The voice you listen to the most is often the voice you will follow.

Culture is speaking, and so is Jesus—but which voice is leading you?

One thing I have learned over the years is that the voice we listen to the most is usually the voice we end up following. Whether we realize it or not, what we allow into our ears influences our thoughts, beliefs, decisions, and actions.

I remember growing up singing songs without fully understanding their meaning. As a child, I would sing along to whatever was popular, never stopping to consider the message behind the lyrics. It wasn’t until I got older and began paying attention to what I was actually saying that I realized I had been speaking things and coming into agreement with ideas I had no business entertaining. What seemed harmless at the time was quietly shaping my thinking.

That realization changed the way I view what enters my ears and the ears of the children in my life.

As a parent, aunt, and godmother, I do my best to pay attention to what has the attention of the children around me. Today’s culture is creative, persuasive, and constantly finding new ways to influence young minds. Through music, social media, television, and entertainment, messages are being planted daily. Because of this, we must be intentional about what our children are consuming.

The Bible tells us:

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6

If we want our children to recognize God’s voice, we must first expose them to it. We must teach them His Word, pray with them, pray over them, and show them what it looks like to follow Jesus in everyday life.

Scripture also reminds us:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2

God never called us to blend in with culture. He called us to be transformed by His truth.

This message isn’t just for children. As adults, we also have to examine what has our ears. Sometimes something sounds good, popular, or even spiritual, and because it sounds like God, we accept it without testing it against His Word. Yet if it does not align with Scripture, it is not God’s truth.

Jesus said:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27

The only way we become familiar with the voice of God is by spending time with Him. We must immerse ourselves in His Word, seek Him through prayer, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. The more time we spend with God, the easier it becomes to recognize His voice and reject the voices that seek to pull us away from Him.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be set apart. We cannot successfully entertain the ways of the world while trying to fully follow God. Eventually, one voice will become louder than the other.

The Apostle Paul warns us:

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” — 1 Corinthians 15:33

What we repeatedly listen to influences who we become.

Take a moment today and examine what has your ear. Examine what has your children’s ears. Is what you’re listening to drawing you closer to Christ or pulling you further away from Him? Is it strengthening your faith or weakening your conviction?

Culture will continue to speak, but so will Jesus.

The question is: Which voice will you follow?

It’s time to tune out the noise of culture, heed the voice of God, and walk in His ways.

Closing Reflection:
The voices we entertain today can shape the direction of our lives tomorrow. Make God’s voice the loudest voice in your life, and teach the next generation to do the same. When Jesus has your ear, He will also have your heart.