An old fable that has been passed down for generations tells about an elderly man who was traveling with a boy and a donkey. As they walked through a village, the man was leading the donkey and the boy was walking behind. The townspeople said the old man was a fool for not riding, so to please them he climbed up on the animal’s back. When they came to the next village, the people said the old man was cruel to let the child walk while he enjoyed the ride. So, to please them, he got off and set the boy on the animal’s back and continued on his way. In the third village, people accused the child of being lazy for making the old man walk, and the suggestion was made that they both ride. So the man climbed on and they set off again. In the fourth village, the townspeople were indignant at the cruelty to the donkey because he was made to carry two people. The frustrated man was last seen carrying the donkey down the road.

Spiritually speaking, many listen to many different voices. Some listen to the voice of opinion, others to the voice of the majority, some to the voice of desire, and still others to any and every voice. At a time when many were leaving Jesus because they did not like what He taught, He asked His disciples, “Would ye also go away” (Jn. 6:67)? He disciples responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (Jn. 6:68). This is what we must realize. My friends, the only voice we should listen to for spiritual guidance is the Lord’s, and His voice is revealed to us in the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16-17). What voice will you listen to – the voice of the world, the voice of your own opinion, or the voice of God? Who will you listen to?