But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted. (Ezekiel 3:7)
The human heart has a remarkable capacity for both resilience and resistance. It can be open to God's wisdom and guidance, or it can be hardened by the deceptive schemes of the enemy. Satan, our adversary, often presents us with enticing opportunities that seem like blessings, but those things slowly but surely lead us away from God’s perfect path.
You need to understand that not every opportunity that comes your way is from God. The enemy disguises himself as an angel of light and he disguises his temptations as your “only opportunity” for success and happiness. As vigilant believers, even when something seems like a blessing, we need to weigh it against the unchanging truth of God's Word.
In life, you are going to meet many people who claim that “God told them to do such-and-such.” You will find people who think they have revelations that contradict Scripture. However, our foundation should always be the Word of God. This is not about a matter of opinion; it's about aligning our lives with the truth found in Scripture.
When we face conflicting voices and enticing opportunities to go against what God clearly stated in His Word, we must never follow it. We must seek guidance from our pastors, ministers, and spiritual leaders and be open to correction when we are off. It's easy to be swayed by emotions, peer pressure, or the desire for quick success. But true wisdom is anchored in the Word of God and in a humble heart that will yield to His guidance.
Practical Application
Guard your heart against becoming hardhearted and impatient. Decide to always be sensitive to God's voice. Always listen for what He is saying. In doing so, you will be better equipped to recognize and reject the deceptions of the enemy.