John 10:5 AMPC
They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognise their call.
Parents will know well the warning they give to their children to never talk to or go with a stranger, even if they offer sweets or ice creams etc. There are dangerous people out to kidnap and use children for their own evil plans. The strong warning is to run from any such person - don't even listen to them.
We are the Lord's spiritual children. God, as our loving Heavenly Father, is also concerned that we are not enticed and led astray by alien voices.
Jesus affirms that His sheep will never follow strangers' voices no matters how benign they may appear.
There is a mass of voices vying for our attention, seemingly innocent, but they are the worst kind. They are "strangers' voices" that lead us away from Jesus and God's designs for humanity. They seem to be allowing a fair chance for everyone to lead their own lives without any boundaries and it's easy to be seduced into believing their deceptions.
Yet these are voices of destruction.
Society has been diverted into believing satan's perverting lies via saying that there is no God, no ultimate truth - undermining male and female identities, traditional marriage, creation - the list goes on.
These are all "strangers' voices" from which we should run - individually and nationally.
Then there are false prophets who have been sewn into the body of believers to confuse and deceive:
Matthew 7:15 AMPC
Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves.
There are multiplied many prophecies being by traded on social media. We need "sheep's" ears to recognise the truth from a lie.
My mum was brought up on a farm and loved nursing orphaned lambs - she would feed them by hand with baby's bottles and they were kept in a pen for her to tend until they were old enough to re-join the flock.
She told me that, once they had grown up and joined the flock, if she called across the field to them, they would come running to her, as they recognised her voice. Of course she had pet names for them and they came to the sound of their name.
As believers, Jesus calls each of us out by name. He nurtures us through His Word and we gradually learn, as we mature, via the Holy Spirit's promptings, to recognise His Voice and runaway from lies.
Even if you've got lost and are out of the earshot of the Master. Remember Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep [John 10:14]. He will search you out and rescue you. No one can pluck you from His hands.
John 10:28
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
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