Spring 1999
Did God Say?
Ronald L Taylor
President, Pinecrest BTC

In the Garden, the serpent came to Eve and said,

"Did God really say you must not eat from any
tree in the garden?" Genesis 3:1 NIV.

Before a recent ministry trip to Kenya, the Lord confirmed our plans and taught us an important lesson as well: The more certain we are of what the Lord has said, the easier it is to go through obstacles which could hinder.

When we prayed together, we felt the witness of the Holy Spirit that we were to go. Therefore, when the US Embassy was blown up three days before we were to leave, we were able to declare, against the State Department’s advice, "We are still going!"

We could have looked at the danger and said, "Maybe we should go at another time.” But our arrival was a witness of the Lord's guidance and protection; both for the Kenyans and for us. Much would have been lost had we cancelled the trip.

Thus the question that is before us; did the Lord really say?

The new students who come to Pinecrest each year arrive with enthusiasm; but within a few weeks, some question, “Did the Lord really say that I was to come here?” The time to decide whether or not the Lord spoke, is before we find ourselves in the battle. Once we are there, it is too late to check our instructions.

We must be sure of the Word that we heard, and then stick with it. If the Lord spoke to us, we must do it. But if He has not spoken, we will fail in the time of pressure. Whenever the Lord seeks to use us in some way, our first priority should be to hear clearly from Him.

The Lord had said that everything in the garden was good for food, but that Adam and Eve were not to eat of one specific tree. The next day Adam and Eve may have asked each other, “Do you suppose it still applies today?”

We do not know how much time passed between this word and Eve’s encounter with Satan, when he came to take advantage of the doubt that they expressed. Each of us must settle the fact that the Word of the Lord is eternal and that He does not change. Therefore, until He tells us different, we are to stand upon the Word that the Lord has spoken to us.

A leader must be able to hear from the Lord and then stand upon that Word, as the starting point is always the Word that he received. If the Lord has not spoken, then we must listen until He does speak.
In Genesis 4:7, the Lord said to Cain,

"... sin is crouching at the door. It desires to have
you, but you must master it."

Tests and problems will always arise, and unless we are positive of what the Lord said, we will lose the battle.

In Col. 3:2, Paul said,

"Set your minds on things above, not earthly things."

The battleground is always in our mind. The Lord will help us, but this help starts with a decision. If we have the mind of the Lord rather than earthly wisdom, we will be able to master the lurking sin.

The Lord planted the tree in the middle of the garden and told them not to eat it. Soon, His word was tested. It is important that we realize that any Word which the Lord speaks to us will be tested and therefore, we should prepare ourselves accordingly.

Joseph received a vision from the Lord, but there was an extended period of time before this vision had its fulfillment. In spite of circumstances, Joseph believed and held to the Word he had received from the Lord.

Moses was a special child who was saved from a sure death, and he knew that he would deliver his people. He tried to step into this ministry prematurely. Forty years later, the Lord said, "Now is the time." His vision was tested.

Paul was powerfully apprehended by the Lord and was given much spiritual understanding. Yet he had to wait nearly 14 years while his vision was tested!

Jesus said, "Many are called but few are chosen." This can be better said, “Many are called, but only those who pass the test are chosen."

In I Kings 18:21 Elijah asked, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him. But if Baal is god, then follow him." A decision was to be made.

The Lord is challenging us to not waver. We must come to grips with what the Lord has spoken to us, and then do it.

"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he
that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the
wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he
shall receive anything of the Lord." James 1:6-7.

Has the Lord spoken to you? Do not be surprised if that Word is tested. It may not happen the next day, but it will be tested and re-tested.

For those who pass the test, there is fulfillment.