Every Voice Leads Somewhere

Every Voice Leads Somewhere: Following the Good Shepherd

Have you ever followed a voice that seemed trustworthy, only to find it leading you in a direction you didn't want to go? We all have those moments when voices whisper lies into our minds - telling us we're not good enough parents, spouses, or that we're failing at what we do. These voices are liars, and they come in many forms: fear, cultural pressure, offense, or our own desires.

The truth is, all of us are being led by something. We are constantly following voices, whether we realize it or not. The voice you choose to follow will eventually form the life you live.

Why Does the Voice We Follow Matter?

Wrong voices don't destroy us all at once. They lead us astray one step at a time, just as the right voice puts our life back together one step at a time. Fear can make us disobedient, offense can harden our hearts, and shame can make us hide from God like Adam and Eve did. Culture can disciple our desires until we start calling bondage freedom.

When we follow the wrong voices, we lose our peace, clarity, hunger for God, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. These wrong voices don't just hurt us individually - they hurt the church when we gather together and share these incorrect perspectives with others.

Jesus Calls Your Name

In John 10:1-6, Jesus tells us: "'I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber. But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't know his voice.' Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn't understand what he meant." - John 10:1-6 (NLT)

Do You Know His Voice?

The key question is: do you know Jesus' voice well enough to distinguish it from the voice of thieves? In our social media age, we encounter both good and bad teaching constantly. Our job isn't just to be informed by teaching, but to personally study Scripture and develop a relationship with God so we can discern truth from lies.

Jesus doesn't gather people by force. The Christian life doesn't begin with us finding God - it begins with Jesus searching for us. If you're reading this today, it's because He is searching for you.

He Knows You by Name

The text says Jesus "calls his own sheep by name." He doesn't just know your name - He knows everything about you. He knows who belongs to Him, where they are, what condition they're in, and what has wounded, confused, or distracted them.

This is what the heart of the shepherd looks like. He wants to comfort you in difficult times through normal, everyday conversations. You can talk to Him about your day, your hurts, and your confusion just like you would with a close friend.

The Difference Between Thieves and Shepherds

A thief collects sheep for what he can get from them. A shepherd gathers sheep because they belong to him and he loves them. Not every voice in your life has shepherd motives - some want to use you, control you, flatter you, distract you, or lead you away from God.

How to Recognize False Voices

The enemy drives while Jesus leads with love. The enemy pressures while Jesus calls you up and out of things. The enemy confuses while Jesus speaks clear truth. The enemy uses shame while Jesus speaks life.

We must be careful not to assume every open door is God's voice. The enemy can open doors too. Not every opportunity is obedience to God, and not every feeling is the right direction.

The Better Question to Ask

Instead of assuming every opportunity is from God, ask: "Does this sound like Jesus?" The decision-making process should involve going to Scripture and seeking wise counsel. Does this opportunity, teaching, or direction align with what Jesus would say?

Jesus Guards Your Soul

In John 10:7-10, Jesus explains: "'I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.'" - John 10:7-10 (NLT)

Jesus Is the Only Way

Jesus is not just the shepherd who calls the sheep - He is also the gate who guards them. He is the only way to eternal life with God. When Jesus says "I am the gate," He's being exclusive. He's not saying He's "a gate" among many options, but "the gate" - the only way.

In ancient times, shepherds would lay across the opening of the sheepfold at night, putting their bodies between the sheep and any potential threats. Jesus does the same for us spiritually.

What Are You Allowing Access to Your Soul?

Many of us are exhausted because we let every thought, offense, temptation, fear, and opinion have equal access to our hearts. We need to ask ourselves: What have I given access to my soul that Jesus is trying to guard me from?

A gate can feel restrictive until you understand it's protecting you. Jesus wants to protect you so you can live an innocent life while also being strong like a lion when needed.

Jesus Gives His Life for You

John 10:11-18 tells us: "'I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don't belong to him and he isn't their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he's working only for the money and doesn't really care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.'" - John 10:11-15 (NLT)

The Cross Was Not an Accident

The cross wasn't a backup plan or Jesus losing control. He holds every atom in the universe together and could have removed Himself from the cross at any moment. He chose to sacrifice His life for you so you could live the abundant life He has planned.

A hired hand protects himself, but the good shepherd fights the wolf and sacrifices his life. Jesus cares all the way to the cross, not just when it costs Him nothing.

Jesus Demands Your Response

Whether you respond with action or do nothing, that is still a response. In John 10:19-21, we see that people were divided in their opinions about Jesus. Some called Him demon-possessed, while others recognized His divine nature.

Jesus doesn't allow us to simply call Him a "good teacher" and leave it at that. He demands a complete response - either you follow Him with everything you have, or you don't follow Him at all. There is no middle ground.

Life Application

This week, take inventory of the voices you're allowing to influence your life. Identify which voices are leading you toward Jesus and which are pulling you away from Him. Make a practical decision to "turn down" the volume on harmful voices (perhaps limiting social media, avoiding certain influences, or changing unhealthy relationship dynamics) while "turning up" the volume on God's voice through Scripture reading, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.

Ask yourself these questions:

Remember: every voice leads somewhere, but only the Good Shepherd's voice leads to the abundant life God has planned for you.