THE VOICE

About five years ago, I got to learn of a reality TV singing competition called THE VOICE. Having watched the Show, I got to understand why they called it THE VOICE and not A VOICE, or VOICES. Looking at the English grammar, when you use "The" , it means a specific thing. A particular thing.. So, in this show, the judges don't just look for a good singing voice, but a voice that is distinct. Unique in its own way. Meaning, there are voices, but there is one kind of voice they are looking for.

So, having taken the long route to introduce my topic for today, let's now talk about The voice of God. Have you ever been in a situation where you needed God to speak? A state of frustration, confusion, but most of all, desperation? Desperate to hear what God says about a particular thing? Well, I have. And I can boldly say, it's not a good place to be at. I call it the make or break place.. Because depending on the voice you hear, you will end up making a very crucial decision that will change your life forever.

Walking this Christian journey, requires that you learn how to hear the voice of God.. Because this is what will guide you in all that you do..

"When the Voice of God Is Not Heard, Men Go Where God Did Not Send Them"
David Wilkerson, 1988

I have been in that place of wanting to hear God's voice.. Not once, not twice, not thrice. A couple of times. And every time I  have been in that situation, I have learned something new. It is very easy to confuse the voice of God with other voices.
The bible says in

John 10:27-28 KJV
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: [28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

This verse clearly shows us that, for one to hear God's voice, they must belong to Him.  Not looking for God when they have trouble and trying to hear His voice. But rather, a consistent walk with Him and belong to Him, that after a while, you now can clearly tell His voice when you hear it. I am sure there are people people in your life that you know their voices and you would not confuse it with someone else's voice. Why? You have been with them for while. You know them. Question is, Do we really know God?

But let's be real for a moment. How many times have we asked God to speak to us, and then when He does, we are not sure whether it was Him that spoke or we heard other voices? And this brings us back to our point up here. The only way to know if it's God's voice or not, is when we spend time with Him and get to know Him more as the days go by. Our friends, are voices. Our family is a voice. Our spiritual leaders are voices. The society is a voice...Our flesh is a voice, especially when we are under pressure or we want something badly.

Many times, we have listened to these voices and thought it was the voice of God. Maybe because majority said, that was the best thing to do. Sometimes, we believe it's the voice because, everyone is doing it and so on and so forth.
It is only after a while, that we get to realize we followed the wrong voice. When things have turned upside down.. When our world had come crumbling down right before our eyes. And by this time, it is usually too late to make any changes and we end up living with the consequences of our choices.

No one is going to live this life for you. No one else walks in your shoes to know where it hurts the most. Be real with yourself and above all, be real with God.

Forget about what people think is good for you. Somehow, people have become experts of knowing what others need more than what they need. Oh, this is the kind of Job you need to do. Oh, a person like you should be in a church like this one. Oh, a woman like you deserves such a man. Oh, this is the kind of school your children ought to go to, etcetera etcetera. But, what is God saying? Because if you're gonna listen to God's voice, you will need to shut your ears to other voices.  I have come to realize most times we already know what direction to take, and asking to hear His voice is merely asking Him to confirm it. Because most times  He will have given us signs. But human beings!! I don't know what we want sometimes!!! God will give us more than one sign, but no. It's like we want Him to come down and literally drag us to the direction He is pointing us at.

In conclusion, this is what I will say. When you asked God to speak to you, you were alone.. Why then do you want to hear an answer from everyone else? Stop asking people what they think about this situation. Ask God.

How do we get to hear His voice?

1. Seek God
Jeremiah 29:12-13 KJV
Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. [13] And ye shall seek me, and find me , when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

2. Study the Bible
2 Timothy 3:16 KJV
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Of course there are more ways of learning how to hear God's voice. But maybe I will get to share them another time..

I really do hope this writing was of help

Remain blessed and kindly drop something in the comments box

Love,
Luxo