Introduction: Strangers throw thoughts and ideas at you. We are talking about the thoughts and ideas that come from strangers and how we should evaluate them.

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John 10:5 "A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

A stranger. Jesus explains what a stranger looks like in John 10:12-13. A stranger is just a hired hand. Strangers are just paid workers. They get something in return for their effort. Jesus is not paid to care of you. He cares for you because He loves you. A stranger is not the shepherd of the sheep. Jesus is the only true shepherd who truly cares for you. A stranger sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away. Jesus defends you and will not leave you ever. A stranger is not concerned about the sheep. Jesus is concerned for you.

A strange voice. There are thoughts that enter your mind that are from strangers. They don’t sound like what Jesus would say or like the words he has spoken before. Jesus is God and the exact representation of God the Father. Remember that the Bible is a record of what Jesus has said before to many different people through the centuries. You can read and see what Jesus’ character is like and how He has responded in the past to many different situations.

Prayer coaching: “Jesus, make Your voice clear to (me) in my mind. Point out the thoughts that are not from You, and keep me from following strangers and what they say. Help (me) run away from strangers. Give (me) discernment to know which thoughts are from strangers.”