Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. It's a joy to be with you again, in this sacred space where we gather, united in our love for God and our desire to know Him more. We're here to open our hearts and minds to the wisdom of His Word, to seek His guidance, and to grow in our understanding of His will for us.

Today, we turn our attention to the Book of 1 Samuel, specifically chapter 15, verse 24. It reads, 'Then Saul said to Samuel, 'I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.''

This passage speaks to us about the voices we choose to listen to, the influences we allow to shape our actions, and the power that correct information holds over our lives. These are themes that resonate deeply in our lives today, don't they? Whose voice do we heed? What influences are we allowing to guide us? Are we basing our decisions on truth or on misinformation?

Hearing the Right Voices

Saul chose to listen to the voice of the people instead of the commandment of the Lord. He feared the people and obeyed their voice, and as a result, he transgressed against God. This is a clear example of what can happen when we let the wrong voices guide us. It's a stark reminder that not all voices are beneficial or edifying. Some voices can lead us astray, away from God's path.

How to discern. But how do we know which voices are the right ones? How do we discern between the multitude of voices that surround us? The answer lies in aligning ourselves with God's Word. The Bible is our ultimate source of truth, our guide in this noisy world. By immersing ourselves in the scriptures, we can learn to recognize the voices that align with God's teachings and His will for us.

Still listen to others, but with discernment. This doesn't mean that we should shut ourselves off from the world and ignore all voices except for God's. We live in a society, and it's important for us to engage with others, to listen to their perspectives and learn from them. However, we need to be discerning. We need to test every voice against the truth of God's Word. If a voice contradicts the teachings of the Bible, then it's not a voice we should be heeding.

Be careful of voices that agree with you. Furthermore, we need to be wary of voices that appeal to our desires and emotions, but don't align with God's Word. These voices can be particularly seductive, because they tell us what we want to hear. They promise us happiness, success, and fulfillment, but they don't lead us towards God. They lead us toward worldly pleasures and away from spiritual growth.

Hearing the right voices is about discernment. It's about aligning ourselves with God's Word, testing every voice against the truth of the scriptures, and being wary of voices that appeal to our desires but don't lead us towards God. It's only by hearing the right voices that we can walk in God's path and live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Handling Negative Influences

Saul's transgression was caused, in part, due to negative influences ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO