Did God Really Say That? Includes Guided Walking Meditation

Did God Really Say That? Evaluating the Voices We Listen To

by Rhonda Jones

I recently watched the TV series The White Queen, which delves into the legacy of Queen Elizabeth. One storyline stood out to me: After King Edward died, Queen Elizabeth sought sanctuary, fearing for her son’s life as his successor. King Edward’s younger brother, Richard, was a man of good character, known for his humility and kindness. However, after the King’s death, those around Richard began to whisper in his ear, just like little devils sitting on his shoulder. They planted seeds of doubt, urging him to usurp the throne, banish Elizabeth, and claim power for himself. 

At first, Richard resisted. He wrestled with the morality of these suggestions. Yet instead of confronting Queen Elizabeth to clarify the rumors, he allowed the voices around him to shape his decisions. These voices were not motivated by righteousness but by their own greed and hunger for power. Tragically, Richard succumbed to their influence, seizing the throne improperly. This decision set off a chain of events that led to his family’s downfall. His wife, his child, and ultimately his kingdom were lost. Had Richard trusted his moral compass and adhered to proper protocol, his family might have enjoyed a long and prosperous life.

This story reminded me of Eve and the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Eve, who had access to every good thing from God, began listening to the cunning words of the serpent. His question, “Did God really say…?” was designed to sow doubt and confusion. It’s unlikely this deception happened in a single moment. More plausibly, the serpent whispered half-truths and lies day after day, until Eve’s focus shifted from God’s goodness to the perceived limitations of her situation. Ultimately, she and Adam fell into sin, leading to separation from God and their downfall.

The serpent’s question—Did God really say that?—is one we must confront daily. Satan, described in Scripture as “the accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10) as well as the Father of Lies, constantly plants accusations, doubts, and fears in our minds. He seeks to distort God’s truth, often using subtle and persuasive lies. How many times have we entertained negative thoughts about ourselves or others, not recognizing their source? Thoughts of inadequacy, self-condemnation, or bitterness often stem from the enemy’s whispers rather than the voice of God.

The Bible tells us, “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there” (James 3:16). Allowing such thoughts to take root can lead to strife, division, and even spiritual ruin. To guard against this, we must consistently evaluate the messages we dwell on. When faced with accusations, fear, or negativity, we should pause and ask, Did God really say that? Does this thought align with God’s Word, or is it the enemy seeking to deceive and derail us?

Taking Thoughts Captive

Second Corinthians 10:5 reminds us to “cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” This means actively rejecting thoughts that contradict God’s truth. Instead of passively allowing negative narratives to dominate, we combat them with Scripture. Jesus demonstrated this in the wilderness when tempted by Satan. Each time the enemy presented a lie, Jesus responded with, “It is written…” (Matthew 4:1-11). Similarly, we must hide God’s Word in our hearts (Psalm 119:11), ready to use it as a weapon against deception.

The Power of Silence and Reflection

Richard’s downfall was partly due to his failure to take time for contemplation and solitude. Surrounded by voices seeking to manipulate him, he lacked the clarity to discern truth from deception. In our own lives, we often make poor decisions when we’re hurried, overwhelmed, or disconnected from God. Taking time to reflect in silence and prayer allows us to hear God’s voice more clearly. Isaiah 30:15 says, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

Silence before God creates space for His truth to overshadow the lies of the enemy. As we meditate on His Word, we gain the discernment to recognize when thoughts or voices are not from Him.

Practical Steps to Discern God’s Voice

1. Compare it to Scripture: Does the thought align with God’s Word? For example, thoughts of self-condemnation contradict Romans 8:1, which declares, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

2. Examine the fruit: Does this thought produce peace and encouragement, or does it lead to fear, division, or despair? God’s voice brings peace (Philippians 4:7). If not, it’s probably a ploy of the enemy to cause division, strife, and confusion. 

3. Pray for clarity: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the source of the thought. James 1:5 promises that God will give wisdom generously to those who ask.

4. Speak God’s truth: Combat lies with Scripture, just as Jesus did. For example, if you’re battling fear, declare, “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

   

5. Examine your mind: The carnal vs. spiritual mind- Romans 8:6-11, tells us that the carnal mind brings death (anything separating us from God) but the spiritual mind produces life and peace. We must continually examine which mind we are operating from. Philippians 4:8-9 gives guidance, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

6. Pause, Meditate, and Breathe – During times of chaos, strife, and anxiety, it’s best to take a time out, breathe, and allow your mind to calm and emotions to subside. Use Christian meditation to reorient your mind back to peace, faith, and God’s presence. Remember that God’s works through love. Romans 5:8 declares, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God calls us to die to ourselves, our egos, and our own ways and to do our best to live in peace and harmony with all (Romans 12:18). Even when they are clearly wrong. 🙂 

Conclusion

The voices we listen to shape our decisions and, ultimately, our destiny. Like Richard and Eve, we’re vulnerable to deception when we neglect to evaluate the voices influencing us. By asking, Did God really say that? and aligning our thoughts with His Word, we can resist the enemy’s schemes and walk in the peace and purpose God has for us. Let us be vigilant, taking every thought captive and allowing God’s truth to guide our hearts and minds.

Guided Walking Christian Meditation: I created a companion guided Christian walking meditation to accompany this article.This guided walking meditation is 17 minutes long. You can do it on your morning walk or even around your home. I love incorporating the physical body with God’s word through meditation and movement making it a mind, body, and spirit exercise as well as a holistic experience. I believe walking can also be a spiritual experience when done mindfully.  Pairing it with scripture and prayer helps to:

• Calm your mind, reducing stress and anxiety.
• Strengthen your body, improving circulation and overall well-being.
• Renew your spirit, drawing you closer to God with each step.
• Imprint God’s truths in our mind and heart.

You can access the guided Christian walking meditation here on Youtube.