Here’s a figure of speech you’re probably familiar with: “I was just pulling your leg.” This is a phrase that means you were just joking or tricking someone. If you were physically pulling someone’s leg, it would not be a figure of speech. A term or phrase can’t be defined as a figure of speech if it’s being used in a literal sense, and a literal term or phrase can’t be a figure of speech. A figure of speech is always a picture of something different. If you’re wondering what in the world this has to do with apologetics or theology, keep reading. I promise there is a connection. (And, no, I’m not pulling your leg!)
In a previous blog, I discussed the importance of interpreting any Bible verse in its proper context in order to understand the true meaning and be able to make accurate applications. In this blog, I want to discuss another verse I frequently hear used by Christians to mean something other than what the context indicates: “My sheep hear my voice.” This verse (the first part of John 10:27) is almost always used to support the idea that Christians have the ability to perceive God’s voice giving them guidance or instruction. The wording seems pretty straightforward, but there is an important clue in the text that explains why the voice Jesus is talking about is not the still, small voice of God speaking privately to believers. We find this clue in the beginning of the chapter. (This is an excellent example of why reading an entire chapter is recommended for understanding a verse in context.)
Reading from the beginning of chapter 10, we see Jesus talking to Jews about sheep hearing the shepherd’s voice, entering the sheepfold through the door, and not following the voice of strangers. The clue that is crucial to understanding these first few verses and those that follow is found in verse 6: “This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.” Knowing Jesus was using a figure a speech tells us He was not referring to literal sheep, or a literal door, or a literal voice. They were all figures of speech.
Because his Jewish listeners didn’t understand what he was trying to say, he repeats the story with more detail. He reveals himself as the good shepherd and refers to other sheep (the Gentiles) not of this same fold whom he will also bring into the flock. The Jews continued arguing among themselves and were still confused about who Jesus was. They were able to hear the words Jesus was saying, but they still didn’t understand what He was telling them. Jesus explains to them in verse 26 the reason they could not understand and would not believe: they were not among his sheep. They could not respond in faith because they were not among the sheep the Father has given to the Son.
Picking up in verse 27, Jesus again uses the figure of speech about his sheep hearing his voice and following him. To those sheep he gives eternal life (salvation). In this context, hearing Jesus’ voice is a figure of speech depicting the work of the Holy Spirit that leads the lost to salvation. The application here is not believers who are already part of God’s Kingdom.
There is disagreement among believers about whether or not God speaks to individuals today, and how He speaks to us. Proponents on both sides of this debate use Scripture to support their view. Regardless of which view you agree with, the point to remember is that the verse in question (John 10:27) can’t be used as a proof text for hearing God’s voice. The context makes it clear: Jesus was using a figure of speech.
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