Which voice is louder – God’s or culture’s?

Aug 23, 2026 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Do you find it hard to hear God’s still, small voice? Does a lot of ‘noise’ fill your day and compete for your attention? Join us as we unpack this topic, share personal examples, and offer wisdom to help you create space and quiet to hear God’s voice.

Episode Notes:

Introduction:

  • Our culture today is very demanding.
  • Social media and noise can fill our day and compete for our attention.
  • FOMO – Fear of missing out.
  • Instant gratification.
  • Absorb culture and don’t seem to question it because everyone else is doing it.

First Principle: Regularly stop and assess

  • Take stock. What is the loudest, most influential voice in my life right now?
  • Look at what is filling your days, your mind, your thought life, the ‘down’ times of your day.
  • What is keeping you awake at night? What do you think of first thing in the morning?
  • Look at your social media access. Try fasting from social media or whatever is grabbing your attention and see how it goes.
  • Don’t just coast along, but make a habit of asking questions.
  • Learn to question your choices, decisions, lifestyle, e.g., education system, way you spend finances, holidays, buying a house, what fills your time, e.g., work/study, etc.
  • Romans 12:1-2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” The Message version is “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.”
  • Conform – take on the shape. Don’t live in a fortress out of fear, though.
  • Surround yourself with ‘truth-tellers’ – people who will be honest with you. Not just ‘yes’ people.
  • Proverbs 13:20 “Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.”
  • I am prompted to get back into the habit of reading a chapter of Proverbs each day, e.g., on the 7th day read chapter 7, etc.

Second Principle: Pause. Be still.

  • Quiet the ‘external’ voice.
  • Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God” It’s in a chapter about chaos. Verses 1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
  • Selah – stop and catch your breath. Pause. Usually used in the middle of chaos. A reminder to stop, pause, take a breath, settle your mind, heart, and thoughts. E.g. Psalm 3 when David is fleeing from his enemies. Not a time to take a break and rest. But it is built into the narrative – don’t turn your mind off God during those times.

Third Principle: One way God speaks is in a still, small voice.

  • 1 Kings 19: 7-12. Elijah had shown up the prophets of Baal and annihilated them, but then got scared and ran for his life. An angel of the Lord gave him food, water and rest because he was hungry and tired, and that was affecting him physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Then he travelled another 40 days and nights, went into a cave where he heard in verse 9: “And the word of the Lordcame to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
  • Nature can calm us.
  • John 10:27 “My sheep listen to (or recognise) my voice. I know them and they follow me.”
  • John 17:15-17 “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

Summary:

  1. Regularly stop and assess.
  2. Pause. Be still.
  3. One way God speaks is in a still, small voice.

Prophetic activation:

Turn your heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him:

  • “God, is there something I could take a break from or fast this week to spend more quiet time with You?”
  • “God, can You please show me how or when I can take a break this week?”

Time Stamps:

[0:37] – Gary & Jane share how they have heard God this week.

[5:41] – Introduction.

[7:09] – First Principle: Regularly stop and assess.

[16:28] – Second Principle: Pause. Be still.

[19:39] – Third Principle: One way God speaks is in a still, small voice.

[22:47] – Summary

[23:11] – Prophetic activation.

[24:23] – Gary & Jane share a prophetic word for a listener.

[26:51] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Romans 12:1-2
  • Proverbs 13:20
  • Psalm 46:10
  • Psalm 3
  • 1 Kings 19:7-12
  • John 10:27
  • John 17:15-17

Connect with Gary & Jane:

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