Competing Voices: The Heart Cry of a Prophet
In seasons of intense persecution, it seems there are 2 competing voices that seem to have authority in my life: the orphan spirit and the Holy Spirit. Under the cloud of the enemy, I am unable to discern between these two. Every now and then, they suffer massive conflict, and I can no longer ignore the fact that I have been confused by the sound of 2 voices.
When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” (John 10:4-5)
My Confession: I have run towards the voice of a stranger. The Holy Spirit is jealous for my affection, my ears. He will no longer allow the orphan spirit to gain control. He wants full reign.
The calls to fast that have been compromised because of this voice, the Lord says, “I am no longer going to tolerate this spirit. I am jealous for your fasting, your heart, the health of your relationships with me and with people.”
1 John 3:6-9 says, “No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.”
My Confession: I sin because I am not abiding. When I keep sinning it is because I have not seen him or known him. When I keep on sinning and yet say I know God, I have been deceived. When I practice righteousness, I am righteous—it is my faith that bears fruit in my works. When I am making a practice of sinning, I am of the devil. My sin is rooted in slavery to the orphan spirit. The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil. When I choose to live out the works of the devil, I am not living in the will of my father. When I am born of God, I do not make a practice of sinning. Refresh me Holy Spirit! Let your seed abide in me, LORD. I cannot keep on sinning for I am BORN OF GOD!!! I desire to only be led by your voice.
Father, you say that as a sheep I hear your voice, you call me by my name, and lead me out. You go before me and as your sheep, I follow you for I know your voice.
I will not follow a stranger but I will flee from him, for I do not know the voice of strangers. Let me forget the voice of the orphan spirit, never to heed to it again!
You are the door, Jesus.
Your promise that if I enter by you I will be saved and I will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus came that I may have life and have it abundantly. You are the good shepherd who lays down his life for your sheep. You are the good shepherd. You know your own and your own know you, just as the Father knows you and you know the Father. You lay down your life for your sheep. You have authority to lay your life down for me.
