In what ways can we "incline our ear" to God's guidance daily? Opening Scripture “My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.” (Proverbs 4:20) What It Means to Incline Our Ear • The Hebrew picture is of leaning forward, cupping the ear to catch every word—an eager, focused posture. • It involves intentionality: choosing to filter out other voices so that God’s voice is primary (John 10:27). • It also assumes obedience; Scripture never separates hearing from doing (James 1:22). Daily Practices To Cultivate a Listening Heart • Unhurried Silence – Begin each morning with a brief season of quiet, asking the Spirit to open your ears (Psalm 46:10). • Scripture Intake – Read or listen to a portion of the Word daily, giving it undivided attention. – Read aloud; the spoken Word lodges truth more deeply (Romans 10:17). • Prayerful Dialogue – Pray with an open Bible, responding to what God has just said rather than launching into a list of requests (1 Samuel 3:10). • Meditation & Memorization – Turn a key verse over in your mind throughout the day (Psalm 1:2). – Carry a card or set a phone reminder to revisit that verse. • Immediate Obedience – Act promptly on what you’ve understood; obedience sharpens spiritual hearing (John 14:23). • Godly Counsel – Invite mature believers to confirm or correct what you sense the Lord is saying (Proverbs 12:15). • Continual Thanksgiving – A grateful heart stays tuned to God’s frequency, recognizing His hand in daily details (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Guarding Against Competing Voices • Digital noise—limit screen time that drowns out stillness. • Cultural opinion—measure every message against Scripture’s plumb line (Acts 17:11). • Fleshly impulses—confess sin quickly; unrepentant habits muffle God’s voice (Psalm 66:18). • False teaching—test every doctrine; “Hold on to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Promises for the Listening Disciple • Life and covenant blessings—“Incline your ear, and come to Me; listen, that your soul may live” (Isaiah 55:3). • Guidance—“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go” (Psalm 32:8). • Wisdom’s treasure—“If you incline your ear to wisdom…then you will understand the fear of the LORD” (Proverbs 2:2, 5). • Intimate fellowship—“The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him” (Psalm 25:14). Summary Leaning in to hear God is a daily choice: making space for silence, saturating our minds with Scripture, praying responsively, obeying immediately, and guarding against competing voices. As we do, the Lord fulfills His promise to guide, protect, and satisfy every listening heart. |
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