John 10:3-5 -- To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
Thank You, God for a new day and adventure with You in it. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Our journey to follow Jesus stayed in the same area as yesterday but focused more on verses three thru five. There were some things to see here before we moved forward.
John 10:3 -- To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
He comes for them. He speaks to them. He calls them by name. He leads and guides them out.
John 10:4 -- When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
He brings out all who belong to Him. He doesn't just point in a direction; He leads them from the front. They follow, not because they know what He looks like, but because they KNOW His voice.
John 10:5 -- A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
Because they KNOW His voice, it protects them from those who would try to lead them astray.
Something profound jumped out at me this morning. There is no mention of the sheep following anyone, anywhere by sight. It is only the voice, the words, that either draws them to follow, or that causes them to flee from strangers.
Christian pay attention to this part. The only way for the sheep to properly discern Good Shepherd from strangers, thieves, and robbers, is by the VOICE. You cannot and will not ever be able to tell by sight or by appearance. You cannot and will not be able to tell by words alone (remember the devil quotes scripture too - Matthew 4:1-11). It is by KNOWING the voice of God and you will only ever come to know it if you actually spend time with Him in His Word. It's that simple.
Beloved, be warned if you choose not to learn His voice in His Word, the Bible, you will end up deceived. I know many who will say the Holy Spirit will give them discernment. Keep in mind Holy Spirit is God and there is absolutely a place to be led by the Spirit, but again if you don't KNOW God's voice and spend regular time with Him, how will you KNOW that "spirit" is the Holy the Spirit guiding you?
I pray you would not take my word on any of it and instead you're open your bible and let God speak directly to you through His Word. Let Him show you and tell you. Be the Berean!
You are loved. You are prayed over. You are not alone.
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