Persuaded: Hearing God For Yourself

What some might find unsettling became a quiet relief to me: “It’s okay to be disagreeable.”

These words freed my heart from the silent pressure to comply with the persuasion and expectations of others. Yes, standing apart may carry consequences. But preserving my walk with Jesus and the purity of His words over my life is worth every cost.

Too often, what looks good and even “godly” in the eyes of people isn’t good in the eyes of the Father.

“You saw who You created me to be before I became me. Before I’d ever seen the light of day, the number of my days was recorded in Your book.” (Psalm 139:16, TPT)

Jesus is serious about the words He has spoken over your life. And because your life belongs to Him, He will guard you — even from opportunities that seem right but aren’t part of His plan.

Isn’t it beautiful how Jesus saves us… even from ourselves?

Go Up the Mountain and Hear for Yourself

Every person you meet, family, friends, leaders, will, in some way, form expectations for your life.

It’s natural, but it’s also dangerous when those expectations start shaping your decisions more than God’s voice does.

Even Peter, in his love for Jesus, tried to persuade Him away from the cross. Jesus answered bluntly:

“Get behind Me, satan. You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:23)

This moment is a sobering reminder that even well-meaning voices can echo the enemy when they’re not aligned with God’s heart.

We are responsible not only for speaking God’s words but also for discerning the words spoken to us. And the only way to do that is to ascend the mountain of the Lord for ourselves.

Moses: A Man Shaped by the Mountain

Moses’ life was a story of expectations: first as a Hebrew slave, then as a prince of Egypt, mighty in word and deed (Acts 7:20–22).

He seemed destined for greatness, but when he moved in his own strength, shaped by human expectations, he spent forty years in the wilderness learning the value of God’s voice over man’s.

On Mount Sinai, Moses discovered the secret not of his power, but of surrender. He learned to silence his flesh, quiet the expectations of others, and wait on the clear word of God.

Only when God deemed him ready did He speak plainly, no second-guessing, no borrowed interpretations. And so it is with us. When the time is right, God’s word comes with clarity, and we know it is ours to carry.

Who Has Persuaded You?

This question demands honesty.

If you haven’t had that quiet communion with Jesus — the kind that brings peace to your heart — it’s time to stop everything else.

Climb the mountain for yourself. Step into the secret place.

We often forget how powerful words are… how expectations can shape or imprison a person’s life.

So hear this reminder: It’s okay to be disagreeable when the moment calls for it, always with honor, always with love.

Let yourself be persuaded by one thing only:
“I live for Christ and every word that comes from His mouth.”