John 10:25-27 ESV
John 10:25-27: Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
Introduction
In many fields where accuracy matters—like banking—people are trained to detect counterfeits interestingly. They don’t spend most of their time studying what is fake. Instead, they study the genuine.
Because there are many fakes. But when you know the real thing well enough, the fake becomes obvious.
Similarly, our lives are filled with many competing voices—culture, opinions, emotions, and influences. The real challenge is not the presence of these voices, but our ability to discern which one is truly from God.
Fortunately, in John 10:25–27, Jesus addressed people who had seen His works yet still did not believe. He then revealed a powerful truth: those who recognize His voice belong to Him.
Body
1. God’s People Are Known by Him
Verse 26
Jesus said: “You do not believe because you are not among my sheep.”
This shows us something critical: The issue was not a lack of evidence. The issue was a lack of relationship.
They saw His works, but they could not recognize His voice.
Verse 27
Christ then said, “My sheep…”
This speaks of relationship and belonging. Those who are His are not strangers to Him. He knows them personally.
Therefore, Christianity is not simply about knowing about God; it is about being known by Him.
When we belong to Christ, we are positioned to recognize His voice.
2. Knowing the Genuine Comes from Familiarity
Jesus continued, “My sheep hear my voice…”
Sheep recognize their shepherd’s voice because they are familiar with it. After all, they hear it consistently.
In the same way, we come to recognize God’s voice by spending time with Him—through His Word, through prayer, and through fellowship. Such that the more familiar we become with God’s voice, the clearer it becomes.
Actually, this is the key: You do not become skilled at spotting what is false by studying every false voice. You become skilled by knowing the true voice.
For: When you do not know the Shepherd, every voice can sound convincing. But when you know the Shepherd, every false voice becomes questionable.
3. True Recognition Leads to Obedience
Jesus then concluded, “…and they follow me.”
Hearing alone is not enough. True recognition leads to response-obedience. Because when we truly know God’s voice, we trust it and follow it.
Many voices may sound convincing, but only one leads in truth and life—the voice of the Shepherd.
Reflection
Many voices speak to us daily, and not all of them are from God.
Jesus makes it clear that the ability to recognize His voice is not merely about exposure—it is about relationship.
When we grow in our relationship with Him, we grow in discernment. What is false becomes easier to detect, not because we have studied every deception, but because we know the truth.
Do you know the voice of the Shepherd?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for being a Shepherd who speaks. Help me to grow in my relationship with You so that I may recognize Your voice clearly. Guard my heart from deception and teach me to follow You faithfully. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Call to Action
Take time today to intentionally listen for God’s voice.
Spend time in His Word. Pray. Be still before Him.
The more you know His voice, the easier it will be to recognize what is not from Him.
Additionally, explore How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners)
