God, Is That You? Discerning the Voice of Godಮಾದರಿ

Have you ever picked up your phone and, without even looking at the caller ID, you just knew who was on the other end? Maybe it was your best friend, your mom, or someone you talk to so often that their voice is unmistakable. You don’t need an introduction because you just know.

That’s exactly how it is with God. He speaks, and His sheep, His people, know His voice. But here’s the question: how do you get to where you can recognize His voice, especially when so many other voices are competing for your attention?

Learning to Recognize His Voice

If we’re honest, there are a lot of voices in our heads. The voice of fear. The voice of self-doubt. The voice of the enemy whispering lies. The world telling us what we should do. Our own emotions trying to lead us in a hundred different directions. So how do we discern which one is truly God?

Think about a baby learning their mother’s voice. From birth, they hear her, they are comforted by her, and over time, they can distinguish her voice from all others. Why? Because of the relationship.

It’s the same with us and God. The more we spend time with Him, reading His Word, sitting in prayer, worshiping, and just being still before Him, the more we recognize when He’s speaking. His voice becomes familiar.

The Stranger’s Voice

A stranger's voice is any voice that contradicts what God has already spoken.

• If the voice you hear makes you anxious, rushed, or fearful, it’s not God. God’s voice brings peace, even when He’s correcting us.
• If the voice encourages you to compromise your values, it’s not God. God’s voice leads to righteousness, not regret.
• If the voice is full of confusion and doubt, it’s not God. God’s voice is clear, full of wisdom, and aligns with His Word.

The enemy loves to disguise his voice, planting thoughts that seem logical but are leading us away from the truth. That’s why we should train ourselves to filter every voice through the Word of God. If it doesn’t align, it’s not Him.

Following the Shepherd

Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” It’s not enough to only hear, but we must also follow. That means even when His voice leads us in a direction we weren’t expecting, even when it requires faith, even when we don’t have all the answers, we trust Him.

Think it Over

Are you making space to hear Him? Are you drowning out the noise of the world long enough to truly listen? Because He is always speaking. It’s just a matter of whether we’re listening.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to recognize Your voice above all others. Drown out the noise of fear, doubt, and distraction so that I can clearly hear You. I don’t want to be led astray by the voice of a stranger. I want to follow You, my Good Shepherd. In Jesus’ name, Amen.