Guided By Voices

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.  And no wonder!  For satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11: 13-14 NKJV

Some call it conscience while others call it a "Sixth sense."  The mythical Spider Man went so far as to refer to it as his "Spider Sense."  Whatever we call it, there is something to be said about that inner voice that helps guide us at times.  But what voice are we listening to?  In 2 Corinthians 11:14, the apostle Paul warns us that even satan has transformed himself into an angel of light.  Indeed, we should know that our enemy is able to deceive many, and has already.  Although I would make the argument that satan himself is incapable of being all knowing as God is, he is still able to offer his suggestions to Gods children.  What may be some of his suggestions?  Well, I would assume that something that is obviously against Gods nature and will just may be a suggestion from satan himself.

"You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.  He was a murderer from the begining, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."
John 8:44 NKJV

I've heard many people use that ever so famous phrase,"The devil made me do it!"  However, I would suggest that satan himself cannot "make" us do anything!  For it is by our own choices that we either follow our Lords will or succumb to satans advances.  For it is God, the creator of the universe, that is ultimately in control of everything, even though we have that ability to make our own choices.  In James 1, our Lords brother tells us in no uncertain terms what happens when satan makes his "suggestions."

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he himself tempt anyone.  But each one is tempted when he is drawn in by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.  Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
James 1: 13-16 NKJV

So it is here in James that we see the source of many of these "voices" that we may happen upon during the course of our daily life.  Should anyone think that God is tempting them, James warns us to "Do not be deceived."  For our Lord cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he TEMPT ANYONE!  It is simply not in Gods loving nature for him to tempt his children into evil.  However, I will mention here also that there is a huge difference between temptation and testing!  For our Lord can and will test our faith from time to time.  How can we tell if that voice we are hearing is that of God and not of satan or his minions?  Well, I would suggest that if that "voice" we are thinking of heeding has any hint of evil attached to it, that satan is most likely the author of  this temptation.  We do well to remember that satan is crafty and deceitful in his dealings with Gods children.  For if we are indeed being tempted, we are being lied to by the father of lies!

~Scott~