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“I did not speak on my own...whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” (John 12:49,50)

I don’t mean to sound like a psychiatrist, but do you hear voices in your head no one else hears, voices that adversely affect who you are? 

• Are you sure you should do that?

• You’ll never measure up to your brother.

Voices surround us (and not just in our head) - voices of encouragement, criticism, challenge, reassurance, admonition. We need to be able to discern which ones to listen to because God is not in every voice. And we cannot respond with the voice of God until we have learned to listen to His voice.

Jesus heard a multitude of voices during Holy Week. Some tender, some inquisitive, some accusatory. But He never allowed voices besides His Father’s to “get inside His head.”

Do you rebuke those negative voices in your head? When Jesus heard voices that needed correcting, He did. When Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with costly perfume, criticism swiftly followed: “Why this waste?” Jesus rebukes Judas: “Leave her alone.” The temple money changers heard the Lord’s rebuke. Responding to Peter’s false humility, Jesus admonished: “Unless I wash you, you have no part of me.” 

But mercifully, Jesus often followed a rebuke with a voice of comfort and affirmation. Jesus told the crowd, Mary “has done a beautiful thing.” Jesus predicted Peter’s betrayal but told him, “I have prayed that your faith may not fail.” When Peter cut off the servant’s ear, Jesus rebuked him, “No more of that,” but in compassion restored the ear. Is the voice of Jesus speaking through you when you discipline your child, rebuke an employee? 

Voices of adoration are challenging. How should we respond when we’re praised? When Jesus heard the joyful affirmations of Palm Sunday, He wasn’t listening to their praise as much as attending to His Father’s voice telling Him where this path would lead. So when the crowd’s praise abruptly changed to cries for execution, He wasn’t surprised. Flattering words can be fickle; we need discernment in how to respond.

Voices of accusation, belittlement, lies - ugliest of all voices - confronted Jesus on Good Friday. What voice would we use in reply? Righteous self-defense? Angry retaliation? Does that ever get us anywhere? Instead of responding in kind to these raucous voices, Jesus mostly stands silent, only responding with brevity and calm as He claims His messiahship. Sometimes a stillness empowered by God speaks powerfully.

What voice do you need to hear from Jesus today? One of comfort, encouragement, gentle rebuke?

Ask God to help you listen for His voice. Memorizing Scripture can help; those verses can be the voice you need to hear.

Think of the various voices you use throughout the day: with your children, on the phone with a friend, in a Zoom meeting with associates. How can God inhabit your voices? Ask Him for guidance, perhaps before you pick up the phone or click “join a meeting.”