It Matters Who You Listen To
Have you ever tried to find your way somewhere, but along the way you received conflicting directions? Your GPS said one thing, a backseat driver insisted something else, and you vaguely remembered taking a different way the last time.
Life is full of moments like these.
You’re surrounded by noise. It’s hard to sort through the noise, discerning what’s true from what’s a lie.
Consider all the voices fighting for your allegiance: the “hot takes” on social media, your coworker’s conspiracy theory, and the way your parents did it back in the day. Maybe your own feelings are steering you right and left as you hear from a news station or algorithm that was specifically designed to get a reaction out of you.
Who will you listen to?
The voices you listen to are forming you. So, as you decide who to listen to, first answer: Who do you want to become?
Do you hope to become someone full of grace and truth? Someone who can carry all the compassion and mercy to offer other people without ever sacrificing truth and righteousness?
It matters who you listen to.
When you listen to the voice of Jesus, you’ll learn to discern truth from lies. Jesus will transform you into someone who can make the right decision in this noisy world — someone who looks more and more like Him as you walk in step with the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 2:20 says, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
As you navigate through the chaos of today, consider tuning out the noise of the world and tuning into the voice of Jesus. His Word will direct you. He’ll teach you to quiet the distraction as you trust the guidance of the One alive in you.
PRAY
Lord God,
Thank you for the example of your son Jesus, and the practice of grace and truth. You are so kind to us. Please show us the ways we’re listening to voices of the world instead of to you. Help us lay down any opinions or behaviors that aren’t the way you would have them. We need your help. Have your way in us. Amen.
DIVE DEEPER
Looking for next steps in discipleship to Jesus? Choose one step to take this week:
Read Romans 12:1-2. Ask God where you are copying the ways of the world and invite His transformation in you.
The next time you hear a directive from a voice in the world, go to another believer and bring your question to God together. Whatever you heard, measure it against Scripture. Together, look for examples in the Bible to learn what God has to say about that topic.
Watch this weekend’s message for more.