scratch ticket. When I get back to my car, I scratch it with a coin to find that I win money, a lot of money. Then, I distinctly remember walking right up to my church pastor and handing him the entire cheque of the winnings as a donation to the church. The concept of this dream has been on my mind for a month now as I contemplated whether or not it was God speaking to me. I gave myself a few questions to answer before coming to a final conclusion.
My questions were:
- Is this God trying to use me to benefit the church financially? What if I actually do win a lot of money through the grace of God and can donate largely to the church?
- Or is this Satan trying to discourage me into no longer believing in God? What if it is Satan leading me to scratch a ticket that has zero winnings only to discourage myself away from God.
My questions were:
- Is this God trying to use me to benefit the church financially? What if I actually do win a lot of money through the grace of God and can donate largely to the church?
- Or is this Satan trying to discourage me into no longer believing in God? What if it is Satan leading me to scratch a ticket that has zero winnings only to discourage myself away from God.
Yesterday morning, in my ‘Christian Life’ classes prior to the church service, my pastor spoke about the Holy Spirit and how “he bears witness to Jesus Christ and guides us into the truth.” John 16: 13 states, “Howbeit, when he, the spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” Thus, God states here that the Holy Spirit only tells of the truth. Further, John 14: 25-26 states, “These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to you remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” Therefore, the Holy Spirit only tells of the truth that God speaks about. My pastor made up an instant where we could not believe someone who claimed that “The Holy Spirit led them to tell the world that Jesus never existed.” This would be false because it goes against Gods’ word. Just as in this example, I have to be careful whether or not God is actually leading me to purchase a lottery ticket, as it could be considered gambling.
In the Bible, God never directly mentions the word gambling, lottery or scratch tickets. He more cautions us about the love of money and how evil comes from money. Proverbs 13: 11 states, “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” Even further, Matthew 6:24 says how, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Thus, God cautions us very clearly about the evils of money. Therefore, can I really lead myself to believe that God wants me to buy a lottery ticket? I can never be for sure, only God knows the true answer. But, I have decided not to go and buy the ticket. I feel that it is Satan’s way of trying to discourage me in my faith. I saw this picture on Pinterest (of course) yesterday, and it is a 5-step process to decide whether or not it is God speaking to you or not. It is a helpful tool to have, especially with trivial questions such as this.
As I think about it more and more, I come to realize that my faith has been going on an upward ladder. My prayer life has become for consistent and full. My reading of God’s word has become more consistent and my faith has been growing. Now that I think of it, it makes clear sense to why I have been having this dream. The closer we get with God, the more Satan hates it and the more he tries to pull us away.
But… why?
Matthew 26: 41 says to, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Further, Luke 22: 31 states, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:”
In the Bible, God never directly mentions the word gambling, lottery or scratch tickets. He more cautions us about the love of money and how evil comes from money. Proverbs 13: 11 states, “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” Even further, Matthew 6:24 says how, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Thus, God cautions us very clearly about the evils of money. Therefore, can I really lead myself to believe that God wants me to buy a lottery ticket? I can never be for sure, only God knows the true answer. But, I have decided not to go and buy the ticket. I feel that it is Satan’s way of trying to discourage me in my faith. I saw this picture on Pinterest (of course) yesterday, and it is a 5-step process to decide whether or not it is God speaking to you or not. It is a helpful tool to have, especially with trivial questions such as this.
As I think about it more and more, I come to realize that my faith has been going on an upward ladder. My prayer life has become for consistent and full. My reading of God’s word has become more consistent and my faith has been growing. Now that I think of it, it makes clear sense to why I have been having this dream. The closer we get with God, the more Satan hates it and the more he tries to pull us away.
But… why?
Matthew 26: 41 says to, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Further, Luke 22: 31 states, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:”
"Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:”
1 Peter 5: 8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Thus, God makes it very clear in his word that we have to be careful about Satan. He is on the prowl to devour anyone who is in his way.
In everything, “Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)
Hope this helps you!
- Emily
In everything, “Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)
Hope this helps you!
- Emily