When I begin using this gift that God has bestowed upon me, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I stepped out on faith and after I took the first step, God has never left my side. Now if you want to know if the devil has been busy, the answer is yes, multiplied by 3. It seems that he is trying to attack every way he can, but I am not deterred because I knew this would surely be a part of it, so I welcome the games and tricks because I’m covered by the blood, so all is well. I know that I don’t usually get too personal in my devotionals, but I couldn’t help but share because of the word that God has given me to give to you on this morning. See, when I asked the question of whose voice are you listening too, I am not speaking of a physical voice from family and friends, but I am referring to the voice of God or the devil. As a Christian, we are all able to hear God speaking to us, but we have to be able to distinguish it from the fast paced life that we live. I, too, am busy handling the multiple things that I have already planned and the few unexpected situations, so sometimes I become too busy to hear God talking. But I’ve learned to slow down since I started this blog because I want to be able to hear his word clearly, especially if I am being a blessing to you. This is even added to my morning prayer before I begin to type one letter.
Now, in order to hear God’s word, you have to first know God and to know him you must study his word. It isn’t like meeting a friend who you can talk to and they tell you all about themselves, but God has left all you need to know about him in his book, the bible. James 1:18 says “He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.” If we study God’s word, then we get to know him and in getting to know him we know the word. Many times we are often led astray because we follow those who say they are working for God. But how do you know if your Pastor is actually studying the word if you don’t? If I wrote these devotionals without studying, I could tell you anything and if you didn’t study for yourself, then how would you know if I was leading you the right way? Just by reading the word that God has given me, it alone won’t save you because you have to give an account for yourself and using the excuse that I made you do it, won’t work at the gates. 2 Timothy 2:15 say “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” See, while studying the word, you also get an understanding of the word. Don’t get me wrong, this is not an easy task and it won’t happen overnight but don’t give up. I’m learning every day and every day it’s exciting. It’s like taking a class for school or even a training class at work. When you first begin, you might not have a full understanding, but if you continue to study its then that you gain a better understanding of what you’re studying. Proverbs 4:7 says “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Studying God’s word for yourself gives you better clarity. Yea, I’ve also found that have it broken down by others helps too, but it’s their opinion. You have to form your own understanding because when you have understanding, you open your ears to hear God and in order to hear him, you have to come to him with your ears and heart open ready to receive what he places in your spirit. In Isaiah 55:3 it says, “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.” See, God made David a ruler over nations because he listened. How many blessings have you passed on because you didn’t listen to the voice inside of you?
Now, hold on, wait one second because not all voices are good voices. Take for an example, you’re married but you and your spouse are having problems. You don’t give him the time he needs and he doesn’t give you the time you need. You go to work every day tired of the same old argument and the lack of concern that he or she shows you. They haven’t even noticed your new haircut, suit or tie but your co-worker did. He or She walks by every morning to pay you a compliment on your clothes, hair and even your smell. They’ve invited you out for lunch a few times and you’ve always said no, because you’re married. But Friday, you’re fed up with home and the voice inside is saying “It’s just lunch,” and before they can finish the question, you’ve said yes. Now you’re sitting across from them at lunch, fantasizing, because they are saying all the things you are missing at home. The voice again says, “What one won’t do..,” and now you’re having an affair. Baby, you knew before you accepted lunch that this wasn’t God speaking but the first thing you say, “God knows my heart!” Yes, God may know your heart but it doesn’t mean it isn’t filled with sin and unless you repent with your mouth, the sin that YOU’VE committed, you won’t be forgiven for it. See, the devil knows your wants and he has wrapped them all up in a blue suit or dress and sat them on your doorstep and you’ve unwrapped the bow without giving it a second thought. You have to decipher the voice that you hear for yourself because you’ve been warned in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” The thief, in my context, is the devil. He doesn’t send you blessings (yes, the devils blesses too) because he wants you to blessed but because he wants you to spend eternity with him and if you sin, without repenting, that’s exactly where you’ll be.
You know how you see somebody begging for money, an ad asking for volunteers, a request for prayer from a friend or a person in need and you have this tugging on the inside that’s pushing you to do it – that’s God. When you see something in a store that you just have to have and you know you don’t have the money, and a voice says get it and you take it anyway – that’s the devil. When you see a friend, who you know has been going through some things, headed your way and you feel the need to stop and give them a hug – that’s God. But when you see somebody, who you know has been going through some things, and you feel the need to give them a hug yet you don’t want to be bothered, so you go the other way – that’s the devil. If God is in you and you’re a Christian like you talk to be, then it’s your duty to help always and not just when it is convenient for you. Proverbs 17:17 says “A friend always loves, and a brother is born to share trouble.” Also, as friends, true friends, we are supposed to tell each other the truth regardless if it hurts or not. You knew your friend looked a hot mess before you all left the house or when your spouse asked you how he looked and you said fine when you knew those pants were too short, that voice said to say something but you didn’t because you didn’t want to hurt their feelings, now folks are looking at them crazy and you pretend not to notice. Chile, stop it! The bible says in Proverbs 27:6 “Wounds made by a friend are intended to help, but an enemy’s kisses are too much to bear.”
Before you listen to that voice that is inside of you, you must pray for a spirit of discernment. Discernment is described as the activity of determining the value and quality of a certain subject or event. When you pray for discernment, God will give you a spirit that will distinguish between what is good and what is not. But again you have to be open and ready to receive that for which you pray for because he will give you just what you asked for. So, to sum it all up you have to receive God, get to know God by studying his word, put his word into practice, open your ears and mind to receive God’s word and then work. There is no sense in asking God to speak to you and then you sit on what he asks you to do. Sometimes, he’ll ask you to go when you just got home and comfortable on the couch but go anyway because God will go for you even when you don’t deserve it.
Lakisha, the Author 