by Dorothy Johnstone 

We hear so many voices in our daily lives that it can be difficult to hear the voice of the Lord. So how do we discern the voice of the Lord? 

Anyone living in western society is constantly exposed to a variety of sounds – the sound of the television, the sounds of selected music. A multitude of sounds will often interrupt normal daily communication between people, and prevent the hearers from inward reflection by their constant distractions. This is why it is important to have quiet time to your self. 

The following scriptures give examples of different voices that can be heard 

• “So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law” (Exodus 18:24)
• “And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long” (Exodus 19:19)
• “And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried” (Numbers 14:1)
• “And the LORD heard the voice of your words” (Deuteronomy 1:34)
• “can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women?” (2 Samuel 19:35)

• ’”and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words” (Ecclesiastes 5:3)

But there are other voices too. However, these voices are less obvious – these are the voices that we hear inside our head. Some of those voices are normal, and some are not. For example, we might think of a meeting that we have arranged, and plan how we are going to get there. This is normal thought, where we are in a sense talking to ourselves, and it is used to accomplish activities in our daily lives.  

Everyone however has experienced the sense of going against their own conscience. Our conscience was given to us in order to discern right and wrong, and we can develop it either for good or evil by the choices we make. This is in the area of the soul, where the mind, the will, and the emotions are. God has made provision for the soul, and there are many scriptures about this area. God warns us about the company we keep because constant exposure to the same people helps moulds decisions that we make whether for right or wrong. 

• “Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?”

   (Proverbs 8:1) 

God also has a voice, and speaks to us by His spirit. When God speaks to us, it is because it is important, and He is intervening to protect and guide us. 

• “And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:13)

God has created us as spirit beings, who also live in a body, and have a mind. Many people dismiss the spiritual, and yet they will often participate in it and not realize that they have exposed themselves to it – for example, there are a multitude of supernatural type television programs that people will watch. This example though is just one of many. Exposure to the supernatural affects us as spiritual beings, and often, without the person’s active awareness, trains those who expose themselves to it. Depending on the level of exposure, and the individual’s personal checklist of their conscience, this can result in people committing heinous acts and when asked why they did what they did they will say that the voices told them to do it. 

To understand spiritual things, we need to read the handbook provided for us by our designer. The Bible has provided scripture as spiritual food, and we need to refer to it daily. Scriptures provide a checklist that also reflect the inward witness of God’s voice. This is called the renewing of our mind, and will enable us to more clearly hear and obey God’s voice.  

• “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people” (Jeremiah 7:23)

May God bless and protect you and keep you safe til the day of your salvation, and forevermore. In Jesus' Name. Amen.