I was having a conversation with my daughter the other day when she said; “God told me I would not dream bad dreams.” At another time, she said; “I know when the devil is speaking to me, and I know when it is God speaking.” O boy, I was inspired by her words! As young as she is, she already has a sense of the Father’s voice!

Friend, do you know when, how and what God speaks? Listen, if you are a true sheep, you should hear the voice of Your Shepherd (John 10:4-5). It is not supposed to be a struggle. It is an inheritance. It should be normal. One of the marks of sonship is the ability to discern the leadership of the Holy Spirit for, “as many who are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14).

The first assignment of the Shepherd in the life of the sheep is not feeding but leading. It is the sheep that is led that would be fed. This is why in Psalms 23:1, “The Lord is my Shepherd” comes before “I shall not want.”  I want to ask you today, can you discern the voice of God? Like my daughter, are you audacious enough to say, “God told me”?

I was teaching in Church recently when I told God’s people; “Stop saying ‘something told me’. Things don’t talk. The Holy Spirit is not a thing. He is a person.” God wants us to be able to discern His voice, apart from the devil’s and the flesh. Like my daughter, you should be able to say, “I know when the devil is speaking and when God is speaking to me.”

The devil will not exalt God and His word when he speaks. He won’t promote the Kingdom. He won’t speak love and peace. He won’t promote righteousness. He won’t speak faith but fear. Your flesh won’t tell you to forgive. It won’t tell you to rise up at night to pray. Your flesh won’t tell you to sacrifice your finance for the kingdom. Your flesh won’t tell you what agrees with the Spirit (Galatians 5:17).

Position yourself to hear Your Father’s voice. God wants to lead you more than you want to be led. You only need to pay attention. He is speaking peace to you (Psalms 85:8). He is speaking rest, quietness and assurance (Isaiah 32:17). He is leading you in the way of pleasantness (Proverbs 3:17). He is stirring your heart in the direction of His plans and purpose. Would you pay attention today? You will succeed!

© ‘Demola Awoyele

Lead Pastor,

Destiny Impact Church

Akure, Nigeria