Voices
We hear voices in our heads all the time.
We’re not crazy because we hear voices (at least not all of us). Most of the time we’re hearing ourselves; we’re giving ourselves instructions, thinking about what we have to do next, thinking about people we care about or mulling things over.
But there are other voices. Maybe not all the time, but a lot.
My dad’s voice shows up every once in a while “You can’t do anything right!” curdles the blood in my veins for a second. Coach Vann’s voice (when I threw up in front of everyone at 8th grade basketball tryouts), ”I was afraid of that!” Interpretation: “I knew you didn’t have what it takes.” Or the voice of the AT&T executive railing in front of a new boss and a room full of V.P.’s, melting away their respect with words heated in hell for immediate delivery.
Then there’s the voice of the evil one himself. Sounds like me but it’s not.
Some call it ‘the inner accuser’. Its whole vocabulary made up of painful words. It nags at me, especially when I’ve been too busy to pray, worship, read my Bible, and spend time with God. It’s not overt until someone does or says something I don’t like. Then it speaks, either about that person or about me. “See, she doesn’t really care about you…she’s just thinking about herself.” “Do you really think you’re different now Regi? You’re the same selfish pig you’ve always been!” “Do you realize what a religious fanatic you are? People think you’re a fruitcake, always talking about God and stuff!”
Storyline calls Satan the ‘imposter’ because he’s so good at making his voice sound like God’s. And being ‘the father of lies,’ he’s constantly whispering his deceptive crap into our heads, trying to confuse us about who we really are. If the father of evil can get us to believe we’re the same as we were before we met Jesus, his chances of leading us back into the stuff we use to do goes way up. When we stay close to Jesus and remember we’re different now…that we’re “new creations in Christ,” we’re less tempted to go the way of the world.
We want to hear that “still small voice”. The one that says “I love you…You’re a new creation in Me…It’s going to be alright…I’m right here…No matter how bad it looks, you’ll get through this, because I’m with you…You’re Mine…I’ll never let go of you…You have not slipped away from Me, no matter what you’ve done. And you never will.”
But we can’t hear a small voice in a large crowd. We have to devote focused time to being with God. Alone. Silent. Attentive. Humble. Open. Without ambition. Listening for His voice in stillness. God wants to speak to us. “My sheep hear my voice,” Jesus says. But we have to withdraw from other conversations…from other voices if we are to hear His.
When you hear one of those other voices blurting out painful accusations, remember to pray. In the very moment of distraction, cry out to Jesus. Ask Him to quiet those voices so you can hear His. He loves you extravagantly. He said “I will never leave you or forsake you, I am with you always, even to the ends of the earth.”
He wants us to hear His voice, but we have to make time to listen.
Question: Will you make time this weekend to praise Him and listen to His voice? Leave a comment here.
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Responses (5)
Reg, Great Post.
I concur that Men who listen to the voices do the things that they do not want to do. Translation – they are an enigma.
I suggest that your readers go to the book store and purchase a book from Henri Nouwen, called “Life of the Blessed.” Henri has a way of getting to the crux of the Matter. You really are blessed. I have used Nowens’s book in my mentoring group and it helped a young man wounded by his father to see that he really is loved and the voices have become less loud.
Outstanding! Looking forward to reflecting on this devotion again this weekend in my quiet time – thanks Regi!
Great post Regi, the inner accuser knows exactly what speaks to each of us once he gets us to fail or keeps us caught up in a failure or a hurt. He is so good at purpetuating shame. Once we recognize him and his schemes, it is a good motivator to find the still small voice. God is so good when we stop to listen to Him alone and get the momentum heading back in the right direction.
Really appreciate these words of wisdom today. Timely. God is good, all the time!
Right on Regi!! Men hear the voices…. as do women. I’m not sure what women do in the way of processing them. I do know that men, more often than not, try to internalize and “deal”with them on their own. Its an ego thing I guess…. I agree that crying out to Jesus is certainly our first defense, but the close second should be to cry out to a brother, that guy who walks the road with us and who knows our heart and most of all who has heard those similar voices and fought the fight….
HeyRegi,
Man, your commentary came at the exact right time for me today.
Tough few weeks at work culminated today with those voices shouting in my head about how inept I am….Your piece thumped my spirit and reminded me whose I really am.
In Christ, a ‘new’ creation. The old has past. All is new!
Heard a preacher say one time, ‘Satan speaks in first person pronouns’.
Making us believe that the garbage he’s feeding us is our own thoughts.
Thanks for sharing what God’s given you.
God’s Peace,
Don