Those Little
Voices
By Lexi Ellis
“My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry for insight, and ask for understanding.”
Proverbs 2:1-3 (NLT)
There are voices inside my head. Hopefully, I’m not crazy…I’m
hoping it’s just like those conversations we have with ourselves, or those
messages we think to ourselves! Movies portray the voices as omniscient
voice-overs; books use them to give us insight into a character’s mind.
Cartoons portray a little angel and demon bickering on each shoulder.
Oftentimes, these messages bring emotions that may range the spectrum - -
guilt, shame, heartache or joy, happiness, fondness.
The voices in my head aren’t always the same though. Sometimes
one is clearly congruent with Scripture: Be still and know I am
here…For I will never leave you nor forsake you…For I know the plans I have for
you…you are fearfully and wonderfully made. And sometimes the
message obviously doesn’t align with Scripture: Why bother
trying?...You did this, this, this and this wrong today…you’re
worthless.
But there’s a third little voice, one that’s hard to
differentiate whether it’s reflecting God’s Word or not. This little voice
subtly tells me I’ve failed - - that I messed up, that I let someone I love
down. Is it the Holy Spirit convicting, or the devil deceiving? At times, it’s
the most powerful one: the one that’s a small seed of truth with an extreme
twist. Unfortunately, this little voice is hard work to recognize, reject and
get rid of.
Recently, I saw
this list on Facebook. As I read through it, the ownership of that “sometimes
hard to distinguish” third little voice became more clear.
[1]
That little voice in my head is God’s voice when it’s Truth.
When it contradicts Scripture, telling me I’m the exception and resulting in
those “red” emotions, it’s Satan’s voice. I believe that’s why Satan is the
master deceiver. He’s that third little voice - - taking a slight truth and
infusing it with lies that lead to emotions like frightened, confused or
condemned.
God’s voice stills, leads, reassures, enlightens, encourages,
comforts, calms, strengths, blesses, heals. As I go through my day, I think of
the voices that run through my thoughts. Are they of God and therefore Truth…or
are they of the Deceiver?
GOING DEEPER:
1. Take some time to write down messages “those
little voices” tell you. Using the image above and your knowledge of Scripture,
whose voice is it?
2. How can you be aware of the difference between God’s voice
and Satan’s? Listen to “The
Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns to help kick-start your
thoughts.
FURTHER READING:
Deuteronomy 32:3-4; Jeremiah 33:3
[1] Seen on Facebook but found on the web athttp://shareaverse.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/gods-voice-is-truth/.
[1] Seen on Facebook but found on the web athttp://shareaverse.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/gods-voice-is-truth/.
Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin.
Lexi teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing. She serves with Children’s
Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
