When God Speaks Once: Learning to Trust His Voice Above All Others

​A Devotional on Discernment, Desire, and Financial Wisdom by Coach Maria – Faith 2B Strong OnPurpose

This afternoon, as I was listening to 1 Kings 13 and spending time in prayer, God opened my eyes to something I had never understood so clearly before.

It was the story of the man of God who received a direct instruction from the Lord:

“Do not eat. Do not drink.

Do not go back the same way you came.”

Simple. Clear. Direct.

But then another man — an older prophet — came to him and said:

“An angel told me to bring you back to my house.”

And the Scripture says:

“But he lied to him.” (1 Kings 13:18)

The man of God listened to the lie, followed the stranger, and disobeyed the instruction God gave him.

And I realized something:

It wasn’t just deception — it was the man’s own desire that made him vulnerable.

He wanted food.

He wanted rest.

He wanted company.

He wanted comfort.

And desire, mixed with pressure from another voice, opened the door to disobedience.

As I sat with this, God spoke gently to my spirit:

When I speak clearly, I will not contradict Myself through another voice.

God had already given the instruction.

He didn’t change it.

He didn’t update it.

He didn’t send someone to modify it.

The old prophet simply appealed to a desire the man already had.

And in that moment, I realized something about my own life, especially in the area of finances:

Temptation always comes disguised as relief.

False voices always appeal to your needs.

Pressure always tries to override God’s wisdom.

While praying, I told the Lord:

“Father, I don’t want to return to debt.

I don’t want to borrow out of fear or panic.

Guard me from the voice that says, ‘It’s okay, just get a loan… just satisfy the need.’

Convict me when the liar comes, so I don’t repeat the cycle.”

And suddenly, the story became clearer:

Like the man of God, I have my own set of desires:

• the desire to feel secure

• the desire to fix problems quickly

• the desire to escape pressure

• the desire to silence financial stress

When those desires rise, another voice always comes:

“Just borrow.”

“Just take out a loan.”

“It’s fine, you need it.”

“It will help for now.”

“It’s okay — God understands.”

But now I understand this truth:

When God speaks peace, fear should not guide me.

When God speaks trust, pressure should not lead me.

When God speaks wisdom, desperation should not make my decisions.

The man of God didn’t fall because a stranger deceived him…

He fell because he stopped honoring what God already told him.

So today, I prayed:

“Lord, when You give me clarity, don’t let me trade it for comfort.

When You give me instruction, don’t let me trade it for pressure.

When You give me peace, don’t let me trade it for fear.

Guard me from financial decisions that come from panic instead of wisdom.”

And I felt such peace.

Because God isn’t harsh with us.

He isn’t waiting to punish us.

He doesn’t forsake us when we make mistakes.

Instead, He teaches us.

He warns us gently.

He strengthens our discernment.

He matures our wisdom.

He protects our future.

He shows us where our desires try to override His direction —

not to condemn us, but to guide us.

And now I understand:

• I don’t need a loan to feel safe.

• I don’t need debt to survive.

• I don’t need to panic to provide for myself.

Because God Himself is my Provider.

And when the wrong voice tries to whisper “It’s okay, do it anyway,”

I pray the Holy Spirit will rise in me with truth:

“God already spoke.

His instruction stands.

And His peace is my answer.”

May this devotional bless you as it blessed me.

May it remind you that God’s voice brings clarity…

and His clarity brings freedom.