John 10:4 When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call. AMPC
Our life should be about letting Jesus walk in front of us, following Him so we can know His voice and let Him lead us in the good life He intends for us. When we are willing to follow Him we will know His voice and we won’t follow a strange voice, a voice we’re unfamiliar with, in fact we’ll recognize it as the thief right away, and reject it!
So many times though we listen to that stranger’s voice, even though it is not familiar to us and it doesn’t represent God’s character, we take it anyway. The reason we do is because the thief makes his suggestions look more attractive than God’s direction.
That is how the enemy kills, steals, and destroys in our lives— by getting us to heed his voice, trying to make his way seem better than following the Voice that cares for us.
But as we make it our quest to follow the Shepherd and run from the thief knowing he is a fraud trying to sell us a fake temporary life— then we can live that real abundant life Jesus is talking about.
John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). AMPC