Whose Voice Are You Listening To?

Sharon JaynesEnough, Listening to God, Living Fully, Renewing your mind with the Truth 94 Comments

Do you ever feel like trying to make decisions is like playing a game of Pin the Tail on the Donkey? Remember how it went?

One child is blindfolded, spun around in circles, and pointed in the general direction of a picture of donkey posted on the wall. As she stumbles forward with the tail in her hand, the onlookers shout instructions.

“Move to the right!”

“No, go left!”

“You’re getting colder!”

“Now you’re getting warmer!”

“Go up a little!”

The problem is, not every voice is trying to help. Some children intentionally call out the wrong directions just to throw the blindfolded player off course. So, what does she do?

She listens for the voice she knows she can trust. Maybe it’s her best friend standing somewhere in the crowd. She recognizes that familiar voice, tunes out the others, and follows her friend’s directions one careful step at a time.

Then comes the moment of truth. She pins the tail to the wall, removes the blindfold, and discovers whether she trusted the right voice.

In many ways, that childhood game reminds me of what it’s like to listen to God in a world filled with competing voices. Every day, voices call out directions about how we should think, what we should value, where we should go, and who we should become.

Some of the world’s voices may sound convincing. Some may even sound wise. But not every voice is leading us in the right direction.

Paul wrote: “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)

The New Living Translation says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world.”

And The Message paraphrases the verse this way: “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, turn your attention toward God and allow Him to change you from the inside out.”

Sometimes that’s easier said than done, isn’t it? The world has plenty to say, but so does God.

The world says: Focus on your strengths.
God’s voice says: My power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)

The world says: Get all you can.
God’s voice says: Give generously to those in need. (Matthew 5:42)

The world says: Demand your rights.
God’s voice says: Follow Jesus’ example of humility and put the interests of others before your own. (Philippians 2:3–8)

The world says: Avoid pain at all costs.
God’s voice says: Take up your cross and follow Me. (Matthew 16:24)

The world says: Only the strong survive.
God’s voice says: Trust in Me rather than depending on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5–6)

The world says: Make decisions based on what makes sense to you.
God’s voice says: Let My Word light the path before you. (Psalm 119:105)

The world says: This life is as good as it gets.
God’s voice says: Eternal life is waiting. The best is yet to come. (John 3:16)

The world says: Your happiness depends on your circumstances.
God’s voice says: You can have joy even in the middle of trials because I am working through them. (James 1:2–4)

No wonder we sometimes feel as though we are standing blindfolded in the middle of a noisy room. There are so many voices calling for our attention.

But here is the good news: the more time we spend with God, just like you’re doing today, the more familiar His voice becomes.

We learn His voice by knowing His Word. We recognize His direction because it will always be consistent with His character. We become less easily deceived because our minds are being continually renewed by truth.

God’s Word takes us from cultural confusion to Christ-Centered clarity.

Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27 NIV). Sheep learn the shepherd’s voice because they spend time near him. And so do we.

Paul wrote, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:4–5 NIV).

Human wisdom may sound persuasive, but persuasive doesn’t always mean it’s true. Culture will always have an opinion. The crowd will always have directions. But we don’t have to follow every voice that calls our name. We can tune our ears to the One who knows exactly where we are, sees exactly where we need to go, and loves us enough to lead us there.

So when the voices around you shout, “Go this way!” and “No, go that way!” listen carefully. Find the familiar voice of your faithful Father and Friend.

Then follow Him one step at a time. Because the most important question is, “Whose voice am I listening to?”

Heavenly Father, there are so many voices crying out for my attention. Help me separate opinion from truth. Help me to not get so comfortable with the thinking of this world that I get lax in my stand for truth. I love you, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you’ll stand on God’s truth as THE TRUTH today, leave a comment and say, “I”m standing on God’s Truth.”

Digging Deeper

One of the most important truths we can stand on is what God says about who we are and what we have in Christ. Don’t let the world tell you that you are less than, not good enough, or a failure. Stand on the truth that you are more than enough because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross and His power in you!!! Want to learn more. Check out Enough: Silencing the Lies that Steal Your Confidence. It also includes a Bible study guide that is perfect for group studies!




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Comments 94

  14. I’m standing on the truth. Thank you for your devotional. It’s a good reminder to take a step back and seek the Lord’s voice above the noice.

    Reply

  21. I’m standing on GOD’S TRUTH! Thank you for this devotional this morning! More important than ever in this misguided world we live in!

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  22. Thank you for this lovely story. Just what I need today to help we through the dark season I am in. I am standing in God’s truth and not thw world. He always is looking out for me and for that alone, I tell Him how grateful I am.

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  23. I’m standing on God’s truth! This message was truly a blessing this morning. Thank you allowing God to your message to heal.🙏

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  37. I am standing on God’s truth. Thank you for always sending me a message that reminds me of discerning whose voice is speaking to me; and whose I’m following. 🙏🏼

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  38. I am standing on God’s truth. Thank you for always sending me a message that reminds me of discerning whose voice is speaking to me; and whose I’m following. 🙏🏼
    P.S. I’m receiving a message that this is a duplicate comment. I have not written another comment. Please let me know if you received my comment. Thank you.

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  40. Christ Centred Clarity!

    “…. so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power”

    Whose voice am I listening too?

    I’m standing on GODS TRUTH!

    Thank you Sharon for your challenging and encouraging word this morning! 🌷

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  41. This was so timely. Thank you, Sharon. Just yesterday, a news post/publication was slowly eating away at my faith about a decision and job direction God was asking me to pursue. I read several posts where people gave their opinion that going in that direction in the next 5 years will lead to joblessness. Thank you for reminding me that my faith should remain in the voice of my loving father who has spoken.

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      I always say the problem with options is everybody thinks they are right. I’m so glad the know the only One that is always right!

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  46. What an amazing truth that we have the Holy Spirit to instruct and guide us in truth, thank you, Jesus. I’m standing on God‘s truth.

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  52. I spoke the truth to our church’s pastor and elders. They are not happy with what I said.
    I had also spoken about it privately to a few trusted people for discernment. The pastor and elders said they consider that to be potentially divisive.
    I am meeting with the leaders next Tuesday. I don’t know if I am walking out of the meeting to continue as a member, or finding a new church. It breaks my heart. But all I can do is pray and obey God.

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  63. I’m standing in Gods Truth. I really needed to hear this today.
    Thank you for this beautiful reminder.💗🙏

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  66. Thank you…… Message so very Timely for my life. The world is very noisy. God’s still, small voice takes practice and study to discern. Ongoing work in my life.

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  67. I AM STANDING ON GOD’S TRUTH ♥. I am so grateful for the Godly messages through you and other Christian emails I receive. I cherish that freedom. I Cherish your messages. And I thank you for being willing to share them and your experiences. I learn from them and am blessed. God bless you.

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  72. I am standing on God’s truth. The one and only God, my heavenly Father of truth. Help me Father to stand on that and you.

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  73. Hello Sharon,

    Great message I enjoyed this insight. I made a copy image for my desk.

    God’s word is the truth and staying in his word, we will not slip or stumble through life.
    I am standing on God’s truth today! We are so Blessed!!!

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  77. I’m standing on God’s truth.
    I am teaching our Sunday school class from your book “Take Hold of the Faith You Long For.” We are really growing spiritually and discovering what is trying to hold us back from fulfilling our God given purpose. We are encouraged to keep growing and moving forward and not let the enemy fill us with lies to try and stop us.
    I highly recommend this book to help you grow Spiritually.

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  80. I am standing on God’s Truth. I want to hear God’s voice more clearly for every step, His guidance on every decision I make.
    (I bought this book ” Enough” and plan to read.)

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