The Voice of the Flesh Verses the Voice of God
Copyright 2006 Daniel N Brown
What brought about your current circumstances? Have you ever
really thought hard about it?
Consider your job, your finances, your health, your
relationships. Do you ever wonder what brought about the
conditions of each area? How much of it was God? How much of it
was you, or someone you know?
"Psalm 37:23 says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the
Lord." If God orders our steps, then we can be certain that He
has our best interest at heart. Some areas where He leads us may
not always be pleasant, but it's all good, and will have a good
ending.
Now, notice Psalm 37:23 says, "Our steps are ordered." Even
though He orders our steps, are we following through? Many times
we really have to listen for God's voice. He rarely screams at
us. He usually speaks in a still small voice that we can easily
overlook. He also can say something through another person. It
those instances, when we hear what's being spoken, we know it's
God because it catches us off guard and hits us like a ton of
bricks!
Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way that seems right to man,
but it's end is the way of death." This is the voice of the
flesh, and it always screams at us, begging us to give it what
it wants. It's completely selfish and usually does no one else
any good at all unless it can get something out of it too.
Jesus said, "Whatsoever things you desire, when you pray,
believe that you receive them and you shall have them" (Mark
11:24). This is the law of attraction. Whether you are following
through with what God has ordered, or whether you are obeying
the voice of the flesh, you will attract certain circumstances
that may be either good or bad for your life.
The conditions you are currently in are not by accident.
Probably just like you, I have had some real tough times in my
past and made excuses and cast blame on God and other people. I
always played the role of the victim and rendered myself
completely helpless in many situations.
One day it hit me when my pastor said something in a sermon. It
caused me to finally admit to myself that I had made some bad
decisions by obeying the voice of the flesh instead of listening
to what God what saying. I don't even remember what my pastor
said, but I know God used him to speak to me that day.
It was only until I took full responsibility for my
circumstances, is when positive change came about. I then became
empowered and finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel.
Yes, I definitely made some bad decisions, but was eventually
able to get things straightened out. It is a fact that good
judgment comes from wisdom, and wisdom comes from having poor
judgment.
I challenge you to take an inventory of your life and look for
those times when you may have obeyed your flesh rather than God.
Let down your pride and ask yourself, "How much of that is my
own fault?" You might be surprised and discover new strength and
power.