Demanding Voices
The cries were deafening. They demanded, loudly screaming, “Crucify him, Crucify him! Jesus was a threat on many levels. The leaders and crowds were unwilling to examine what Jesus threatened in them. History was being fulfilled. God’s long awaited Messiah had come, but they refused to listen to him. The crowds loud demands moved Pilate to please them over the truth he knew. Jesus was an innocent man.
“…they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that He should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demands should be granted.” Luke 23:23-24
I have to admit; I understand the power of demands that scream so loudly. They come in the form of expectations, obligations, opinions, and decisions. Pilate heard audible voices, but it’s the silent demands in the mind that are harder to detect. Yet if undetected and unexamined they will attempt to crucify our lives.
Internal Thoughts
Seeking God one morning, I was challenged to examine my thoughts and feelings. I had been studying about the enemy of the soul and how he operates. Here are some of his characteristics:
- He is a liar and his goal is deception.
- He manipulates believers to doubt God and his Word.
- He tempts to move one away from God.
Getting Honest
As I began to write down the thoughts I was having I was appalled. I was not conscious of the voices demanding and condeming in silence until I asked God to show me what was going on. As I wrote these thoughts down they became real, realizing I had been mediating and believing them instead of God’s living Words. These were negative internal thoughts screaming familiar tones;
- “You can’t do this, why do you keep trying?”
- “You’re wasting your time with that project, you are not smart enough”
- “This will never work, give up before you make a fool of yourself.”
- “You will fail anyway so why not quit now.”
These thoughts brought anger and discouragement. I began crying out to God and He said clearly as I read my next place in 1 Corinthians…stand firm.
“Thanks be to God, He gives victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, stand firm. Let nothing move you…” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
The negative voices were moving me in the wrong direction, and tempting me. It took time in God’s presence with his Word for insight to come. I had to get real with myself and God. In that confessing and brokenness God spoke, his voice commanded me with gentleness, authority, and love to “stand firm and let nothing move me.” He hushed what was false, overcoming the battle in an instant. God and I were alone together deeply connecting. It was an amazing moment knowing He heard me. He was enabling me in great personal weakness to stand above the loud demands that day. I was sustained firmly within by God himself. It is quite unbelievable, but this is why we share YadaFactor with others. These moments add up within us and He uses each experience to morph us into what He has designed us to be, His. To know Him and love Him above all.
Make a Decision Everyday
Everyday is a battle for our attention, the world is loud and the crowds are demanding. Make a decision now, be willing to seek God with all your heart everyday to understand yourself and your thoughts from his living Word, but even greater to know God. Taking time with Him can change everything with only a whisper, silencing the demanding voices of this world that desires our crucifixion.
Who’s voice are you listening to today?
Take some time to examine your thoughts and let us know how God’s voice is prevailing in your life today. What is He saying to you from His ancient scrolls?
