October 10, 2020
Who are the voices we listen to? Who are the voices we speak so highly of to others?
The Voice Behind the Voice
Peter the apostle had two interesting encounters with the Lord Jesus. In one encounter, the Lord praised Peter for communicating truth he received from God.
Matthew 16:15-17 “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.”
In another encounter, the Lord Jesus confronted Peter and said that Satan was speaking through Peter.
Matthew 16:21-23 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
This brings up something important to consider when we are talking about who is the voice behind the voice? Who is the inspiration behind what some people are saying?
We can identify God’s voice because it will be gracious, wise, understanding, compassionate, truthful, and unifying.
We can recognize the devil’s voice because it will communicate slander, accusation, hatred, division, and lies. The Lord Jesus called Satan a liar and the father of lies. Here is a powerful statement by the Lord Jesus made to the religious leaders.
John 8:44 “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
The name Satan means “the accuser” and “an adversary” in the New Testament Greek language. The word devil means “slanderous” and “accusing falsely” in the New Testament Greek language.
We need to use discernment as we listen, watch, and read what others are communicating so we can identify what kind of messages we are receiving. Who is the voice behind the voice?
As believers we always want to gravitate towards those whose messages communicate the values of the Lord and we always want to identify and steer clear of those whose messages communicate values of the devil.
We should carefully consider the values of the voices we listen to regardless of who they are. There is only One voice we should trust and follow and that is the Lord Jesus.
May the Spirit of God guide us in discernment and truth.
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