Dear Friends,

I've been really practicing honing in with my thoughts and guarding them against all the voices that are coming at me.

Some days, it feels like there's a lot going on in that mind of mine! Can you relate?

I have good news! As I've grown in my relationship with God, I've discovered that not all of those voices belong to me...and they aren't all God. In fact, we can grow in our ability to hear and discern God's voice. This is essential in the Christian life! Why? Its the difference between hearing God, following His voice, and doing what you were created to do, versus doing the wrong thing your entire life which leaves us empty, unsatisfied, and living without purpose.

It's the difference between meeting God at the end of your life and Him saying, "well done, my good and faithful servant," or "well, you're done!"

I heard a story of a man once who was a decorated soldier; he served this country with honor and integrity for years. He learned a lot of lessons through his service; some of them the hard way. One lesson he learned was about following the right orders from his captain.

So the story goes, he diligently followed the direction of his captain with every assignment given. He worked hard to please the captain, ensuring he followed through with every tedious detail from start to finish.

After many long hours and sleepless nights, the soldier could see the end in sight as he inched closer and closer to completing the daunting task at hand. The task challenged him mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

With sweat on his brow, sore muscles, and a victorious mindset he proudly approached the captain. “Sir! The task has been completed as you requested, sir!”

The captain briefly reviews the stack of paperwork handed to him; perfectly expanding upon the months of tireless work meticulously completed by the faithful soldier.

“Soldierrrr!” The captain yells, demanding the soldier’s motivated attention.

The soldier leans in closer, tilts his head higher, slams his shoulders straighter, responding purposefully with every part of his body. “Yes, sir!”

“This is nothing even close to what I asked you to do, soldier!” The captain slams his blood, sweat and tears of a project into the soldier’s hard chest, and marches off with no explanation.

The diligent soldier gasps for air as his heart drops. This was not the answer he was expecting.

Can you think of a time where you had an experience like this hard working soldier? Maybe you worked tirelessly, diligently, faithfully on a project, only to find out that you were working on the wrong project.

I know I can relate. Even recently I can think of a time where I worked very hard pouring my heart into my project, researching, doing my diligence towards something I thought was the “right direction” only to discover that it wasn’t the direction God had in mind.

There’s a lot of voices going on in the world right now. Many of them seem like the “right” voice to follow, only to find out that the voice was leading you in the wrong direction. In my own mind at times, I have voices telling me I’m happy, I’m sad, go this way, go that way, do this, no—do that!

Brothers and sisters, how do we know which voice is the right voice, which voice is the wrong voice, which voice is God’s voice, and which voice is the enemy’s voice?

Can we really discern the difference? Is there a difference?

Well, the Bible tells us who’s who when it comes to voices.

In fact, Jesus said, “A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:5, 27).

What’s the difference between the “strangers” voice versus God’s voice? Again, we find the answer in Scripture.

The stranger is referred to as the devil in Scripture; also referred to as the thief, the liar, the murderer, and the accuser (John 8:44, 10:10, Rev. 12.10). To summarize, any thoughts within our minds that align with these things are from the enemy. These thoughts sound like fear, anxiety, depression, envy, jealousy, unforgiveness, unbelief, hatred, confusion, or a lack of thankfulness.

“But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” James 3:14-16

On the contrary, God is referred to as the God of hope, peace, abundant life, salvation, joy, prosperity, healing, strength, eternal life, and more. To summarize God’s voice, any thoughts within our minds that align with these life-giving things are from the Lord. These thoughts sound like love, goodness, kindness, acceptance, grace, mercy, forgiveness, gentleness, purity, truth, peace, joy, hope, and so forth.

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17

If we want to grow in our relationship with God, and ensure that we are following the Good Shepherd instead of the thief, we need to properly discern God’s voice.

This is something I continue to grow in every day. When a voice in my head or an emotion in my heart comes that doesn’t sound like God’s voice, by the power of the Holy Spirit I immediately take that thought and emotion, bring it to Jesus in my heart, and replace it with something that I know is the truth about God or who I am in Christ. We find this discipline outlined for us in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

For example, if fear and sadness comes against me in my heart or mind, I say out loud, “No, in Jesus name. I have not been given a spirit of fear and sadness; I’ve been given a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

As we practice hearing God’s, it will become easier to discern His voice. His voice is not loud, booming and audible. Its still, small, quiet, and sounds like your own thoughts. By using our spiritual ears through spending time with Him and His Word, journaling, talking with God, and practicing hearing Him, we will grow in our ability to discern His voice which will make it easier to follow His direction. This is essential if we want to fulfill God’s plans and purpose for our life.

I don’t want to get to the end of my life and discover I’ve been working for the wrong captain, following the wrong orders, and working on the wrong projects. Do you? No, I didn't think so.

God’s voice is always going to lead us to victory in our relationships, careers, health, and finances, ultimately leading us closer to God and His original purpose for our life, so we are whole and experiencing eternal life on earth (1 Thes. 5:23). This is His will for us since the beginning.

At any time in our life, no matter how young or old, we can call out to God and ask Him to help us get back on the course He intended for us.

If you realize you’ve been following the wrong orders and working on the wrong project, pray this prayer with me. “God, forgive me for listening to the wrong voice. Help me to get my life back on track, following You and Your voice alone. Amen.”

I believe that you are hearing God’s voice, and as you eagerly listen for Him and seek Him, you will discover the path to His joy, freedom, and fullness! Watch my video of this teaching here!

Stay Strong In Christ and Steadfast in Faith!
Erin