The voices in my head

There are multiple voices in my head each day. “I want another piece of cake.” (My flesh/stomach talking) “Jesus wouldn’t be happy with that choice.” (My spiritual self) “I raised you better than that!” (Mom) “I’m such an idiot, nobody really cares for me.” (Satan) “Trust in me, and I will lead you in the direction you should go.” (God) “We don’t need to spend that money right now.” (Hubby) I venture to say you are probably much the same. At times it may be hard to discern which voice is speaking to us. This is where it benefits us to walk with Christ daily, and learn his voice. Read his word, and know his character. So you don’t have to question when you feel led in a certain direction whether it is your flesh, Satan, or The Holy Spirit pulling you that way.

Let’s take a look at some conflicting voices in a young man’s life in a familiar passage of scripture in Luke 15.

Luke 15:11-32 “The Prodigal Son”

The voice that says “The grass is greener elsewhere.”

And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

Luke 15:12-13

This young man wanted his inheritance early so he could go live how he wanted to live. Many of us had the thought when we were younger “I just can’t wait until I grow up and get out of my parents’ house so I can do what I want!” Boy were we in for a rude awakening. Just as this young man found out, it’s not all peaches and cream being a “big boy” and making adult decisions. This “grass is greener” mentality can apply to many different situations. A job, a place to live, a spouse, etc. We must be so careful putting our eyes on what is around us and finding ourselves lacking in someway. If you think you are lacking, or where you are may not be God’s best for you – talk to HIM about it. DON’T just make a big decision based on the thought that “the grass is greener” somewhere else though. That’s a dangerous voice to listen to. It’s a lie of the devil.

The voice that says “Just go with the flow.”

And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

Luke 15:14-15

The young man found himself in a tough spot because of some poor decision making. Instead of praying, asking God to help him out of the mess he got himself into, he joined up with a citizen of another country. (I dare say it was a country and a land full of people that were not raised like this young man was.) He tried to blend in. Doing what others do, and hoping things just work out, is not a good plan. Our life as a Christian should be intentional, bathed in prayer, and led by God. This shouldn’t be a “fly by the seat of my pants” life.

The voice that says “You’re not worthy.”

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

Luke 15:18-19

This is the voice of Satan. Anytime you feel unworthy, unloved, and unimportant trust me, it’s not God telling you that. He loves you so much, he died a cruel death just so you didn’t have to spend an eternity in hell. He paid an awful price so you didn’t have to. And he did it all knowing we still have a free will to choose either to accept this gift of salvation or reject it. You’re important. God has a job for you to do here on earth. If he didn’t, he would have brought you on up to heaven by now! There is purpose in your life, and you are worthy of life and love. Seek God’s will for you and thrive in it! Go after God’s purpose for you with all your being. There is no better life.

The wonderful voice that says “You’re loved. You’re worthy. Forgiveness is available.”

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

Luke 15:20-23

When the young man realized he had done wrong he headed home, simply hoping to become as one of his father’s hired servants. He felt so badly about what he had done and how he had lived, that he was sure his father could not forgive him and accept him back as the son he once had loved. But when he was yet down the road his father saw him and ran and embraced him. He didn’t wait and demand an explanation. He didn’t make his son pay some sort of penance. The father was thrilled that his son decided to come back home where he belonged. He missed him, and was ready to make things right with his son again. When we get away from God, he simply waits for us. We will make mistakes in life. Wrong choices and even sinful living will put a barrier spiritually between us and our Father in heaven. But boy is he happy when we decide to seek forgiveness and make things right again. He wants us to rely on Him. And he wants to bless us. Oh how he loves us!