Those who call God their Saviour in Christ Jesus are led by the Master’s inaudible voice (the leading of the Spirit); they may also hear the belittling, accusing, mocking ‘voice’ of the enemy of God—who mocks the obedience of the faithful one by discouraging them in their spirit.
It can take some discernment to determine whether we’re being rebuked by God or mocked by the enemy. But if we have acted in obedience—especially bold obedience—it is commonplace that the enemy will diminish our obedient acts.
Our acts of obeying God’s spiritual direction—our being led by God’s Spirit—will often be audacious, so it’s easy for the enemy to say to our conscience: “Why did you do that… Did you not do it for your own glory?” In these ways, our obedience is denigrated by the mocking spirit of the enemy.
The enemy also uses what we think other people are thinking against us. Of course, how can we ever know what other people are thinking? Unless they tell us. But we still commonly succumb to believing we know what they’re thinking, when we can’t.
Our obedient acts will often be instinctual—led by the Spirit Himself—done for Him, through His leading, by Him, through us. There is no pride or self-seeking in these acts. It’s in our flesh that we second-guess those instinctual obedient acts.
Enlisting Psalm 139:23-24 (“Search me, God, and know [reveal to me] my heart, test me and know [reveal to me] my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”) is one way we can check our motives. But oftentimes instinctive acts to bless others or situations cannot (or should not) be denigrated by anyone.
It’s easy to be discouraged into timidity by the threatened enemy for plain expressions of courageous faith. It’s very important, therefore, to be sure that our obedience does indeed please God. The last thing God wants are the obedient deeds of His people diminished by the accuser; for those God would wish to be encouraged be discouraged.
Perhaps we can benefit by knowing God is saying to us when we obey Him, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23)