FOLLOWING THE VOICE OF THE LORD
The Lord Jesus Christ said, my sheep hear my voice and follow me (John 10:27). But he warned people to beware of false Christs and false prophets or shepherds (Matthew 24:24). Following the voice of the Lord is following the Scriptures in the biblical Word of God: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
THE BIBLICAL WORD OF GOD TELLS PEOPLE WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO DISTINGUISH THE VOICE OF THE LORD FROM VOICES OF FALSE PROPHETS.
Inspired by the devil who deceives the world; false prophets may be used, perhaps unwittingly, by the devil “to steal and kill and destroy” God’s people. But Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
“We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:16 NLT).
THE WORD TELLS PEOPLE HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND AVOID FALSE SHEPHERDS.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV).
The Word tells God’s people, even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them; but away from the Lord, who alone can save people (Acts 20:30; Acts 4:12).False prophets, preachers and teacher, who fail to teach the full truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, will tell many people lies they want hear (2 Timothy 4:3). The bible says. “Avoid such people” (2 Timothy 3:5).
However, being made aware that the people of God are essentially fighting against unseen powerful spiritual force, the Word of God advises his people to use the spiritual weapons provided by God:
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions) with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:13-18)
THE WORD TELLS PEOPLE HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND FOLLOW THE GOOD SHEPHERD.
STEP ONE: FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING TO KNOW THE GOOD SHEPHERD, THE WORD SAYS:
- “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). And you will find that Jesus Christ the Son of God reveals, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
- “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:26). “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten (B)Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
- Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:23; Luke 13:3).
STEP TWO: FOR PEOPLE WHO ALREADY KNOW THE LORD, THE WORD SAYS:
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Be willing to take up your cross and follow the Lord (Matthew 16:24).
- Pray for the help of the Holy Spirit to bear your cross in following the Lord and being conformed his likeness (Roman 8:29).
- “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Luke 10:27). And the Lord adds: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34)
As a follower of Jesus, believe: “I can do all things through Christ,” who loves me, and strengthens me with the power of the Holy Spirit that the Lord gives me (Philippians 4:13; John 14:15-17)
