“Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant, yet walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.” - Isaiah 50:10.
Have you ever pondered what it means to truly hear the “voice” of the living God? The Bible challenges us to go beyond superficial understandings and to plunge into its deeper essence—a journey not just of listening, but of discerning and acting upon the “voice” at the center of the Bible. Yet, it’s crucial to notice that the Bible does not encourage us to worship some ideal connected to it. Instead, it calls us to trust in the wisdom and philosophy of its “voice,” which “voice” is synonymous with the “name” of the living God.
The Bible separates its philosophy from the religious world’s theology. It doesn’t ask us to idolize or blindly follow a figure; rather, it emphasizes valuing the speech—the doctrine—of that servant. This distinction is key: this servant’s wisdom, not their person, holds the transformative power. In 1 Corinthians 4:6, it’s written, “Learn in us not to think of men above that which is written.” Similarly, John 15:20 states, “The servant is not greater than his lord.” These verses make it clear that the voice and not the servant or minister is to be prioritized, guiding us to treasure the Bible’s words rather than elevate an individual.
To truly follow the Bible’s guidance, our faith must recognize this “voice”—a voice rooted in wisdom and spiritual understanding, as stated in Colossians 1:9: “The knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” This voice isn’t about leading our belief to blessings; instead, it’s about letting our belief guide us into receiving the blessing. When aligned with this voice, our belief, and even our disbelief, becomes a powerful instrument of edification.
Our responsibility to edify one another is found in Mark 12:31: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Yet, true edification begins within. We cannot effectively love or edify others if our understanding is not first nurtured and guided by this voice. Luke 6:41 asks, “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” Our ability to help others hinges on our own spiritual clarity and self-awareness.
Faith is more than just a spiritual connection; it is a dynamic force meant to express our unique capacity to edify. According to 1 Corinthians 14:10-11, there are countless voices in the world, each with significance. Understanding the “meaning of the voice” within the Bible is crucial, as it transforms us from being mere speakers to being true edifiers, fostering growth in ourselves and others.
Our faith exists not just to affirm a belief but to manifest a distinct capability to “love”—to build up and strengthen. This potential becomes reality through a disciplined engagement with the voice at the heart of the scriptures. As noted in 1 Timothy 1:5, “The end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” This process of faith’s refinement and growth is what enables us to fulfill our highest potential in both personal and communal contexts.
We must ask ourselves: Are we truly edifying according to the Bible’s standard? If not, what voice is guiding our actions? Recognizing and embracing the Bible’s voice, and especially the voice transferred to us from the living God’s chief apostle, allows our faith to flourish and guides us toward our greatest personal and spiritual potential. It’s a call to humble ourselves for the sake of our faith’s higher learning, ensuring that our faith is rooted not in surface-level beliefs, but in the useful knowledge of the Bible’s wisdom.
Faith is not static; it has a character that must be discovered and nurtured. It holds thoughts, feelings, and a distinct purpose that can only be fully realized through an intimate understanding of the living God’s voice. This journey is about more than acquiring knowledge; it’s about embodying the Bible’s fact, moving beyond the superficial learning cautioned in 2 Timothy 3:7, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Your faith has a voice that it needs to hear and respond to—a voice that guides it toward edification and purpose, which voice Isaiah 42:4 emphasizes: “The isles shall wait for his law.” It’s our responsibility to ensure that our belief is guided by this understanding, allowing it to develop into its fullest expression to fulfill its purpose. Take the time to cultivate this understanding, for it is in this voice that the true essence of your faith and its capacity to bless others will be realized.