That’s Not MY Voice!

^{“He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.”}

^{John 8:47}

I’m going to let you in on a little secret from my past, but you have to promise not to tell anyone. When my husband was pastoring, he did many funerals. One time a sweet older man in our church passed away. The funeral was in the funeral home. I always accompanied him as much as I could. As normal procedure for me, I would turn the sound off on my phone as I did this day. The funeral was well underway and my husband was speaking at the front of the room. I had my cell phone sitting next to me on top of the pew with the cover closed. In order to get a little more comfortable in my seat, I began to adjust myself. I put my hand on the seat to leverage my move and apparently put pressure on my phone case because all of a sudden I heard Siri in her loudest and clearest voice politely say, “I’m sorry, I didn’t get that.” I immediately began to melt in my seat. My face was turning a lovely shade of crimson. At first, I thought maybe I could look around looking annoyed as though it was someone’s phone behind me and then I quickly remembered that I was in the last pew. No escaping the embarrassment because everyone in the room knew it was me. Not nice! I was mortified.

^{“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;”}

^{Proverbs 2:1-2}

How about the voices that we listen to? Now hopefully these voices aren’t audible although sometimes it seems as though they are. What do these voices say to you? I use to talk and counsel many people and it was amazing how Satan can disguise his voice and people begin to believe his lies. His voice will always be one of discouragement, shame, blame, and negativity.

^{“When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.”}

^{John 8:44-45}

As Christ followers, we need to learn how to distinguish between the voice of Satan and the voice of the Lord. Satan is so deceitful and knows exactly what things to whisper in your ear to discourage you and make you ineffective as a Christian. He knows the things in your life that will stop you and paralyze your Christian walk.

Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

Deuteronomy 32:1

When I talked to people and they verbalized how they felt, my first question to them was always, “Who do you think that feeling or thought comes from?” God will never keep reminding you of your past after you have asked for forgiveness. So where do those thoughts of depression and guilt come from? You’re right. Satan is the one who likes to remind people of their past and tell them that they can’t possibly be any good to God because of it.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Romans 8:1

So, the next time you feel discouraged or depressed, stop and think about the reasons you feel that way. I will guarantee you that Satan is whispering words of guilt and discouragement. His voice will bring fear, shame, and guilt. I like to remind him of his future. God’s voice will always bring peace, conviction and not shame. God’s voice, if you listen, will always lead you to restoration while Satan’s voice leads to destruction. Get in God’s word and let Him speak to your heart. Be still and know that He is God. Listen to God’s encouraging and loving words. Whose voice are you listening to?

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

John 10:27-28