Three Voices 

So, how do we recognize how God speaks to us?  There are so many thoughts running through our minds, how can we tell which ones are ours and which ones are God's?  Years ago, I was researching this exact thing.  With so many thoughts and things happening, I wanted to clarify things further.  I was led to a book, and then I delved deeper into the author's work, recognizing truth in his words and discovering that he had written other books.  Then one day, I read a chapter that presented a challenge.  Journey to the Veil by John Pontius, chapter 10.  In this, he explained the three voices we all have in our minds.  

The Voice of our Mind- The first and loudest voice we hear is the voice of our minds.  We ask questions, debate, and doubt.  We analyze the events of our lives and make decisions.  The voice is almost always unsure.  It wonders about everything and questions, "Why did that happen?" "What should I do now?" "What does that mean?".  The way to recognize this voice is that it almost always references me, and I.  I'm hungry.  My foot hurts.  I need to get up and get going.  

The Holy Spirit-The next voice we hear is the Holy Spirit.  Most simply, this can also be called our conscience.  This is indeed revelation.  It is the voice of Christ.  Making this realization is the most important thing a soul can do.  Just like we all learn our A, B, and C's, the spirit has the ability to teach from A-Z, but did you know that there is more?  It doesn't just end at Z.  However, until you or I learn how to hear this voice in a manner that we recognize as the voice of Christ, we will not be able to continue our lessons in learning.  This voice always leads us to do something good and to believe in Christ.  It rarely asks questions and distills a thought or pure concept into our mind or heart.  "Don't do that"  "Slow down," "Pick it up" "Go that way," "Change lanes" "Give that woman some flowers" "Notice that person on the side of the road" "Say your sorry," "Do the dishes".  These are all examples of the voice of the Holy Spirit.  This Holy Spirit has a purpose of constantly informing us of what is right and what is wrong.  When we go to make a choice, the Holy Spirit nudges us to choose the good.  Everything that invites you to do good is inspired of God.  Including ideas that pop into your head.  Choosing to be obedient to all good promptings/ideas will increase your spiritual strength and will set you on a path of true Joy.  Just as we continually hear the voice of temptation, we also continually hear the voice of Christ, unless we shut if off through disobedience.  Promptings are just thoughts that come into the heart and mind, usually when you least expect it.  To some they come as visual images, pictures or sudden insight.  When these promptings lead us to do something good we can tell they come from Christ.  Even if that thought is as annoying as a thought to weed the garden, drive the speed limit, or clean your room.  ALL good things are inspired of God.  

The Voice of Evil-The final voice we hear is often (unfortunately) the voice of evil.  We are all familiar with temptations that appeal to our flesh, our pride, or our vanity.  This voice lies to us, and works to break us down, freeze us with anxiety or worry, and fight against anything good that God wants for us.  These beings seem to be hateful and envious.  What seems like a scuffle to us or a fight to lift our self-esteem or to be confident, is an all-out war to those beings who whisper lies, and intend to get us to obey them, which separates us from the Holy Spirit.  It usually starts with a prompting from the Holy Spirit which is then countered by the voice of Evil.  For example.  You may have a thought "Read the scriptures" and almost immediately comes a thought, "But your to tired" or "you have so much other things you need to get done, you should probably do the dishes first".  Maybe there is a thought "Get up and make your family breakfast" which is also immediately countered with "but it's your only Saturday you get to sleep in, isn't sleep more important?"  "Besides, they can make themselves breakfast".  The voice of Evil counters with things that are tailor-made for you and your weaknesses.  Your mind then says, "Oh my goodness, what should I do?".  The question isn't what should you do.  You already know what you SHOULD do, but the question is, will you obey the good voice or the voice telling you not to do those things?  

Recognizing that there are indeed three voices you hear at all times is the first step.  Then comes the challenge.  

In the book Journey to the Veil, Pontius suggests recording in a small notebook every thought you have for a short time.  Not forever, but as an exercise to try and gain clarity about which voice you are hearing.  I took this challenge.  It was indeed a very significant challenge.  Writing down every thought takes time and intentional effort.  However, after only a few days, I was able to accomplish this task and within a week felt as though I had conquered something not many have done.  You can do it too!!!  Take a notebook (preferably a small one), write down each thought you have, with a blank space after each thought.  At the end of the day, go back and record if you harkened to that which was good or if you followed that which was Evil.  After the first day, I simply wanted to recognize which was which, so by each entry I put a star for the ones I felt were from Christ, a smiley face next to the ones I thought were my own thoughts, and then I put a frowning face next to the voice of evil.  If you have time, record the result of what happened when you listened to the good thoughts.  Who's lives were changed?  Were you happy because you chose the good?  When you failed to obey the good thought/voice, what were the consequences?  What you will find is that you receive dozens of revelations daily.   You will also see that in every decision you made, right or wrong, you will see you knew what you should have done.   You will notice that the opposition is also very informed.  It is specific and intelligent.  It's giving you hundreds of reasons to disobey and satisfy some carnal desire or lust.  You will know once you complete this challenge, without a doubt, the war that is being waged for your soul.  

Every person who tries this is dismayed at how often Evil opposes anything good and light.  When you discover the truth and can discern between the three voices in your mind, your spiritual growth will increase, and you will have found a way to take control of the war that continues to rage.  You will be able to stand up to that voice of Evil more and say no.  You will have the knowledge to continue your learning and growth, and it will unlock some of the many mysteries of the spiritual realm for you.  

When I started my notebook, the first thought I had was "I need chocolate".  The next thought was "I need to go to the restroom."  and I got up to go to the restroom.  As I was in the restroom, I passed by the mirror, and glanced at myself in the mirror.  The very smallest of thought in an almost inaudible whisper came "You are a daughter of God" and then the loud thoughts immediately crowded in "Look at how fat you are, no one likes a fat person."  "Did you even do your hair today?"  "why would you wear brown, it makes everything look blah and boring."  And those thoughts kept coming until I left the mirror and left the bathroom.  I immediately went back to my notebook and wrote them down.  At the end of the day I looked at all of the thoughts.  Just within the first 20 minutes of my day, I had my own thought of "I need chocolate, and I need to go to the restroom.  We all know the good thought that came after that in the mirror, but it was so faint I almost didn't hear it.  The attacks came and as I recorded what happened and how they made me feel I realized that it was feeding my weaknesses into stopping me from shining my light.  If I choose to believe those things that are lies about myself, It could stop me from saying hi to someone who needs it, or from believing that I am indeed that child of God and that he cares about me.  It could mean that my smile isn't there, and instead, a cloud of doubt and worry constantly hangs over me, hiding me from others and making me shy away from interaction.  It could also stop me from knowing my true worth in the sight of God (which truly is the most important), and it could bring about a spiral of depression.  Write down what happens for you, and what each choice to believe brings.  Notice and observe.  You are the scientist looking for a theory to prove or dis prove.  What happens when you choose to ignore those damaging voices?  What happens when you do the good things instead?  And notice the tone and the volume that each voice has.  It's hard to record that part, but what you will find is that as you listen to the good, you are not only able to hear it more clearly and understand the good prompting, but rather you also hear it in different tones and just as loud or louder than the voice of Evil.