Why You Might Be Defeated (Part 2) (1 Sam. 17:8-11, 20-24, 26-29, 31-33)

Whom were Israel's soldiers listening to?

• They were listening to Goliath's voice – the voice of intimidation.
• They were listening to each other's voices – the voice of consensus.
• They were listening to Saul's voice – the voice of reason.
•  They were listening to Eliab's voice – the voice of ridicule and contempt.

Whom are God's people listening to?

• They are listening to the politicians – the voice of futility.
• They are listening to the majority – the voice of compliance and tolerance.
• They are listening to to the entertainers – the voice of compromise.
• They are listening to social media – the voice of frivolity.
• They are listening to the news – the voice of negativity and cynicism.
• They are listening to the ads – the voice of discontentment.
• They are listening to their phones – the voice of distraction.
• They are listening to the polls and pundits – the voice of spin.
• They are listening to the times – the voice of doom.
• They are listening to the world – the voice of despair.
• They are listening to the skeptics – the voice of doubt.
• They are listening to the historians – the voice of the past.
• They are listening to their labels – the voice of excuse, fear and bondage.
• They are listening to the experts – the voice of contempt.
• With all of these voices screaming nonstop at you, no wonder you're confused or discouraged at times! No wonder you feel defeated!

Whom should God's people be listening to?

• God's people should be listening to Jesus – the Voice of Victory (Jn. 10:27).

Conclusion:  In order to stop being defeated and start walking in victory, you will need discernment to keep on listening to Jesus.

“I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses;

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses.”

1 Thess. 5:21-22