If you ever watch parents and their children at the local park, you might notice a strange phenomenon: almost every parent can recognize their child’s voice from the cacophony of squeals, shouts, whimpers, and laughter that fills the play area. Active parenting means that an adult who supervises their offspring is ever vigilant, keeping an eye out for hazards that a child may not see. Even in the animal kingdom, several species such as dogs, deer, horses, and seals can identify their offspring by smell, while mothers and baby ducks recognize one another by sounds.
In John 10, Jesus speaks of Himself as the Good Shepherd and His followers as sheep. Multiple verses throughout the chapter refer to the sheep recognizing and following the sound of their Shepherd’s voice. John 10:5 goes so far as to say that when hearing a stranger call to them, sheep refuse to follow that person because of the unfamiliar voice.
Most Christians today understand that to identify with the Name of Christ requires us to learn and follow the voice, or will, of God. Yet those same believers seem uncertain about how to actually do this. A few simple comparisons to life along with explanations from Scripture should provide clarity.
Just as human parents and their children become tuned to the sound of one another’s voices through life experiences and daily interaction, Christians should spend so much time in the presence of Jesus and His Word that we recognize the truth and follow it (James 1:22).
Choose to associate with others who value and live out a close relationship with their Creator in order to strengthen and support one another in your faith. (Hebrews 10:25).
Since children often emulate words, behaviors, and even thought patterns of the adults who parent them, it is wise for believers to follow the example of Christ in thought, word, and deed (1 Corinthians 11:1).
While the voice of God is occasionally drowned out by this world, or our sometimes faithless hearts may question His leading, strength and certainty can be found when we measure the “truth” of society against the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12).
Only through close contact and a deep relationship with Christ can we be certain to recognize the voice of God.
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