After three days in the tomb, Jesus broke the bands of death and rose to a new, resurrected life. This miracle of miracles is the central point on which faith in Christ rests. He rose with healing in His wings, bringing hope of life after death and redemption from sin to all who would hear His voice.
The events of Holy Week marked the end of Jesus Christ’s mortal sojourn on earth. He is no longer with us, but has ascended to His Father in heaven. Though gone, His voice is still with us in the form of the Holy Spirit. This still, small voice is the light within us that prompts us towards truth, virtue, and life. We all have access to His voice.
But we hear other voices. Paul said, “There are… so many kinds of voices in the world” (1 Corinthians 14:10) that compete with the voice of the Spirit. The Spirit’s voice is ever-present, yet calm. Said Isaiah, “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever” (Isaiah 32:17). The adversary tries to smother this voice with a multitude of loud, persistent, persuasive, and appealing voices:
- Murmuring voices that conjure up perceived injustices.
- Whining voices that abhor challenge and work.
- Seductive voices offering sensual enticements.
- Soothing voices that lull us into carnal security.
- Intellectual voices that profess sophistication and superiority.
- Proud voices that rely on the arm of flesh.
- Flattering voices that puff us up with pride.
- Cynical voices that destroy hope.
- Entertaining voices that promote pleasure-seeking.
- Commercial voices that tempt us to “spend money for that which is of no worth” and/or “labor for that which cannot satisfy” (2 Nephi 9:51).
- Delirious voices that spawn the desire for a [numbing] “high.”
Technology and algorithms have amplified these voices to a fever pitch. Those who do not curate and filter these voices become subject to them, drowning out the voice that leads to elevated frames of mind.
You must see with the eye of faith eternal, unseen, spiritual verities, whereas the masses of mankind depend solely on temporal things, which can be known only through the physical senses. This solution may not be popular, it may not get you gain, or worldly power. But it will bring you far greater fruits of the spirit, such as “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22–23). The joy we seek is not a fleeting emotional high, but a lasting inner joy cultivated through long experience and trust in God. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Rectitude is a perpetual victory, celebrated not by cries of joy, but by serenity, which is joy fixed or habitual” (“Character,” Essays: Second Series [1844]).
This Easter Sunday, let’s review the voices we allow into our minds and ask ourselves if those inputs are serving our best interests. May we all seek to hear the best voices and find joy in hearing the sweet voice of His Spirit more regularly in our lives.
(Reference: “The voice of the Spirit,” by James E. Faust)