Many Voices - Only one worth listening to.

In the hustle and bustle of life, there are so many voices that we could listen to. There are well meaning friends and family who say things thinking they are being helpful, but if you listened to their advice, it would make your situation worse.  Of course not all advice is bad and some of it may be God inspired.  

The fact is there is only one voice worth listening to and that is the Voice of God spoken to us by His Holy Spirit. Just knowing God's word is not good enough. There are many people who know the bible from cover to cover, but it's all head knowledge and doctrine.

It's the Word made alive to us by the Teacher, Comforter and Guide that will change us and take us to where He wants us to be. So I have to learn to listen to His voice speaking to me. As a preacher, I have a great responsibility to make sure what I say does not hinder people but helps them.

"Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." Col 4:5  Grace and wisdom come from the school of the Spirit and He will teach us to walk in wisdom towards others.  We are also told by Jesus, "Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; be wary and wise as serpents, and be innocent (harmless, guileless, and without falsity) as doves."  (Amp) Matthew 10:16.   

There are many who don't have your best interest at heart, and will do and say things that suit their agenda.  That's why we have to be "wary and wise"   That means watchful, not skeptical and aloof, but ever listening to the voice of the Spirit inside.  But at the same time, harmless, guileless, and without falsity.

" Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." Col. 4:6

Words have eternal consequences and can inspire or hinder people. Let grace flow from your heart and mouth so that your words become a source of encouragement and not a hinderance. When you speak, let the Holy Spirit guide you to say the right thing. I have often begun to say something, when I feel a nudge from the Holy Spirit and was able to stop myself and say something different.  It's like a knowing inside that what you are about is not good and God gives us a split second to change the direction of the conversation.  

That's how we prevent gossip. In normal conversation with others, it is very easy to get caught up in talking about someone else, but we have the ability to steer the conversation in a positive direction.

The words you speak and think to yourself are just as important. It is during times of difficulty that we have to guard our minds from thinking the wrong thoughts. Thoughts dictate behavior and can have life changing implications.

Prov 4:23 "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life"

The word heart comes from the root word meaning mind, thoughts, etc. We have to guard our thoughts and make sure our mind has right thinking that comes from God and not from man.   When your mind begins to think a negative thought, immediately reject it and begin to speak what God's word says about the situation.

It's HIS VOICE that matters and when I hear  Him speak, I need to obey.  It's not a case of God lording it over us, but He knows the future and He knows the implications of my wrong decisions and He will correct me, because He loves me with an everlasting love. 

"Father, I pray for everyone who reads this blog, that You would pour out Your Spirit upon them.  Fill them to overflowing with your anointing.  Anoint minds to think God thoughts, that we may be sensitive to your Spirit and the direction He is leading us.  Thank you for a new sensitivity to the Voice of God.  In Jesus Name, Amen. "  

God bless you richly.

 Gil Howard-Browne

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