John 10
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. John 10:1-6 NKJV
In this analogy, Jesus describes how sheep respond only to their master’s voice. While this is true for sheep, it should also be true for us as well. When making decisions in life, there are three voices that we can listen to: the voice of God, the voice of our personal desires, or the voice of Satan. A critical step in your maturity as a Christian is being able to differentiate these voices and make the right choice to follow God. God’s truth is consistent and unwavering. The apostle Peter wrote: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). How can you tell if a thought is from God, from Satan, or from your flesh? The first question to ask yourself is: “Does this go against any Biblical principles?” Trust that God will never contradict His written Word. Luke 21:33 says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” The Bible is just as applicable today as it was when it was written. It is a perfect and complete resource to use to guide you in life. If you want to make sure you choose to listen to the right voice, get to know your Bible well. Read it. Memorize it. Study it. Meditate on it. Doing so will help you to more fully understand God’s nature and character, and what His will is for your life.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 NKJV Satan has one goal in mind: to steal our peace, contentment, and our enjoyment in life. He wants to kill our relationships and destroy everything good that this life has to offer us. In comparison, Jesus came to Earth to give us life and to help us to enjoy it to the fullest! Thank you Jesus! How well are you relishing the blessings Jesus came to give you? Are you enjoying every part of your life? Can you find joy in your commute, your job, and your chores around the house? Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you really CAN enjoy everything. It is truly a matter of perspective, and being able to enjoy the journey, bumps and all! Reaching your destination and accomplishing your goals are great, but much is lost if the road to get there was miserable. If we live our lives thinking that we can only be happy when ________ happens, then we will only be truly content for a small fraction of our lives. Satan often lies to us, telling us that we can only enjoy certain things in life, and at certain times. It is important to ignore these lies and find enjoyment right where we are at, whether we are at work or play, or in times of joy or sorrow. King Solomon wrote: “Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life” (Ecclesiastes 5:18, NLT).
Savor each moment that God gives you today!