When I was a kid, I remember accidentally breaking a mirror and being told, “That’s seven years of bad luck.” I thought, Seriously? Seven years? Just for breaking a mirror? But because it came from someone I trusted, I believed it. And not just that, I believed all kinds of things. Like if a black cat crossed my path, something bad would happen. Oh, and if someone accidentally swept my foot with a broom, it meant trouble was coming my way. I never questioned it. In my young mind, those voices felt true. But I never asked: Who said that?
See, when you trust the wrong voice, you’ll end up believing a lie.
For years, every time I saw a black cat, I ran in the house like danger was chasing me. Looking back, I realize I was living under self-imposed curses, all because I never checked the source.
We do this more than we realize. We accept what people tell us without asking God if it’s true. We build beliefs off of rumors, traditions, or half-truths. And sometimes, it’s not even strangers misleading us, it’s people we trust.
But the Bible warns us: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God...” (1 John 4:1). Just because something sounds spiritual or deep doesn’t mean it’s from God.
Eve learned that the hard way. The serpent didn’t come to her looking evil; he came with a smooth voice and a twist on God’s truth. And that one conversation changed everything.
That’s why spiritual discernment is so important. In the book of Acts 17:11, Paul praised the Bereans for double-checking his message. They didn’t just take his word for it. They searched the Scriptures daily to make sure it was true. That’s what we need to do. Don’t just follow every voice. Go back and ask God.
Because the wrong voice can lead you down a path that was never meant for you. It can delay your destiny. It can leave you spiritually exhausted, emotionally confused, and far from God’s best.
We’ve seen it over and over. People walking in fear and anxiety because someone spoke something over them that didn’t line up with God’s Word. Maybe someone said, “You’ll never make it,” or “You’ll always struggle.” And instead of rejecting the lie, you received it. But here’s the truth: Only God has the final word over your life.
He’s the Author and Finisher of your faith, not people, not culture, not tradition.
Scripture warns us not to fall for “old wives' tales” (1 Timothy 4:7), those generational sayings and superstitions that get passed down like family recipes, but are rooted in fear, not truth. Just because something has been said for years doesn’t mean it’s God’s voice.
Let’s be real: even people with good intentions can mislead you. Take the story in 1 Kings 13. God gave a prophet specific instructions: don’t eat or drink during the assignment, and don’t go back the same way. But another man, also claiming to be a prophet, told him, “God told me to tell you it’s okay. Come eat with me.” So he did. And because he obeyed man over God, it cost him his life.
Even fellow believers can give you a word that sounds spiritual but isn’t from God. That’s why you have to check the source. Don’t move based on someone’s title or tone, go back to God. Pray. Ask Him.
Remember when Jesus was fasting in the wilderness for 40 days? Satan came and said, “If you’re really the Son of God, turn these stones into bread.” But Jesus didn’t argue. He didn’t panic. He simply replied, “It is written…” (Matthew 4:4). That’s how we fight deception; with God’s Word.
And listen, this isn’t about living in fear or never trusting anyone. It’s about staying grounded in the truth. James 1:5 says if you lack wisdom, ask God, and He’ll give it freely. That means God wants to guide you. He wants you to hear His voice.
“My sheep know My voice,” Jesus said in John 10:27.Do you recognize His voice?
When you know the voice of God, it changes everything. You walk with peace. You stop reacting to every opinion. You stop doubting your path. You stop letting people define your future. Why? Because the Shepherd is leading you.
In this noisy, chaotic world, discernment isn’t optional, it’s survival. 1 Corinthians 2:10 says the Spirit searches all things. That’s why you need the Holy Spirit. He’s the One who gives you insight, clarity, and direction when everything around you feels loud and confusing.
So, the next time someone speaks over you, stop and ask, “God, is this from You?” Test it. Search the Word. Listen for His voice. He will never deceive you. He always leads in truth.
And if the voice you’re following today isn’t pointing you back to God, it’s time to check the source.
Pray with me:
Father God,
Thank You for being the voice I can trust in a world full of noise and confusion. Help me to hear You clearly and to follow You boldly. I repent for the times I believed lies spoken over me—whether by others, by culture, or by my own fear. Teach me to test every word I receive and to compare it with Your truth. Give me wisdom, discernment, and peace. When I don’t know what to do, remind me to pause and ask You. You are faithful to answer. Thank You for being my Shepherd. I am Your sheep, and I want to know Your voice above every other. Lead me, guide me, and protect me from deception.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Remember:
Not every voice deserves your trust. The wrong voice can cost you your purpose, or even your life. This message is a wake-up call to tune your ear back to the only voice that leads to truth, freedom, and life: the voice of God.
