Whose Voice Are You Listening To?
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!
