In what ways can we ensure we "listen to the words" of God? The Call to Listen “I will hold accountable anyone who does not listen to My words that the prophet speaks in My name.” (Deuteronomy 18:19) God’s expectation is plain: hearing His word is non-negotiable, and He measures our response. Cultivate a Hearing Heart • Ask the Lord to make your heart like Samuel’s: “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10) • Pray Psalm 119:18—“Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.” • A soft, repentant heart positions us to catch even the quietest whisper (Isaiah 66:2). Prioritize Daily Scripture Intake • Meditate on the word “day and night” (Joshua 1:8). • Delight in it “like a tree planted by streams of water” (Psalm 1:2–3). • Remember every line is “God-breathed and useful” (2 Timothy 3:16). Practical tip: set a non-negotiable time and place, even if brief, so God’s voice frames the day rather than the world’s noise. Quiet the Competing Voices • Elijah heard God in “a gentle whisper” after the wind, quake, and fire passed (1 Kings 19:11-13). • Jesus warns that “the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things” choke the word (Mark 4:18-19). Silence the phone, step away from screens, and guard margins for uninterrupted listening. Obey What You Hear • “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22) • “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” (Luke 11:28) The more promptly we act on Scripture, the clearer the next instruction becomes. Rely on the Holy Spirit • “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13) • We have received “the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.” (1 Corinthians 2:12) Ask the Spirit to illuminate, convict, and apply the passage personally. Stay Connected to the Body • “Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you… teaching and admonishing one another.” (Colossians 3:16) • Mutual encouragement keeps ears open: “Encourage one another daily… so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13) Attend worship, join a small study, and invite accountability. Guard Against Hardened Ears • “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:15) • Persistent resistance turns ears dull (Matthew 13:15). Regular confession and swift repentance keep spiritual hearing sharp. Make Listening a Lifestyle • Bind the words “as a sign on your hand… write them on your doorposts.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9) • Review verses while commuting, memorize passages with family, sing Scripture-saturated songs. When God’s word saturates ordinary routines, we remain continuously tuned to His voice. Following these patterns, we position ourselves to hear, heed, and delight in every word God speaks. |
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