Voices

I am often asked, "How do you distinguish the voices deep within?" An excellent question. My quickest answer is, "Fruit! I watch what results when I follow each impression placed on my heart." I had to learn to discern.

John, the Gospel writer, says in Chapter 13 that at the last supper the devil "had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot" to betray Jesus. In the same way good impressions are placed on my heart by God, Satan enters. The voice I choose to obey brings results. These bear "produce" plainly visible in my life...either fruit of the Spirit or works of the flesh.

Maturity is determined by whether or not good fruit is present and increasing. Do I have more joy, peace, and love today than I did this time last year? If so, God gets the glory. Without Him, I can do nothing. This is clearly explained in John 15.

When I feel my peace and my joy leaving, I know that I am no longer listening to God. That's when I turn immediately and start, once again, seeking the face of God. I don't want to live like that anymore. Been there, done that, not going back.The desires of my flesh no longer enslave me. Hey, I'm human. I still have problems. I am no longer ENSLAVED to them. There are things I cannot defeat with my will alone. I need SUPERNATURAL help.

With God present in me, I don't have to listen to my flesh or to Satan. This is explained in Romans 7 and 8. Pay close attention to the contrast here in the two voices, flesh and Spirit:

"Because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you...the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh...for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."

Which voice is which? Look at the crop! Watermelons don't come from pumpkin seed! HA!