I watched a gaggle of eight-year-olds play a game of Pin the Tail on the Donkey. One was blindfolded, spun around in circles, and then pointed in the direction of a donkey posted on the wall. As she made her way toward where she thought the donkey was waiting, her friends yelled out which way she should go.
“Move to the right!”
“Move to the left!”
“You’re getting cold!”
“Now you’re getting warmer!’
“Go up a little!”
Some of the voices intentionally tried to mislead her, but I could tell she was trying to pick out the voice of her closest friend, someone she could trust. After returning the donkey’s tail to its rightful position, or pretty close to it, she removed her blindfold to see if she had chosen correctly.
This made me wonder, whose voice am I listening to today?
The Bible says that we are in a spiritual battle with the world, the flesh, and the devil (Ephesians 2:2-3). All three are whispering to lead us in the opposite direction of where God wants us to go. When I say whispering, I’m not talking about an audible voice, but an inner inkling.
How do we tell if the voice we’re hearing is the world’s, the flesh (the way we’ve been programmed to get our needs met apart from Christ), the devil’s, or God’s?
By knowing the Truth from God’s Word.
What are the world’s voices? They are the voices of the temporary values that oppose the life of Christ in the believer—human systems that oppose God’s purposes.
See, from the time we are born, we are programmed by the world around us. From movies to media, education to entertainment, and friends and family, we are pushed to fit into cultural norms and expectations. As long as we are in the world, we will have the tension of discerning whether the wooing we hear is from God or from the world.
All through John chapters 14-17, Jesus prays for us to be in the world but not of the world—not persuaded by world systems and ideas. Here are a few differences.
- The world says weakness is unacceptable.
- God’s voice says when you are weak, the power of the Holy Spirit in you will make you strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
- The world says get all you can.
- God’s voice says give to everyone who asks. (Matthew 5:42)
- The world says claim your rights.
- God’s voice says give up your rights. (Philippians 2:5-11)
- The world says only the strong survive.
- God’s voice says only those who depend on Him will thrive. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
- The world makes decisions based on common sense.
- God’s voice tells us to make decisions based on His Word. (Psalm 119:105)
- The world says divorce if marriage gets difficult.
- God says what He has joined, no man should separate. (Mark 10:9)
- The world says this is as good as it gets.
- God’s voice says the best is yet to come. (John 3:16)
- The world says seek happiness in your circumstances.
- God’s voice says seek joy despite your circumstances. (James 1:2-4)
Some of the mostly worldly people during the time of Christ were the Romans. Paul wrote to the church in Rome, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2 NIV).
I love how Peterson paraphrased that verse in The Message: “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”
So, whose voice are you going to listen to today? If we listen to the right voice, we will make the right choice.
Father God, help me to listen to the right voices today. Give me wisdom to shut out the voices of the world, the flesh, and the devil and to take in the voice of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
If you want to hear from God today, leave a comment and say with me, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Do you want to learn more about how to listen to God’s voice? My book, Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God will help you understand the many ways God speaks today and help you tune your spiritual ears to the right frequency to hear Him speak.
© 2022 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.
Comments 143
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening
Speak Lord your servant is desperately listening.
Speak Lord your servant is listening
Speak Lord, your servant is listening
Speak Lord your Servant is listening! I believe He will lead us to our new church home! Where the leader is a shepherd/pastor after your heart and his wife is a woman of God/help meet that is pure. I praise you for their Bible believing/teaching/preaching and living ministry for the entire family! Amen!
Speak Lord, your servant is listening
“Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Speak Lord your servant is listening
Speak Lord, Your servant is waiting.
Sorry for the error..
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
Help me make the right decisions.
Thank you Sharon for this wonderful reminder to keep my spiritual ears turned into our Heavenly Fathers voice. Years ago the Casting Crowns wrote a song called the “Voice of Truth” It is still my go to song when the devil tries to feed me lies. It is my choice, and I choose to believe our God.
Author
I love that song too.
Sharon, thank you for your words of wisdom! God has used Proverbs Women ministry in so many ways to minister to my brokenness. My husband were separated for 3 months and we thought we were done and ready to get divorced. We’ve been married 44 years and have 3 children plus 5 grandkids. Please pray for our family. We have been broken for many years because of the way we’ve done life as husband and wife. The separation caused even more drama! 2 of are children are pretty damaged in many ways! My daughter needs Jesus to heal a lot of her wounds from me and other choices she’s made in her life. My stepson is damaged from my husband and first wives divorce. We raised him and I was not a kind loving mother to him. I’ve been just now getting healing at 65 years old from rape and molestation that happened to me ar a very young age and tried to do life being a wounded girl and women. I made lots of mistakes my life. In January Jesus met me in my darkness and saved me from a life of regrets. His forgiveness is so amazing. I’m a new creature in Christ now. My husband and are back together in marriage counseling and getting healthier everyday. A lot to unpack but we’re doing it! God is good! He restore everything in our lives! His amazing love never changes! Thank you all there at Proverbs Woman for pouring into women’s lives daily. Blessings on the ministry!
Author
That is wonderful news!!!!!
Cathy my heart breaks for you I can feel your brokenness in your words. I have been married 53 years the first 10 were awful my husband drank a lot and all I could think of was divorce. I used to listen to doctor Dobson everyday his encouragement is what got me through a lot plus counseling with my pastor who also encouraged me. I will be praying for you.
Thanks Jody, I looked up the song and it is a gem. Bless you.
Speak to me Lord! Your daughter and servant is listening! 🙏🏼💙 Snen!
Speak Lord Your servant is listening!!!
Speak Lord, your servant is listening❤️
Praying for a change of heart in Tom towards me. A softening and for his True Salvation.
“Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Speak Lord, your servant is listening. Open my eyes to see you, my heart to love you more, my ears to hear you, and my mind to obey and follow you.
Author
Amen.
Amen! Love that
Lord hear our prayer.🙏🏽
Speak Lord, your servant is listening. Oh, how I want to hear You!.
Speak Lord your servant is listening. Speak to me Lord I’m listening. I want to hear your voice and only your voice. I want to do your will. Without you I am nothing. Without your guidance I can’t make wise choices, Godly choices. With you Lord I can do all things. With your guidance I can’t go wrong. So Speak Lord your servant is listening!!!
Author
Amen.
Speak Lord, I want to hear and obey your voice today and forever. Pour more.of your wisdom into me as I walk with you to do your will. Continue to lead and guide me through this world. In your loving name. Amen.
Author
Amen.
Speak to me Lord, your daughter is here, listening, waiting to hear from her trustworthy, faithful Father who has always done what is best for her, and always makes things work out for her good. Thank you Lord Jesus, thank you for guiding me in Truth Holy Spirit. Amen.
Author
Amen.
I forgot one of His greatest characteristics as Father, not only is He Faithful and Trustworthy, but He is Loving! Everything He does is motivated by His Steadfast, Unfailing Love for us. We can lean back into the loving arm of such a beautiful Father and Savior 🥰
Thank you Sharon 🙏🕊
Thank you so much.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening. I am a willing vessell.
Speak to me Lord… your servant is listening..
Who is Peterson in the message
Eugene Peterson who authored “The Message” Bible translation.
Speak Lord, your daughter is listening Abba Father.
“Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Thank you for today’s message. It hits close to home.
“Speak Lord, your servant Is listening.”
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
Speak Lord your servant is waiting
Speak Lord, your servant is listening
As I read and prayed over this email. I. was set back a bit when it was stated that divorce is not an option when things get difficult, If you are in an abusive marriage as i was it is the only option. You should be filled with joy and not where you fear for your emotional and financial health daily .Tough chooses made by women of the Lord
Author
The devo doesn’t say that divorce is not an option. The Bible clearly gives an out. Matthew 19:9 and 1 Corinthians 7 are two examples. Physical abuse is never acceptable. A woman should always make it a priority to be safe. And a man, for that matter, if he has an abusive wife, which is probably very rare.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening. It’s Your truth I want to hear and obey, not the world’s truth. 🙏🏻
Oh, how I were better at listening to Him! Speak Lord, your servant is listening!
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
Speak lord your Servant is listening to you
Lord speak, I’m listening and wanting Your will to be done not mine. Help me to discern and know Your voice. Give me wisdom, guidance, and direction for the future.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening. My heart and mind are open to you. I don’t want to follow those other voices anymore.
Speak my Lord, your servant is listening.
“Speak Lord, your servant is listening…” show me the right path, help me be more like you, tell me what to do…
Speak Lord your servant is listening. Use me to help others as I am learning through this trial,as I trust you that all things work together for good. Thank you Jesus .
Speak Lord, your servant is listening…
Speak Lord your servant is listening. Help me to quiet the world noise and hear you.
“Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
“Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Thank you this message was needed, I need to turn down the noise of the world, and just be with our Father…. Speak Lord your servant is listening.
Thank you , o been a Christian for many years . I have taken Gods word and stood firm on it, knowing that it goes forth to produce ….does not return void. Prayers were answered yet not the way I thought they would end . I stood for my marriage ,God healed it and we remarried . Didn’t make it a full year of new marriage and God took Jim home to heaven .
Lost my Dog to cancer four years later . Just lost my mom .
I see my sons getting further away from God my son James us really off the right path . He use to walk the neighbor with me singing praise songs .
I try sharing with him and he hangs up or cuts the cord per say. Son Robert argues about it. Doesn’t raise his kids in the knowledge of the lord . Yet buddha is OK mentioned and all that it’s just weird.
Son Don is more Receptive .
Author
Here’s something I try to remember with adult children: When they are little you talk to them about God. When they are adults, you talk to God about them. One thing you want to do is to keep the relationship between you and them healthy. Most likely, what you are saying they already know. It is so hard not to keep telling them the truth, but you want to make sure that you don’t push them away. Pray, pray, pray. God is always working behind the scenes.
“Speak Lord, your servant Is listening.”
Thanks for this today, He knows how hard it is sometimes for me to be still and listen
“Speak Lord, Your servant is listening”
Speak Lord, Your servant is listening i
Speak, Lord, For your servant is listening.
As my husband and I seek to downsize, and move away from our area to new grounds, help us to be optimally Godward in all our decisions. Please choose and bless the new owners of our home, and may we bring you glory in our every interaction, in Jesus’ stron Name.
Author
Amen.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Speak Lord. Your daughter is listening. Help me to hear your voice above the cacophony of voices in the world and to discern your truth. Amen
Speak Lord your servant is listening….oh how I needed this word today! Thank You!
Speak Lord your servant is listening and may the prodigals hear your voice today.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Speak Lord your daughter is listening, help me become sensitive to your voice. 🙏
Please speak to me Lord, your servant Pamela is listening
Speak Lord, your servant is listening!
Speak Lord your servant is listening. Heal our family. Use me to share your loving grace and truth. In Jesus precious name. Amen.
Speak Lord your servant is listening. Heal our family. Amen.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening
Speak Lord your servant is listening. This was my prayer today before I read this. Confirmation He wants to speak but I need to be listening.
Speak Lord, Your servant is listening
Speak Lord your servant is Listening!
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.
“Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
BOY, did I need this today….and LOTS of other days too! I definitely need to LISTEN more, that’s why I have two ears and one mouth!
Speak Lord , your servant is listening! Help me Lord to hear your voice today and obey.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening. Thank you. It can be very hard to live in this world these days and at times it’s too easy to go against what we should really do. Praying for strength to make the right decisions and abundance of discernment.
“Oh Abba, please speak..
I am waiting to hear Your life-giving voice.
Holy Spirit, rain down on us.”
As a widow of 4 years after 59 years of marriage I need direction. God has been faithful in meeting my needs and I praise HIM for it. My children care about me and help all they can. I need clear direction as to moving or not. It is so so difficult when living in one place such a long time. All the memories of raising a family there.
I need to hear HIS voice in this matter.
Author
I pray that His voice with be loud and clear!
Speak Lord your servant Tiffany is listening!
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
Speak Lord your servant is listening
Speak Lord your Servant is listening
Speak Lord For Your Servant Is Listening.
Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening.
Speak Lord your servant is listening.I want to hear You!
“Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Speak Lord your servant is listening.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening. Fill me with your peace, grace and humility. I pray our prodigal daughter will come home
‘’ Speak Lord , Your Servant is Listening ‘’
‘’ Speak Lord , Your Servant is Listening ‘’
Speak Lord Your Servant is Listening
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
Lord, help me make the right decision.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening. 👂❤️🙏
Speak Lord, your servant is listening 💜
Patti
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
May we seek our truth from your words and your ways.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
Speak to me Lord, your servant is listening. Order my steps through your word. Glory!
Speak lord, your servant is listening 🙏
Speak Lord, your servant is listening. 👂
Speak Lord your servant is listening. As I quiet my spirit and hear your voice and refrain from talking but listening with my heart ❤️
Speak Lord, your servant is listening
Speak to me Lord, your servant is listening
Speak Lord your servant is Listening.
This was a wonderful word. I read all the comments there are so many needs I hold them all up to you Lord you know each and everyone’s needs. Relationships are being attacked, marriages are falling apart we so desperately need the Lord.
Lord your servant is listening.
Speak Lord. Your servant is listening.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
“Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Thank you Lord for always meeting me where I am at and letting me know I am not alone, You are always with me. Speak Lord, your servant is listening. I pray Your voice will silence any lies the enemy may whisper in my marriage. Thank You Jesus. Amen 🙏
Speak Lord your servant is listening.
“Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Speak Lord, your servant is listening!!
Been trying to get this right for awhile now. Been trying to trust and obey yet I feel like my spirit has went on vacation. I feel broken. Cannot for the life of me figure out what I am doing wrong to hear from the Lord……Patiently waiting….
Author
He knows your heart!
Speak Lord, Your servant is listening… Amen
Speak Lord, your servant is listening
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Speak Lord…Your Servant is listening. I so need to hear You!!!! Now more than ever!
“Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Romans 12:2 has been my verse for this year and I like how the NLT says it, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.“
I definitely need God’s help to change the way I think.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
Speak Lord….Your Servant is listening…Yes Lord…Amen
Speak Lord, Your servant is listening.
Speak Lord, your servant Naa is listening.
Speak Lord, your servant is listening
Speak Lord, your servant is listening, and I need to hear your voice today. Please.
“Speak Lord, your servant is listening”
WOW, speak Lord your servant is listening. That story you shared at the beginning was good to bring the point home on how many voices around us we have to discern. I enjoyed reading this post because you shared a perspective I had not heard before with your story. Plus God gave me a whole download when you shared Eph 2:2-3, I forgot all about that scripture. Thanks for sharing, bookmarking this website. I was extremely bless by this!
God bless
Speak Lord your servant is listening
Speak audiblely and inodiblely to your son Lord ,,your son is listening to you continously and ready to obey you and do your clear voice and will