EXCUSE ME, WHO IS SPEAKING?

There is always a voice behind every voice. Which one do you hear? Sometimes, when people speak to you, try to listen. I’m not asking you to be unnecessarily judgemental about people but I want you to pay attention to the view I’m going to share.

Often, when the enemy wants to bring bad suggestions to you, he goes through the least sources you can’t imagine. When the devil wanted to bring Eve down, he came through the serpent, an unlikely source. When the enemy wanted to finish Samson, he came through Delilah, the least source- she was his Lover! To Abraham, it was through his wife, Sarah that the voice spoke through and he slept with Hagar and the outcome was Ishmael and today that outcome is still being battled.  When the enemy wanted to get Jesus, he came speaking through Peter, and Jesus, being who he is, rebuked Peter knowing that it was not really Peter but it was about the one speaking through him.

Asking for God’s direction is one of the ways to decipher the voice in every voice.
That is the way to avoid falling victim to the voice of Jacob having the skin of Esau. Today, this abounds, deceit that comes in very colourful packages, voices that are sweet to the ear with not-so-good intentions.

        Think about this; when that guy sweeps you off your feet with that Range Rover Sports car, have you asked him about his job. He buys you Shawama and he is shouting at you. Don’t worry; he will soon make you pay.

Or maybe you just met this girl with such impeccable make-up and you’re already falling head over heels. Then she calls you ‘Baby, Sweetie…' and you are already melting. Stop falling for the antics of the wrong voice, go for the real thing. Look well at the package, does it have content?

‘Hello!  Who is speaking? Who am I talking to?’

Be attentive, listen clearly and carefully and beware when the enemy is speaking through a close friend. Be careful of the friends you keep. Some are meant to be in the outer court and the others are meant to be in the Inner court. Remember, you tend to share stronger resemblance with those in the Inner court and their views tend to rub off on yours, knowingly or unknowingly.

That suggestion that will destroy your integrity; who is it coming from? That plan to embezzle that fund; who is it coming from? Integrity, just like good name is hard to build but takes little to destroy. Remember, a lie that is strongly emphasized in an atmosphere devoid of truth takes the ample place of truth. Don’t give into the wrong voice because subtly and gradually, it erodes principles and gives footing to wrong ideologies.

Friends, don’t be deceived. I pray that God will guide our ways. May you never lose your guard because you perceive the enemy as familiar and friendly. Don’t lose your guard because you attend the same church or he or she comes from such and such a place. Get to know who that person you are hanging out with is and then be attentive when wrong suggestions come from a familiar source. Be true to your values; be true to yourself. May you not be taken unawares when the wrong voice is speaking.

You will live long; you will live above the deceit of familiar voices!
Be Bold, Be Positive, Be Wise!