A voice in the physical sense is the sound produced from a person’s larynx and outwardly delivered through the mouth. It’s the resonance of our vocal cords, and our voices—the sound of our speech—is often used to identify us. Others can know us by the sound of our voices, and this isn’t by chance of course. It’s one of the attributes of our human frame that demonstrates the extraordinary brilliance of God’s thoughts and creative power. Genesis 1:3(NLT) tells us, “Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” Our Heavenly Father used His voice as an instrument to convey His authority and to wield His faith. We are made in His image, and He has given us a voice to do the same thing.

In John 10:27(NLT), Jesus Christ said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Sheep that belong to Jesus Christ are those that have given their lives to him, and they follow God’s Word. Some who lived during the time that Jesus walked the face of the earth may have had an opportunity to hear his voice audibly. They were his sheep because on a level far deeper than sound, they recognized his voice and began to follow him. Those of us living today that follow Christ are his lambs as well. We gave our lives to him because we heard his call and answered it. We heard his voice spiritually, in our hearts. So, this verse in John 10:27 helps us to understand that a voice is more than mere words spoken from a person’s mouth. A voice is also spiritual communication, where we can speak to God and hear from Him, Spirit to spirit. This is a very powerful reality, and we should pray every day to hear the voice of God as we read and study the scriptures.

The chief purpose of our voice is to use it to communicate with our Heavenly Father and to speak the truth of His Word to others. Hebrews 4:12(NLT) says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” God speaks to us first through His Word, and His Word is what helps us to develop the spiritual voice that speaks to Him with the honor, reverence, and respect for His sovereignty that He deserves.

2Timothy 2:15(NLT) tells us, “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” This is the responsibility of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Like him, we must study God’s Word so that it becomes the very essence of all that we are, and we become a mouthpiece for God in the way Christ was when he walked the earth. Our Master, Lord, and Teacher was not exempt from reading and studying the scriptures. He studied them religiously. It is important we understand that Jesus Christ lived the Word because he knew the Word. And it was because Jesus knew the Word, that he was able to use his voice to perfectly glorify God. We must follow his example.

Our Heavenly Father has elevated His Word above His name. This tells us all we need to know about how He reverences and honors His own Word, and He will never violate the Words He speaks. God’s Word is so powerful that it gives life to us. It’s our strength. So, we should understand that when we neglect to stay in God’s Word and to communicate with Him often, we can lose our voice. The faith and authority that should back our words decreases because spiritually, we’ve fallen out of harmony with the Will of God. We can prevent this from happening, and we should.

Proverbs 18:21(NLT) tells us, “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Our words have power. What we say and how we say it will either enrich our lives or deplete them. Our words are formulated from our hearts, the place where our voice is developed. Physically, the sound of a voice can be melodious and very impressive, but if it does not carry a heart full of love for God, it is empty, and worthless to the effectual working of His power. This isn’t His Will for us. God wants our voices to be used to speak the truth in love, and when we make this our continual habit pattern, His power will flow through our words. Our voices will be the instrument God employs to change our lives and the lives of others as well. ■

Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

“What Happens When You Lose Your Voice?”, written for Springfield Fellowship © 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.