|
|
 |
Karoline Y. wrote: |
|
Hi, guys —
I am 20 years old. My parents are not Christians; I came to the faith on my own. So, I don't really have much to fall back on.
OK, now to the meat of my situation.
I have driven my parent’s third car for 3 years. As I’m turning 20, I want to finally get my own car as I’m moving out in a couple of years, and it gives me some time to get used to the responsibility of a car. I found a 1992 truck for sale with 15,000 kilometers on the odometer. I knew going in, that it would need work, but it was in insane condition, most likely kept indoors most of its life. I figured now was the time to get it because I still have my parents spare I can fall back on, if the truck is down for whatever reason, and by the time I move out it will be basically back to where it should be.
Going into this I had a weird conviction of greed saying I shouldn't have two cars.
- I ignored it because I don’t have two cars?
I have access to two, but this is my first car. I still stand behind ignoring that conviction as it didn't make sense; it was convicting a false reality. Not to mention owning two cars isn't a sin. I couldn't afford the truck. (I’m fresh out of college with not much money to my name) and my parents were VERY gracious and offered to buy it for me and then I’d pay them back, i.e. financing it through them, but without the trap of interest. They even gifted $1,000 towards the truck as a gift. I put $2,000 down right away (the truck is $9,000 total). I had a mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection on the truck, one we have used in the past and trusted, and he said it was in insane condition for its age. No sign of the odometer being rolled back, and he said it was a good buy that could easily run 20 years with basic maintenance. I bought the truck and was overjoyed.
The next morning, I was praying to God and I was thanking Him for His provision:
- the money,
- the financial aid through my parents,
- helping me find one in such good condition.
(It is the type of truck I had specifically gone out to look for.) and yet during midday prayer, I was cut off -- dead center – with this deep wordless gut saying,
“This is not my will, sell it."
and I stopped dead in my tracks. It was a direct negation to my claim of it being His Provision. It brought anxiety because I don’t want to sell it; I love it, but obviously I will if the Lord requires it. That’s about where I am. I really do not know what to do about this. I am somewhat new to the faith and am unsure how to discern the faith and whether this was God or not.
Karoline Y.
|
| { How do I discern if buying this car is God’s will, and does "this sense" in my gut mean anything? } |
Eric replied:
|
Karoline,
God does not bring anxiety. The enemy does.
Godly decisions bring peace, not anxiety. Keep the gift of God. And do not spurn your parents’ generosity.
Eric Ewanco
It is good that you exist. You are worth more in the eyes of God than the entire cosmos..
|
Karoline replied:
|
Eric,
- So, you suggest keeping the truck and paying them back faithfully?
Karoline |
Eric replied:
|
Karoline —
One more thing to consider:
- How would your parents react if you did this?
You sold the truck?
"Because I had a gut feeling that God wanted me to."
"..."
At the very least, if you feel compelled to sell the truck, do not do so without "buy-in" from your parents. God would want that!
Eric Ewanco
It is good that you exist. You are worth more in the eyes of God than the entire cosmos..
|
Karoline replied:
- So, you suggest keeping the truck and paying them back faithfully?
Karoline |
Eric replied:
|
Unfortunately, I can't make decisions for you. I can just testify that your gut feeling does not fare well when rightly discerned.
I would discourage you from changing course/taking action based only on a feeling.
Such feelings can come from untrustworthy sources. It sounds like you have a sweet deal and if you want my advice, it sounds foolish to change course without more than just a gut feeling.
Eric Ewanco
It is good that you exist. You are worth more in the eyes of God than the entire cosmos..
|
Karoline replied:
|
Eric,
Thank you so much for your response!
I really appreciate you taking the time. I think part of what scares me is i was tired and “put out a fleece” asking God to give me an easy buyer if He wanted me to sell it. And two days later a woman asked if id sell it to her. Freaked me right out, but I do know that we are not called to use fleeces in the New Testament.
If I may ask one more thing,
- Why does it not fare well when rightly discerned?
- What about it, fails?
Karoline |
Eric replied:
Sure.
Like I said, genuine supernatural revelations from God do not produce anxiety, as you said you experienced upon receiving it.
Anxiety and fear is associated with demonic messages, as they try to force us to do their will.
God is a gentleman; he never forces or coerces. This message could have been from yourself, or it could have been demonic, but God is not going to attempt to manipulate you in a way that brings anxiety.
But you mentioned a fleece. Let me make sure I understand correctly;
- Where did the idea to sell originate, from you, or from this gut feeling/intuition?
You said:
The next morning, I was praying to God and I was thanking Him for His provision, the money, the financial aid through my parents, helping me find one in such good condition. (It is the type of truck I had specifically gone out to look for.) and yet during midday prayer, I was cut off -- dead center – with this deep wordless gut saying,
“This is not my will, sell it."
and I stopped dead in my tracks. It was a direct negation to my claim of it being His Provision. It brought anxiety because I don’t want to sell it; I love it, but obviously I will if the Lord requires it.
This isn't a fleece. A fleece would be if you had doubts in your mind and were ambivalent about having it, and asked God for a sign, and then got this message.
As far as I can tell, you weren't even contemplating selling the truck, when in mid-prayer (would God rudely interrupt you talking to him and thanking him and praising him?) you were interrupted with this anxiety-producing message that contradicted your prayer.
By your own testimony, you did not want to sell the truck. This has all the hallmarks of a deception of the enemy. Yes, demons do exist, they are personal beings, and their goal is to spread fear, anxiety, doubt, confusion, and discord.
Eric Ewanco
It is good that you exist. You are worth more in the eyes of God than the entire cosmos.. |
Karoline replied:
|
Eric.
The fleece was that I asked God for an easy buyer if He really wanted me to sell it and two days later a woman asked if I would sell it to her. This was after the original impression. Which yes, brought fear because I really don’t want to sell it, I really don’t but I obviously will, if God does ask for it.
I was trying to find a resolution, and it seems like God answered me by actually sending me a buyer.
Karoline |
Eric replied:
|
Karoline,
You don't know that for sure.
Satan can produce a buyer, too.
Eric Ewanco
It is good that you exist. You are worth more in the eyes of God than the entire cosmos..
|
Karoline replied:
I’m really new to the faith so please forgive my ignorance. <😂Emoji crying>
I’d like to shake your hand for your patience. Ha Ha!
Karoline |
Eric replied:
|
Oh Yes! He can.
You shouldn't be surprised if, after taking the bait, he doesn't try to reel you in.
Eric Ewanco
It is good that you exist. You are worth more in the eyes of God than the entire cosmos.. |
|
|
|
