Are You Really Listening to God?

"I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen."   -Ernest Hemingway

During His earthly ministry, Jesus often ended a lesson by crying out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" For example: concerning John the Baptist (Matthew 11:15); the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:9); and, the explanation of the parable of the weeds (Matthew 13:43).
 
In His letters to the churches of Asia, Jesus concludes each with a similar saying:  "He who has an ear. let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22).

Maybe you've wondered, "What is the point of these sayings?" Think of it as similar to someone saying, "What's being said is very important, so you'd better pay attention and listen!" (cf. Mark 4:23-25). It illustrates that Jesus had encountered a problem then, that often exists today. And, this shouldn't surprise anyone. The problem being that: 1) Many people simply don't listen; 2) Or, don't listen, so as to understand.

I agree with this. In fact, I am convinced that many today don't appreciate the importance of listening well. As I mentioned above, this was such a problem that it even concerned Jesus! That should you some idea as to the severity of this problem. Therefore, I think it is quite appropriate here to ask, How well do you listen?"

Let's begin by pointing out three types of listeners. First, there are the "hard of hearing." This is commonly known as the type of person who hears you, but doesn't get it. Some of the Hebrew Christians were like this (cf. Hebrews 5:11). Note that when a person has this problem, it is hard for others to explain things to them! The fault isn't with the "subject" material, or the "presenter", but with the "listener"!

Isaiah wrote about such people, and Jesus applied it to many in His day (Matthew 13:13-15). People are this way because they are dull of heart! This prevents them from: 1) Understanding God's truth; 2) Turning from sin to God; 3) And being healed (saved) by God! Seriously, who would want to be this type of listener?

The next kind of listeners are those with "itching ears." Paul describes these in 2 Timothy 4:3-4). These people listen only to pleasing things (or pleasing to them). They don't care for "sound doctrine" (which often requires the kind of preaching mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:2). They'll find the teachers they want...but then they turn from the truth to fables (non-truth). As a matter of fact, many today are often afflicted with this "hearing" problem!

Lastly, there are those listeners who hear with a "noble and good heart." Jesus talks about these in Luke 8:15. The Bereans were listeners of this kind  (Acts 17:11). They were "fair-minded," thus willing to give Paul a fair hearing. It showed in how they "received" (or listened to) the word: "with all readiness." And this, is precisely the kind of listener we all should be!

Why is it so important to be this kind of listener? Well, there are several reasons that come to mind. And, we could certainly discuss them (and lots more) all day! But, I will try to briefly touch on only these today. First off, regarding the importance of good listening, it's essential to being blessed. For those willing to listen properly, there are wonderful things to learn (Matthew 13:16-17). Also, there are things pertaining to wonderful blessings that are now available in Christ! (cf. Ephesians 1:3). We miss out on these blessings if we do not carefully listen!

Having good listening is essential to saving faith. God has ordained that we be saved through faith in Christ (cf. Romans 1:16-17). Such faith comes through proclaiming the gospel; often involving listening to a pastor (cf. Romans 10:14,17). While a person can certainly gain faith through reading God's Word (cf. John 20:30-31), the fact remains that many are often dependent upon what they first hear proclaimed. Let me say here, one reason faith is often lacking, is because people simply are just not good listeners. They miss out on the evidence in God's Word which produces faith! Does your "listening" obstruct the development of your faith?

Good listening is essential to bearing fruit.  In the parable of the sower, the only kind of soil (heart) capable of bearing fruit was the one which listened properly (Luke 8:15). That's because bearing fruit comes from "understanding" the grace of God! (cf. Colossians 1:6). Note that the gospel was bearing fruit in the Colossians. But, that was "since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;" Only by listening well can we "understand" God's grace, and be motivated to bear fruit to His glory!

The importance of good listening is also essential to preventing apostasy. There's a real danger of drifting, by neglecting "so great a salvation" (Hebrews 2:3). The only solution is to "give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard" (Hebrews 2:1). Poor listening is often the first step to apostasy!

Finally, the importance of good listening is essential to avoiding rejection and condemnation. Look, if we don't listen as we should, those who teach God's Word have a right to reject us (cf. Matthew 10:14-15). And, we are judging ourselves unworthy of eternal life (cf. Acts 13:44-49). By the way, the rejection and condemnation is not limited to coming from just these individuals...it will come from God, too!

Surely, we appreciate the wonderful opportunities we have to be able to listen to God's Word, and the importance of good listening! How can we improve our ability to listen? Here are some tips for you...

1) Make listening an act of worship. How you listen to God's word being read, or preached, is as much an indication of your devotion to God as to how you pray, or sing. So, when you have opportunities to listen, do it with "a worshipful attitude"
2) Listen from first to last. This one is easy. Pay attention!
3) Look at the speaker. This greatly aids your concentration!
4) Read along in your Bible. What else can I say?
5) Listen with faith. Listen with a willingness to accept and believe what is shown in God's Word.
6) Listen with a mind to act. Hearing must be accompanied by doing; to be of any profit (James 1:22-25).

In closing, we have seen that to be blessed in what we do, it all begins with listening in the proper way. How important, then, is listening? When it comes to listening to God, it's very important! (Isaiah 55:2-3).

Scripture: John 8:47: Romans 10:17; Proverbs 3:5-6; 1 John 5:14; Philippians 4:7; Proverbs 11:14; Deuteronomy 28:2

Prayer: Dear Lord, You are my light and salvation. With you, I am not afraid, and have nothing to fear. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Danielle