I’ve been thinking about condemnation and conviction lately. Those closest to me know that I am my own worst enemy and am harder on myself than anyone else is. When I make a mistake, I internally beat myself up about it and repeat the consistent phrases that have ran through my head for many years:

“You’re so stupid!”

“What an idiot.”

“I just can’t get anything right.”

Clearly, encouraging myself isn’t something that comes naturally. Unfortunately, after many years of having negative things spoken to me and about me by people, some of the labels have stuck. If I was talking to someone else after they had made a mistake, I wouldn’t tell them they were stupid or an idiot, yet when it comes to myself, those words flow quickly and instinctively.

It’s something I have battled for years, this deep belief that I am not capable of this, that, or the other, or that I am unworthy. There are times when I overcome the thoughts and remember that I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). There are times when I can silence that voice quickly and remind myself that God loves me beyond my failures and mistakes. But other times, the words flow through my mind and take root before I can capture them.

But I started to think about this a little more the other day and got to thinking about what that voice sounds like. I don’t mean does the voice sound feminine or masculine, I mean what is the undertone of the voice. What is this voice trying to achieve each time it pops up? Is it encouraging and life-giving and affirming, or is it negative and seeking to pull me down?

Each time I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit of sin or poor behaviour, His voice has been tender and loving. When God speaks, it is never to attack, blame, or belittle but to uplift and restore. When the Holy Spirit convicts us, He never attacks our character or tells us that we are failures. He reminds us of who we belong to and reminds us that we are called to reflect Jesus, not the world.

Yet every time the negative thoughts pipe up, they are condemning, demeaning, and attacking who I am. It’s a voice that accuses and belittles and tells me that I am not worthy to be forgiven or loved by God, let alone anyone else. It the voice of an enemy that wants to see me shrivel up and not live my life the way God intended for me.  

And that’s the key difference in the undertone of both voices. God’s voice is tender and loving. The enemy’s voice is harsh and unloving.  God’s voice is gentle, the enemy’s voice is loud. And if we are not careful, we will mistake the voices.

For us to really be able to distinguish between the voices, we need to regularly spend time in God’s Word. The bible tells us all about God’s character. His love is eternal (Psalm 136:26). His love for us is unbreakable (Romans 8:37-39). He is slow to anger and rich in love (Psalm 145:8). And He sent his one and only Son for us so that we could be reconciled with Him in eternity (John 3:17). God’s heart is for us, and his love is unconditional, so his words to us will always be life giving and a reminder to be like Jesus.

But along with God’s Word, we have the Holy Spirit, who is our compass and comforter. He brings revelation and understanding of God’s Word (John 14:26). He brings comfort and leads us in the way we should go, helping us to stay on the right path (Psalm 143:10).

The enemy’s voice is loud, but it is not truthful. Only God’s voice is truthful. The One that made you always wants what’s best for you and will always speak life over you. And He has given us everything we need to be able to know Him better and recognise his voice. We just need to sit at the feet of Jesus and fix our eyes on Him. Read His Word and meditate on the words. And invite the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your unconditional love for us. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that leads, guides, and speaks life over us. Help us to know You more and recognise your voice above every other voice. And help us to silence the enemy’s lies with your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.