In any given situation, someone is the loudest voice in the room. Sometimes the loudest voice is the also the wisest voice. Sometimes the loudest voice is the most experienced voice. Sometimes the loudest voice is the most spiritually mature voice. Sometimes the loudest voice is the angriest voice. And sometimes the loudest voice is just that–the loudest voice.

Isn’t it interesting how our outlook, our decisions and how we approach life are shaped by the loudest voice in the room? Of course, depending on the character and heart of the individual, sometimes the loudest voice has the potential to rally people to a greater good. In other situations, the loudest voice has the potential to generate the greatest harm. One unifies. The other creates division. Unfortunately, it’s sometimes difficult to distinguish the two, because they’re both vocal.

Here are some quick observations about the loudest voices in different relational dynamics:

• When the loudest voice is a critic, it’s easy to begin making decisions that compromise God’s calling.
• When the loudest voice is our kids, we sometimes sacrifice their future by giving them an inflated view of their place in this world.
• When the loudest voice is someone other than our spouse but they’re the opposite sex, it will very likely lead to an affair.
• When the loudest voice is someone older and more experienced than us, there’s often great wisdom but it may also come with a hesitancy to take new ground.
• When the loudest voice is a friend, sometimes their desire to protect us prevents them from delivering the truth we need to hear.
• When the loudest voice is our voice, we can easily find ourselves at a place where we are crippled by pride or fear.

Counsel from others is a good thing. We need to foster relationships where good counsel flows. However, good counsel is typically confirmed through multiple voices. More important, good counsel is never contrary to the voice of God.

That brings me to this final thought. The voice of God never contradicts Scripture. God never tells us to do something that is different than what he’s already expressed through his Word. Though I know God uses prayer, promptings, circumstances, other people, etc. to get our attention and to point us in a new direction, he never tells us to move down a path that’s different from the plan he’s communicated previously through the Bible. Unfortunately, we all probably know of examples where someone ended up making poor choices and facing the consequences because “God told them to do it.”

That, of course, begs the question: Is the voice of God the loudest voice in the room? We need mentors. We need elders. We need critics. We need the conversation. At the end of the day, though, we need God’s wisdom. If we pray for that and discipline our lives to regularly engage his Word, he will give us that.

Pause for a moment. Listen. Who is the loudest voice in the room?