[This post is part of the Hearing God's Voice series.]
When you pray you will hear one of three voices: yours, the devil’s and the Lord’s. Each have their own characteristics which help us distinguish between them. This post will break down the first two for you.
Your Voice
Your voice will sound like your voice, having the same inflections, and will yammer about your own previous fleshly desires. Tell it to shut it. It ain’t easy to die to self, but you can do it. If you are wanting two opposing things at once, that’s another sign that you know it’s not God. Double-mindedness (James 1:8) is the red flag that you are not on a stable path. The Spirit is the only voice that is dependable and that will guide you into truth (John 16:13).
You might begin hearing a voice and at the end of the sentence there may is a pause, stuttering or hesitation…analyze that. You may have been just thinking of what to say next! Sometimes you want to hear God so desperately that you start to talk in your own head, wanting to believe it’s God. But it’s not. Not that I have experienced that, or anything. 
The Devil’s Voice
When the devil or another evil spirit is speaking to you one or more of the following will be notable:
- Confusion. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work (James 3:16). God is not the author of confusion…(1 Corinthians 14:33).
- Condemnation. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…(Romans 8:1)
- Fear. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
When the devil speaks, he comes at you with the opposite of truth or what God said. He is the father of lies (John 8:44). He is also the tempter (Matthew 4:3); God doesn’t tempt any man (James 1:13). He will also not say that Jesus came in the flesh (1 John 4:1-6). He may try to deceive you by adding to what God said (Genesis 3:1-5).
One of the devil’s major tricks is doubt. He even tried to pull that one over on Jesus. “IF you are the Son of God…” (Matthew 4:3,6). Do what Jesus did: use scripture to kick him out!
To Recap
Your Voice – fleshly desires, double-mindedness, and/or hesitation
Devil’s Voice – confusion, condemnation, fear, lies, temptations, deceits and/or doubt
The recap is to help you remember this material because if you hear something 7 times you retain it. Now you just need to read this post 5 more times. I do recommend looking up each scripture reference and writing them in your journal to help you solidify these truths. YouVersion is invaluable to you. Feed on the Word of God to become mature and keep you from being led astray (Hebrews 5:12-14).
Are you analyzing the voices you hear?
Did you like this post? Consider sharing it and don’t forget to subscribe! The next post will cover the characteristics of God’s voice and you don’t want to miss it!
Much of the information from this post was taken from Scripture Keys for Kingdom Living by June Newman Davis.
Posted by Rebecca Palmatier on August 9, 2011 at 10:05 am
I really loved this blog this am… especially the focus on identifying ‘our voice’ apart from God’s or the devils. Good stuff!!!
Posted by KellySinging on August 9, 2011 at 10:50 am
Thanks, Rebecca! Glad to have you along. It really is crucial for us to know the distinctions.
Posted by Steven Sawyer on August 9, 2011 at 10:26 am
Kelly,
This is a wonderful post. Can I re-post this with your credit, or link to it from my blog, so my folks can read it as well?
Here is a link to a few samples of my blog: http://stevensawyer.wordpress.com/2011/07/
It would be an honor.
Posted by KellySinging on August 9, 2011 at 10:54 am
Absolutely. I believe every Christian needs to be armed with the wisdom to discern the voices we hear. My permissions policy is here: http://kellysinging.wordpress.com/permissions-policy/
To link up, you will need to be sure that you check the box to allow trackbacks and pingbacks. Thanks!
Posted by Susie Cantrell ~ SusieMM413 on August 9, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Hi Kelly,
I couldn’t agree more! Good & Much Needed Post.
The voices we listen to will have great impact on our wisdom & discernment therefore we must have discernment & wisdom to know the voices we hear. We will know God’s voice if we know Him as Jesus talks about in John 10:1-18.
Can’t wait to read the next post about the characteristics of God’s Voice.
Blessings as you Bless others.
Love Ya! Susie
“I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13
Posted by KellySinging on August 9, 2011 at 7:20 pm
“The voices we listen to will have great impact on our wisdom & discernment therefore we must have discernment & wisdom to know the voices we hear.” Amen!! Thanks for sharing, Susie! Love you!
Posted by Debbie Dillon on August 9, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Love this post – lots of great information here. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by KellySinging on August 9, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. God bless you!
Posted by Anita Estes on August 9, 2011 at 6:32 pm
This came just at the right time. i’m going to a Christian writer’s conference tommorrow and all kinds of doubts an fears have been assailing me over my new book Letters to God, on a Prodigal Son. I need to uiet the voices and listen to God!
Posted by KellySinging on August 9, 2011 at 7:22 pm
Yes, that sounds like the devil. Anytime we are doing something to advance the kingdom of God he tries to stop us. I’m rejoicing in your choice to shut him up and listen to God. May God bless what you are putting your hands to do for Him.