“We must not give ear to every saying or suggestion, but ought warily and leisurely to ponder things according to the will of God.” Thomas a Kempis

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
John (I John 4:1)

So many voices speak into our lives. People who desire the best for us, people who desire our resources, people who seek power, and people from whom we have something to learn, all have something to say.

We need to decide which voices we want to hear, which voices bring a word we need to receive, and which voices bring words of distraction and destruction. Often the loudest voices, those that are the most tempting, are the ones we least need to hear.

Thomas a Kempis tells us we need to ponder things according to the will of God, taking our time and using caution. John tells us that we are to “test the spirits.” What is the spirit of the person speaking? Do the words (and actions) come from God, or are they contrary to who God is?

Perhaps a reminder is needed that Jesus made clear, love was the defining characteristic of who God is and who we are called to be. God’s will for us is to love Him and love our neighbors. If the voices we hear call us to love God and love each other, they may be deserving of some pondering. If the voices incite fear and hate, we should be wise and wary.

Lord, so many voices call for my attention. Too often I am distracted from that which I need to hear by those things that are destructive, those things that disrupt the peace that You bring. Help me to be aware of that which I am hearing. Help me to give my ear – and my mind – to those who lead me to love You and to love my neighbor.