What practical steps can we take to improve our spiritual hearing and understanding? Setting the Scene Acts 28:26 quotes Isaiah and captures Paul’s sober verdict on unresponsive hearts: “Go to this people and say, ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.’” God’s Word is flawless; if our ears are dull, the fault lies with us. Below are clear, Scripture-guided steps to tune our hearing. Recognize the Danger of Dull Hearing • Spiritual deafness isn’t a minor irritation—it barricades us from life-giving truth (Hebrews 5:11). • A hard heart grows by repeated refusal to obey (Hebrews 3:7-8). • Every unreceptive moment compounds into the judgment pictured in Acts 28:26. Practical Steps to Sharpen Spiritual Hearing 1. Humble Your Heart • Psalm 25:9—“He guides the humble in what is right.” • Approach Scripture confessing, “I need Your correction.” 2. Clear Out Known Sin • James 1:21—“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth… and humbly accept the word planted in you.” • Repent immediately; lingering sin muffles God’s voice. 3. Saturate Yourself in Scripture • Romans 10:17—“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” • Daily reading, memorization, and audible listening open spiritual ears. 4. Commit to Obedience Beforehand • John 7:17—willingness to do God’s will precedes deeper understanding. • Decide in advance: “Whatever You show me, I’ll do.” 5. Practice Listening Prayer • Psalm 46:10—“Be still, and know that I am God.” • After reading, sit quietly, inviting the Spirit to press truth on your heart. 6. Test Every Impression by the Word • 1 John 4:1—“Do not believe every spirit; test the spirits.” • Scripture is the non-negotiable filter for dreams, advice, or inner promptings. 7. Stay in Fellowship • Hebrews 10:24-25—mutual encouragement sharpens discernment. • Discuss insights; iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). 8. Cultivate a Teachable Spirit • Proverbs 2:2—“Incline your ear to wisdom.” • Welcome correction from trusted believers and leaders. 9. Act Quickly on What You Hear • James 1:22—“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” • Immediate obedience preserves sensitivity; delay breeds dullness. 10. Share What God Teaches You • Philemon 6—faith becomes effective when we acknowledge and communicate every good thing we have in Christ. • Teaching others reinforces your own hearing. Encouraging Illustrations • Samuel (1 Samuel 3) said, “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening,” and received clear direction. • The Bereans (Acts 17:11) listened eagerly, then examined the Scriptures daily—model hearers who grew in understanding. • Lydia (Acts 16:14) had her heart opened by the Lord; she immediately responded and her household followed. Key Scriptures to Revisit This Week Acts 28:26; Isaiah 6:9-10; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:18; John 10:27; Hebrews 5:11-14; James 1:19-25; Psalm 119:18. Closing Thoughts The God who speaks has also supplied everything needed for us to hear. As we humble ourselves, clear out sin, immerse in Scripture, and obey promptly, our spiritual hearing grows keen and our understanding deepens. |
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