Encouragement

My Sheep Know My Voice

by Mindy Galloway
10/09/15
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  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

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There are so many daily demands for our attention.

Each demand is motivated to lead us to the author of the demand’s desired action. 

Think about it…

Commercials – purchase the advertised product

Music – purchase the played selection

Sports – financially support the particular team through ticket sales, paraphernalia, etc

Get in shape – buy a particular gym membership, vitamin supplement, exercise apparatus, latest/hottest super-food
Movies -… ticket sales, food purchase 

Many demands, many voices, two common goals –more of our time and more of our resources.

When I first entered the work force my employer offered an automatic charity deduction to my charity of choice.  A friend of mine working for the same organization asked how  can we know which charity to support.  I interpreted that question to mean… how can we know which voice to listen to.

Today many people struggle with that very same question.  Many voices are heard throughout the course of the day presenting constant opportunities to choose which voice to follow.  As Christians we understand there is only one voice that we should follow, and our leader clearly acknowledges that His sheep will know his voice (John 10:1-21).   The referenced passage describes the good shepherd who gives his life for the sheep, the wolf, and the hireling who careth not for the sheep. 

The Voice of the Hirelings

The hirelings care about worldly wealth, fame, and power with no concern over how the sheep are trampled for the hirelings perceived success.  The sheep don’t always recognize the traps of the hirelings.  The hirelings attack at the very core of the family and home.  They distract the family relationship with busy schedules, keeping the family of sheep from study time, fellowship, active prayer, charity, and witness.  There are sports schedules, fitness schedules, music schedules, party schedules, work schedules, overtime schedules.  Are these activities wrong?  Not at all.  The question is … are we able to hear the good shepherd’s voice in all of the activities?  Certainly His voice is there… our challenge is to listen closely so that we:

1. 
   

   Follow the right .. sports strategy that doesn’t compromise His spirit 



2. 
   

   Follow the right fitness regime that seeks glory for Him and not elevation of our egos



3. 
   

   Follow the right musical notes and lyrics that lead the listeners to righteousness and not folly



4. 
   

   Follow the right events that keep us in holy fellowship vs events leading to moral and physical decay



5. 
   

   Follow schedules where we provide good service, but our time is not compromised making work even more important than God’s purpose 

Again, how do we know who’s voice to listen to?  There is a litmus test for the voice of the hirelings, see Philippians 4:4-9, key verse below.

4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

The Voice of the Wolf

The word wolf, as referenced in the Bible, is used to symbolically describe deceitful and greedy people.  The wolf is the largest of wild carnivorous canines, known for its boldness and fierceness of attack.  Wolves often kill more than what they are able to consume because the taste of blood sends them into a frenzy. 

The book of Jeremiah, chapter 5, illustrates the consequences of listening to the voice of the wolf.  Verse 6 warns that the wolf of the evening shall spoil the sheep, or take away their goods. 

How can we avoid the wolf?  His voice will not be one familiar to us.  The word voice here means “his sayings or his language”.  Hence what is unfamiliar to the ship will be the “concepts, ideas, principles, language, etc.” of the wolf. 

Often times this comes in the form of things that are “too good to be true..” or opportunities that are “just that simple”. Too good to be true translates into … an unfamiliar practice, concept, or voice.  When it’s completely unfamiliar nor does it sound right… FLEE!!!

The Voice of the Good Shepherd

The Bible tells us the voice of the good shepherd is:

1. 
   

   Known by the sheep



2. 
   

   The voice calls the sheep by name



3. 
   

   Leads them to nourishment (John 10: 1-21). 

The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (John 10:11).  Key point here is the word giveth is used in present tense, meaning this exchange is still available to millennial sheep, not just the sheep of Biblical times.  The good shepherd’s voice, sayings, ideas, and principles lead to nourishment and life more abundantly.  These principles of fulfillment are familiar to us because the principles feed an innate desire in us. 

How will we know the voice of the good shepherd?  Again, we look at Philippians 4:8 if the sayings from the voice are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and of praise to the glory of God… we should adhere to the direction of that voice.

Be blessed!!