Every Nation Faith City - VoicesSample

Day 2 - Different Voices

For many of us, we encounter certain people more than others, close family and friends, friends at church or even our pastors and bosses. So if you are in a crowded space, you won’t turn around every time you hear your name, unless you recognise the person. It is easier to listen to the Voice of a person you know, than a stranger. 

In the Bible, we are often referred to as sheep, and Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Now while a sheep is useful, they are very limited in function. You will never hear of a packing sheep, a guide sheep or an attack sheep. They do, however, have the unique ability to learn the Voice of their Shepherd and respond to it very obediently. 

When we read about Jesus being the good shepherd, we need to know that while His Voice is guiding us to His amazing plans, the Voice of the Stranger will try and lead us astray. The main difference between these voices is the character and motive. ‘Godly voices’ call and draw us closer to God, while ‘Evil voices’ drive us away and scatter us. 

Here are some helpful ways to discern between the two (taken from Pieter Coffee’s Book, Voices)

Character Qualities of Shepherding Voices:

Draws closer, brings comfort, communicates love and acceptance, a peaceful, welcoming feeling.

Character Qualities of Evil Voices:

Scattering effect, discomfort, pushy, communicating fear, pressure, greedy, selfish, rejection, strange feeling.

In today’s devotion, take a moment to reflect on your own life, and ask God to show you where you have listened to His Voice in the past and to show you where you may have listened to other voices.