Whose Voice?

        As born again believers, our desire is to hear the voice of God. It is incredible to realize the God who created the universe wants to have a relationship with us and to speak to us. But often we wonder, whose voice am I hearing? Is it the voice of God , my own voice, the voice of the world, or even the voice of satan? The following are five characteristics of God's voice.

1. Authorative
       Jesus spoke with authority. "...He was in the synagogue teaching on the Sabbath, and as before, the people were entrhalled by His words. He had a way of saying things - a special uthority, a unique power" (Luke 4:32 VOICE).

      In Mark 4, when Jesus calmed the storm, He did it with authority. The Greek word used is phimotheti, which literally means, "be muzzled".

      "I am God, the only God...incomparable, irreplaceable-From the very beginning telling you what the ending will be, All along letting you in on what is going to happen, Assuring you, 'I'm in this for the long haul, I'll do exactly what I set out to do'" (Isaiah 46:10 MSG).

2. Scriptural
     God's voice rings throughout the pages of Scripture, for He is the author. If the voice we hear contradicts God's Word, it is not from God.

     "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

3. Relational
     God's desire is to have a relationship with us. Adam and Eve lost relationship with God when they heeded the lies of satan and bowed their knee to him. Jesus came to earth to restore our relationship with the heavenly Father. When He cried on the cross, "it is finished", the veil to the Holy of Holies in the Temple was torn in two.
 
     "Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]" (Hebrews 4:16 AMPC).

4. Convicting

     God's voice through His Word convicts us of our sin and draws us to repentance. His voice does not dondemn or shame:that is the voice of satan. God speaks words of life and not death.

    "Or do you have no regard for the wealth of His kindness and tolerance and patience [in withholding His wrath]?. Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God's kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking-seek His purpose for your life]?" (Romans 2:4 AMP).

5. Discernable

     God has promised those who know Him will hear His voice. He has given us His Holy Spirit to help us with this task.

     "The sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't know his voice" (John 10:3-5).

     "My sheep respond as they hear My voice; I know them intimately, and they follow Me" (John 10:27 VOICE).

     In conclusion, God speaks and we can hear His voice. And His voice will always lead us into truth. "When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into the full truth. He won't speak on his own. He will speak what he hears and will tell you about things to come" (John 16:13 NOG).

Inspiration provided by Nancy Taylor, "Ten Characteristics of God's Voice", February 10 2018