How can we avoid "covering our ears" to God's truth today? Setting the Scene “Then they covered their ears, cried out in a loud voice, and rushed together at him.” (Acts 7:57) Stephen had just proclaimed the unvarnished history of Israel’s rejection of God’s messengers and pointed to Jesus as the Righteous One they had betrayed. His listeners literally blocked their ears to silence conviction. Why They Covered Their Ears • Resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51) • Fear of losing religious status and control (John 11:48) • Pride that refused correction (Proverbs 16:18) • Hardened hearts that preferred darkness over light (John 3:19-20) Subtle Ways We Cover Our Ears Today • Selective Bible reading—skipping passages that confront sin • Redefining clear moral commands to suit culture • Constant media noise that drowns out quiet reflection • Over-reliance on teachers or podcasts instead of personal Scripture intake (Acts 17:11) • Harboring unforgiveness, which deadens spiritual hearing (Mark 11:25) • Treating church gatherings as optional or purely social (Hebrews 10:25) Practical Steps to Stay Receptive 1. Daily, unhurried Scripture reading—whole counsel, not just favorite books (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 2. Immediate obedience to what you already know; light obeyed brings more light (John 7:17). 3. Regular self-examination before the Lord (Psalm 139:23-24). 4. Silence and solitude—turn off devices, invite God to speak (1 Kings 19:12-13). 5. Humble fellowship: allow trusted believers to speak truth, even when it stings (Proverbs 27:6). 6. Confession and repentance keep spiritual ears clean (1 John 1:9). 7. Pray Scripture back to God, aligning heart and mind to His Word (Psalm 119:18). 8. Guard against doctrinal drift by measuring every idea against the Bible (Acts 17:11; Galatians 1:8-9). 9. Keep an eternal perspective—Jesus is coming; stay alert (Revelation 3:3). Scriptures that Encourage Listening Hearts • “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:15) • “Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” (John 18:37) • “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27) • “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28) Staying spiritually alert is not passive; it is a deliberate, daily choice to keep our ears—and hearts—wide open to God’s timeless, authoritative Word. |
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