Listen for the Voice of Your Coach

We attended a summer league basketball game in which my nephew, Will, was playing. Twelve teams, consisting of fifth and sixth graders, were playing simultaneously on 6 courts. The close proximity of games caused a lot of noise. Referee’s whistles could be heard from other courts. Parents were cheering their children on. One father, who was sitting near me, was calling out commands to “Dribble the ball.” or “Don’t miss that rebound.” The opposing coach was calling out to his team members, one of which was also named Will. It was a cacophony of sounds and voices all vying for a player’s attention.

Amid this confusion there was only one voice the players should be listening for. That was the voice of their coach. The only directions they are to follow will come from this coach. They will then communicate with their teammates in order to carry out his wishes. All other voices and distractions must be tuned out.

In the busy world that we live in there is much competition for our attention. The voice of the Holy Spirit, our coach and leader, is often difficult to hear because of all the other voices and noise that surround us. As children of God we must be ever diligent to focus on the voice of the Holy Spirit above all others. “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14 AMP) This requires that we know The Lord’s voice by previous experience. “The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27 AMP)

Distractions come in many forms. Like the parent who was yelling directions to his son, people that we know may often give us advice that may or may not agree with God’s direction for our lives. Although well-intentioned, this advice does not always line up with God’s plan. When there is a conflict between the advice of friends and the leading of the spirit we must remember the words of the apostle Peter. “…We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29b AMP)

Activities, commitments and daily concerns can get in the way of paying attention to what the Lord says. Jesus addressed this issue when visiting the home of Mary and Martha.  He kindly spoke to Martha, who had been busy taking care of her guests while her sister Mary listened to Jesus teach,  “But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42 AMP) Listening to the words of Jesus was deemed most important.

Money and possessions can also be a distraction to us. Jesus clearly stated that we can torn between loving God and desiring things. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in). Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing?” (Matthew 6:24-25 AMP) We must listen for God’s direction and trust him to provide all that we need.

Messages will be sent your way by the enemy of your soul. From his first appearance in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3) to this current day the devil speaks lies and gives wrong direction. Jesus said of the devil, “...He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false.” (John 8:44b AMP) We cannot listen to him no matter how loud his voice seems or even if his words seem right. If they are not the words of the Lord we do not pay attention!

 We must always listen to and follow the voice of God. “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:7-8a AMP) Then, together with other believers, we can cooperate to carry out His perfect plan and successfully play this game of life.

Listen to the Holy Spirit, your coach, today. Together with other believers, execute His game plan for your life.