John 10

"his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."

Verses 4 and 5

This whole section is Jesus telling us about sheep and a shepherd; a good shepherd who would watch over his sheep with his life. He walks before them, he watches over them, he loves them and wants what's best for them giving them pasture, still waters, and protection from robbers and wolves.

"I am the good shepherd: I know my sheep and they know me"



You know that second of thought when you are thinking about following into something you know is probably not a good idea?

That's what I am thinking about when Jesus says 'they do not recognize a stranger's voice'.

But what does it take to recognize someone's voice?

You need to be listening closely, you need to have spent time with that person, you need to have spent time talking with that person.

How could you tell an impressionist apart from the real deal? Because you know, the enemy masquerades as an angel of light too. (2Cor11:14)

So, it comes down to how close you are in your relationship with God. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." James 4:7b-8a

We are supposed to know His voice. Maybe even learn from Him, learn how He speaks, learn His heart and impersonate Him sometimes? =P Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.