Stranger Danger
“And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” – John 10:5, KJV
In the 1960s, the phrase “Stranger Danger” evolved. It was a phrase taught to children bringing awareness to persons who proposed a threat to them. The meaning behind the idea was all strangers can potentially be dangerous.
The stories these strangers presented were lies that sounded so truthful they would strip the very innocence away from their victims. Yet, their voices were calming, convincing, and friendly. So much so that a child could be deceived into thinking the person was a safe place with nothing but good intentions. While all along, the plan was to bring harm to God’s little ones.
Eventually, the phrase was phased out because it was proven that most children are taken advantage of by family members or people, who are familiar to them.
Throughout our Christian journey, we have come to learn many voices circulate in the atmosphere. Through the gift of discernment, we are to decipher which voice is ours, which voice belongs to the Devil, and which voice belongs to God. It is an assignment that can be hard at times, but it’s not impossible.
In the illustration of the shepherd, Jesus said sheep know the voice of the one who cares for and protects them. Therefore, the sheep will not follow any other vibration of sound coming from the mouth of another. They will ignore it.
Oh, how I wish Eve could have done this. Life, as we know it today, could be so much different.
So, the behavior in question is, did Eve know the voice of God?
What caused her to believe the voice of the serpent over the voice of God?
Perhaps, Adam should have been in the background yelling, “Stranger Danger!” Stranger Danger, Eve!” Resist this alien voice and flee.
It would seem that Eve’s sense of discernment was not as keen as the sheep in Jesus’s illustration. Or was it? Could it have been that the three sins we battle every day took preference over what she already had — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life? (1 John 2:16)
To avoid the trap of mistaken identity, we have to spend time with God. Our relationship with Him has to be more than a casual acquaintance. It has to be an intimate relationship — one where the quality of time outweighs the quantity of time.
When we spend time in God’s word, we get accustomed to what He speaks and how He says it. When we spend time in His presence, we learn how He speaks to us. For some, God’s way of communication could be a still small voice. For others, it could be a dream or vision. And for some, it could be a confirmation from the scriptures. We have to be comfortable in believing that no one way is the only way. How God talks with me can be different from how He speaks with you. However, the most important thing is we recognize His voice when He is speaking.
Like the shepherd’s sheep, we should not follow a voice we do not recognize.
Now, recognition can be more than sound. It can also be about content. If the words spoken go against the truth of God’s word, flee. If the words are a half-truth where a part is correct, but the other part is false, run. You are in a “Stranger Danger” situation.
John 10:10 reads, “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.” Therefore, recognize him when he comes, and do not allow him to lead you down a path the Father has not ordained.
Join me again next week for Coffee on The Couch.