The Sounds of Many Voices
As we enter into the year 1999 we are already carrying many of the upheavals of the past. We have just come out of a bomb campaign against Iraq, The House of Representatives has just impeached the President of the United States, Russia has pulled their ambassador from the United States and has gone on high military alert. China and others have condemned the United States for their aggressive actions and we haven't even heard all the voices yet concerning the problems Y2K may pose on all of us.
With that said, I feel the greater danger is still ahead. It will present itself in the opinions of both the Christian and the secular world of voices. It not that the opinions of people are not important nor should they all be discounted. The problem lies with the truth of such opinions and whether they can be taken to help guide one through the coming storms that lie ahead. To this I say, and refer you to God's Holy Word, that following ones opinion without the truth of God is going to led one into difficult times. Jesus said, "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them in also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." John 10:16. We as Christians need to be in prayer more than ever before, we need to be able to here God's voice and follow Him as He is our Shepherd.
When ones opinion differs from His voice we need to beware. The Apostle Paul gives to us these words of wisdom in discerning God's voice. "We have not received the spirit of this world but the Spirit who is from God, that we many understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words." - I Corinthians 2:12-13. People need to be able to discern the truth of God's word (VOICE) from the many false words that will be given. People need objective signs by which to make an identification of what are true words from God and the many false words that will be given in the coming days. Here are Eight ways to make that identification: I will use the True and False Prophet as examples of True Voices that can be followed and false voices that should not be followed.
This is our part in hearing and knowing what is of God and what is not: The condition of your heart will determine your ability to discern the truth of God and that which is false. If one is un-teachable they will follow around opinions of others without any understanding of God's truth. In fact they may attack the true Prophets with hate and vengeance. However the one who is teachable, seeking God, loving and kind, will know the Truth of God and will follow Him as Shepherd. It is the Shepherd (JESUS) who will protect us and lead us in the paths God has set out before us. Let us follow the Good Shepherd.