Discerning Between Voices Series

In a world filled with countless voices, messages, and influences, one of the greatest challenges we face as believers is discerning which voice is truly from God. Every day, we are bombarded with information—from the media, our culture, and even our own inner thoughts—that competes for our attention. In this environment, it’s easy to become confused, overwhelmed, or led astray by the wrong voice.

The Bible warns us that not every voice we hear is from God. In 1 John 4:1, we are given a clear instruction: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God." This is a crucial reminder that discernment is key in our walk with God. Not every voice that sounds spiritual is from the Holy Spirit. The enemy is a master of deception, and our own minds can sometimes lead us astray as well. Therefore, we must be diligent in testing the voices we hear, ensuring that we are following the voice of the Good Shepherd.

Discerning between voices is not just about knowing what to listen for, but also recognizing what to avoid. In this sermon, we will explore the importance of spiritual discernment, how to distinguish between the voice of God, the voice of the enemy, and the voice of our own desires. By learning to identify the source of the voices we hear, we can avoid deception, walk in truth, and follow the path that leads to life.

1. The Call for Spiritual Discernment

Discerning between voices begins with a clear understanding of spiritual discernment. Discernment is not just a natural ability—it is a spiritual gift and a skill that must be cultivated through prayer, study of the Word, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. The Bible calls us to be vigilant and alert, testing everything we hear to ensure that it aligns with God’s truth.

In 1 John 4:1, the Apostle John gives a clear directive: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God." This instruction highlights the fact that not every spiritual experience or voice comes from God. There are false prophets, deceiving spirits, and worldly influences that masquerade as truth, and it is our responsibility to test them. Discernment helps us sift through the noise, separating what is true from what is false.

In the Old Testament, we see numerous examples of God’s people being led astray by false prophets who claimed to speak for God but were actually driven by selfish motives or demonic influences. In Jeremiah 23:16, the prophet warns the people of Judah: "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord." This serves as a powerful reminder that just because someone speaks with authority or claims to have a word from the Lord, it doesn’t mean that they are speaking the truth.

The same is true today. In our modern world, we encounter voices that sound authoritative, spiritual, and even biblical, yet they are not aligned with God’s heart. This is why we need discernment. We must be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, who "searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." They didn’t just accept what they were told—they tested it against the Word of God. Similarly, we must measure everything we hear against the standard of Scripture.

Developing spiritual discernment requires humility and dependence on the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14 reminds us that "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Discernment is not something we achieve on our own—it is a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The more we rely on the Holy Spirit, the more we will be able to discern the voice of God from the false voices around us.

But discernment is not just about avoiding deception—it is about seeking the truth. In John 16:13, Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will "guide you into all truth." The Holy Spirit is our guide, leading us into the truth of God’s Word and helping us recognize the voice of our Shepherd. As we grow in our relationship with the Holy Spirit, we become more sensitive to His leading and more attuned to His voice.

2. Recognizing the Voice of God

One of the most critical aspects of spiritual discernment is recognizing the voice of God. Jesus said in John 10:27, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." As believers, we are called to be sheep who know the voice of our Shepherd. But recognizing God’s voice is not always easy, especially when there are so many competing voices around us. How do we know when it is God speaking and not our own thoughts or the enemy’s lies?