The Shepherd's Voice
by Mike Rule

People are often confused about how to recognize the voice of God. We hear so many voices in our heads-our own, family members, pastors, teachers, and friends--that we don't know which ones to trust. We get confused over what is of God and what is not. Judging whose voice is not as important as testing the SPIRIT of the voice. We can tell "who" we are actually hearing by the tone of the voice.

We are God's sheep and it is said there are two people who deal with sheep: shepherds and butchers. Light, joy, peace, love, and freedom characterize the shepherd's voice; what He says results in life. The butcher's voice is critical, judgmental, accusing and harsh, with death as the result. The tone of the voice lines up with the character of God as the Shepherd, or the character of Satan as the accuser.

Judging our thoughts and emotions is vital. The enemy loves to whisper to us in a voice that sounds just like our own. He says things like "I'm hopeless; I am a failure; I am stupid; I am worthless; my life will never amount to anything." When we hear this voice, we believe that we thought it and accept it as true. When we do that, we just bought a lie. No matter what person you associate it with, ask yourself if it is the spirit of the butcher or the spirit of the Shepherd. Satan is the father of lies, but Jesus says that His sheep KNOW His voice (John 10:27).