Risen With Christ: Embracing New Life With Jesusਨਮੂਨਾ

Hearing the Shepherd’s Voice: A Reflection on John 10:27-30

“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, in regard to what he has given me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” — John 10:27-30

As followers of Christ, we are called His sheep, and He is our Good Shepherd. Jesus tells us that His sheep hear His voice, that He knows them, and that they follow Him. But in a world filled with noise, distractions, and temptations, how can we discern His voice from all the competing voices around us? How do we know when it is the Holy Spirit guiding us and not the distractions of the world pulling us away?

The Characteristics of God’s Voice

One of the most important ways to recognize the voice of God is to understand His character. The Holy Spirit will never contradict Scripture or lead us in ways that go against God’s truth. God’s voice is loving, convicting but not condemning, peaceful but not passive. When He speaks, it aligns with His Word and brings clarity, not confusion.

God’s voice:

• Aligns with Scripture – The Holy Spirit will never lead us in a way that contradicts God’s written Word. When you feel a prompting, compare it with what the Bible says.
• Brings peace – Even when convicting us of sin, God’s voice is filled with grace and leads to repentance, not shame.
• Leads to growth – His voice calls us to deeper faith, love, and obedience, drawing us closer to Him rather than into self-centered desires.
• Encourages love and service – Jesus’ teachings and commands revolve around love—loving God and loving others. His voice will always direct us toward kindness, generosity, and humility.

Recognizing the Voices of Distraction and Temptation

Just as God’s voice leads to truth and peace, the voices of the world and the enemy lead to confusion, anxiety, and sin. The enemy’s voice often plays on our fears, insecurities, and selfish desires.

The world’s voice:

• Contradicts Scripture – Temptation often leads us away from God’s teachings, making sin seem appealing or justifiable.
• Breeds anxiety and confusion – Instead of bringing peace, the enemy whispers lies that cause doubt and fear.
• Focuses on self over God – The world tells us to pursue personal pleasure, success, and comfort over obedience to God.
• Justifies sin – The enemy subtly convinces us that wrong choices are acceptable or harmless.

When faced with a decision or a voice calling for our attention, we must ask: Does this align with Scripture? Does this lead me closer to God? Does this bring peace or confusion? By testing the spirits (1 John 4:1), we ensure we are following the true voice of our Shepherd.

Tuning Our Ears to the Shepherd’s Voice

The more time we spend with God, the more easily we recognize His voice. Just as sheep learn to distinguish their shepherd’s call through daily interaction, we grow in discernment through prayer, Scripture, and obedience.

Ways to strengthen your ability to hear God’s voice:

1. Read the Word daily – The Bible is God’s voice in written form. The more you read, the more you’ll recognize God’s voice among all the others in the world.
2. Pray consistently – Regular communication with God keeps your heart attuned to His leading.
3. Listen for confirmation – God often confirms His voice through Scripture, wise counsel, and circumstances.
4. Practice obedience – The more we obey what God has already revealed, the more clearly we will hear Him speak.

Living as His Sheep

Jesus assures us that no one can snatch us from His hand. As His sheep, we are safe under His care. The world will always try to pull us away, but we must remain close to our Shepherd, trusting in His voice and following where He leads.

May we continually seek to hear His voice above all else, walking in faith, obedience, and trust. When we do, we will experience the fullness of life that Jesus promises, knowing we are securely held in the hands of our loving Shepherd.

Prayer: Lord, help me to recognize Your voice above the noise of the world. Give me discernment to know when the Holy Spirit is leading and when distractions are trying to pull me away. Keep me close to You, following in faith and trust. Thank You for being my Good Shepherd, for calling me by name, and for holding me securely in Your hands. Amen.