Have you ever noticed when you’re having a conversation with someone that people tend to talk more than they listen? In fact, most people don’t listen with the intent to “learn,” they listen with the intent to “reply.” Sometimes it’s hard to even get your thoughts out before you’re interrupted with a response based on what they “thought you were going to say.” They just jump right in before even giving you the chance to finish what you were saying. It’s not only rude, it just doesn’t feel good to be ignored or not be heard. It’s not only good manners to listen in our personal relationships, but God wants us to give Him that same respect.
He loves for us to talk to Him, but He also wants us to listen to what He has to say. We need to keep in mind that prayer is a two-way street, not a one-way conversation. How can you discern God’s voice and hear His answers if you are not listening? Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 says, “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.” The best way to really listen for God’s voice is to go somewhere away from all the noise.
Did you know if you took all the letters in the word LISTEN and rearranged them, it would spell SILENT?
To really listen, remove yourself from all distractions, such as the television, your cell phone, or people talking. Find a peaceful place in your house or out in nature to quiet your heart, so that you can truly listen for the Holy Spirit.
Be intentional to secure time each day for “alone time” with God, where you can truly communicate with the King of the Universe, not only talking but listening too.
Luke 11:28 NLT
Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
Proverbs 18:13 NLT
Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.
Romans 10:17 NLT
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
Jeremiah 26:3-6 NLT
3 Perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways. Then I will change my mind about the disaster I am ready to pour out on them because of their sins.4 “Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: If you will not listen to me and obey my word I have given you, 5 and if you will not listen to my servants, the prophets—for I sent them again and again to warn you, but you would not listen to them— 6 then I will destroy this Temple as I destroyed Shiloh, the place where the Tabernacle was located. And I will make Jerusalem an object of cursing in every nation on earth.’”
© Brenda Walsh Ministries www.brendawalsh.com