Discerning the Voices: God, Self, and the Enemy
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God.” — 1 John 4:1
“My sheep hear My voice… and they will not follow the voice of a stranger.” — John 10:27,5
Not Every Voice Is God
One of the greatest dangers in spiritual growth is not failing to hear—but misidentifying the voice speaking. Many decisions are made, prayers prayed, and paths chosen based on voices assumed to be God, when in truth they originate from self or the enemy.
At the altar, discernment is not optional. Clarity of voice determines clarity of direction.
The Three Primary Voices You Will Hear
Scripture reveals that every believer must learn to distinguish between three competing voices:
- The Voice of God
- The Voice of Self (the flesh/soul)
- The Voice of the Enemy
Each has distinct characteristics, fruit, and intent.
The Voice of God: Clear, Peaceful, and Aligning
“The Lord will speak peace to His people.” — Psalm 85:8
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’” — Isaiah 30:21
How God’s Voice Sounds
- Calm, steady, and authoritative
- Produces peace—even when the instruction is difficult
- Aligns with Scripture every time
- Draws you toward holiness, obedience, and trust
- Convicts without condemning
God’s voice does not argue, panic, or rush you. It carries quiet authority and divine assurance.
Fruit test:
God’s voice produces peace, clarity, humility, and alignment with His Word.
The Voice of Self: Emotional, Reasoning, and Desire-Driven
“The heart is deceitful above all things.” — Jeremiah 17:9
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” — Proverbs 14:12
The voice of self is often the most deceptive because it sounds familiar—it sounds like you.
How the Voice of Self Sounds
- Based on feelings, preferences, logic, or fear
- Often seeks comfort, validation, or control
- Justifies disobedience with “reasonable” explanations
- Shifts depending on mood or circumstance
- Avoids sacrifice and inconvenience
The voice of self may even use Scripture—but twisted to support personal desire rather than divine truth.
Fruit test:
The voice of self produces confusion, inner debate, self-promotion, or spiritual stagnation.
The Voice of the Enemy: Accusing, Urgent, and Condemning
“For the accuser of our brethren… accused them before our God day and night.” — Revelation 12:10
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” — John 10:10
The enemy’s voice is never peaceful and never redemptive.
How the Enemy’s Voice Sounds
- Harsh, condemning, and shame-filled
- Produces fear, despair, or hopelessness
- Pressures you with urgency and panic
- Pushes you toward isolation or disobedience
- Attacks identity rather than behavior
Where God corrects with hope, the enemy condemns with finality.
Fruit test:
The enemy’s voice produces fear, shame, paralysis, and separation from God.
How to Discern the Voice at the Altar
1. Test It by Scripture
God will never contradict His Word.
If the voice violates Scripture, it is not God—no matter how spiritual it sounds.
2. Test the Fruit
“You will know them by their fruits.” — Matthew 7:16
Ask:
- Does this bring peace or panic?
- Does it draw me closer to God or away from Him?
- Does it call me to obedience or excuse compromise?
3. Test the Timing
God does not pressure you into rushed decisions.
Urgency with fear is not God.
4. Test the Posture It Produces
God’s voice produces humility and trust.
Self produces control.
The enemy produces accusation and shame.
A Warning for the Altar
Not every voice that sounds spiritual is divine.
Not every strong impression is instruction.
Not every open door is God.
Discernment is cultivated, not assumed.
Altar Activation
Before making decisions, pray:
“Lord, silence every voice that is not Yours. Expose the voice of self. Rebuke the voice of the enemy. Let only Your truth remain.”
Then wait.
How God Speaks: The Channels of Divine Communication
“Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.”
— Amos 3:7
God is not silent. He is a speaking God who desires relationship, not distance. as mentioned above, from Genesis to Revelation, we see that God consistently communicates with His people. So the challenge is not whether God speaks—but whether we recognize how He speaks and through which channels.
Understanding the channels of divine communication helps believers discern God’s voice with clarity, confidence, and obedience.
1. God Speaks Through His Word (Scripture)
The primary, foundational way God speaks is through His written Word.
- Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16)
- The Holy Spirit illuminates the Word, making it living and active (Hebrews 4:12)
God will never contradict His Word. Every other channel must align with Scripture. Even if you receive a prophecy, match it against God’s Word.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
Key insight:
If you neglect the written Word, you will struggle to discern the spoken Word.
2. God Speaks Through the Holy Spirit (Inner Witness)
The Holy Spirit speaks to our spirit, not merely our emotions.
- Through conviction
- Through gentle impressions
- Through divine nudges and promptings
“When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13)
Remember, the Spirit’s voice is:
- Clear, not confusing
- Peaceful, not condemning
- Consistent, not erratic
Key insight:
The Holy Spirit does not shout—He leads.
3. God Speaks Through Prayer and Communion
Prayer is not a monologue; it is a dialogue.
Many believers speak to God but never quiet themselves to hear from God.
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things.” (Jeremiah 33:3)
In prayer:
- God speaks through stillness
- God clarifies direction
- God aligns the heart with His will
Key insight:
God often speaks after we stop talking.
4. God Speaks Through Prophetic Voices and Spiritual Authority
God uses appointed vessels—apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers—to confirm, correct, or direct.
“Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” (2 Chronicles 20:20)
This includes:
- Prophetic words
- Godly counsel
- Spiritual covering
Key insight:
Prophetic words confirm what God has already been whispering in prayer.
5. God Speaks Through Dreams and Visions
Throughout Scripture, God used dreams and visions to communicate divine instruction and revelation.
“In the last days… I will pour out My Spirit… your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams.” (Joel 2:28)
Dreams may:
- Reveal direction
- Expose spiritual warfare
- Unlock destiny
Key insight:
Dreams require interpretation, not assumption.
6. God Speaks Through Circumstances and Open Doors
God orchestrates situations to guide His people.
“A great and effective door has opened to me.” (1 Corinthians 16:9)
However, not every open door is God—and not every closed door is the enemy.
Key insight:
Circumstances confirm direction; they should not replace discernment.
7. God Speaks Through Peace and Alignment
The peace of God acts as an internal umpire.
“Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:15)
When God speaks:
- There is peace, even if the instruction is challenging
- There is alignment with His character
- There is assurance without striving
Key insight:
God’s voice produces peace, not panic.
Exhortation
God desires intimacy, not information exchange. The clearer your altar life, the clearer His voice becomes. When your heart is postured toward obedience, your ears become sensitive to heaven.
Hearing God is not reserved for prophets alone—it is the inheritance of every believer who dwells at the altar.
Conclusion: Know the Voice Before You Follow
Those who walk in authority are those who recognize the Shepherd’s voice. The more time you spend at the altar, the more distinct His voice becomes—and the stranger every other voice sounds.
See Part 1:Hearing the Voice of God: Getting Intimate with God
Leave a Reply