What practical steps can we take to better hear and obey God's word? \John 8:47—The Foundational Truth\ “Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” (John 8:47) The Lord links hearing with belonging. Being His leads naturally to listening and obeying. Below are practical steps that flow out of this truth. \Step 1: Confirm Your Relationship with the Author\ • Salvation precedes perception. John 1:12; 1 Corinthians 2:14 • If you have trusted Christ, rejoice in the Spirit who enables hearing (John 16:13). • If not, repent and believe the gospel; until then, the line stays blocked. \Step 2: Clear the Line of Communication\ • Unconfessed sin dulls the ears (Psalm 66:18). • Practice quick confession and repentance (1 John 1:9). • Pursue holiness—“Be holy…for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16). \Step 3: Saturate Your Mind with Scripture\ • Daily intake—read, listen, or memorize (Psalm 119:11). • Study contextually; let Scripture interpret Scripture (Acts 17:11). • Keep a running journal of insights and applications (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). \Step 4: Cultivate a Listening Heart\ • Begin each reading with simple openness: “Speak, Lord” (1 Samuel 3:9-10). • Eliminate distractions—silence devices, find a quiet spot (Mark 1:35). • Meditate, allowing truth to sink in (Joshua 1:8). \Step 5: Apply Immediately—Obedience Over Delay\ • “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28) • Note one concrete action after each reading. • Small, prompt steps train the will for larger obedience (James 1:22). \Step 6: Stay in Community for Accountability\ • Gather regularly with believers (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Share what you are learning; accountability sharpens obedience (Proverbs 27:17). • Submit to sound teaching—God often speaks through gifted leaders (Ephesians 4:11-13). \Step 7: Persevere Through Spiritual Opposition\ • Expect resistance (Ephesians 6:11-17). • Use Scripture as your sword when doubts or distractions arise (Matthew 4:4). • Keep praying; persistence tunes the heart (Luke 18:1). \Living the Verse\ Belong, listen, obey—John 8:47 summarized. As these steps become habits, hearing God’s voice through His Word becomes the steady soundtrack of daily life, and obedience turns into joyful reflex. |
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