How can we encourage others to listen to God's voice today? The Warning Embedded in Manasseh’s Story “The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they did not listen.” (2 Chronicles 33:10) • God’s voice was clear; hearts were closed. • The next verses record captivity, proving that ignoring God always carries consequences (vv. 11-13). God Still Speaks Today • Through Scripture – “All Scripture is God-breathed…” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Through His Son – “In these last days He has spoken to us by His Son.” (Hebrews 1:2). • Through the Holy Spirit – “He will teach you all things.” (John 14:26). • Through His creation – “The heavens declare the glory of God.” (Psalm 19:1-2). • Through other believers – “Admonish one another.” (Colossians 3:16). Ways to Encourage Others to Listen 1. Live a Listening Life • Jesus: “My sheep hear My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27). • When people see us respond quickly to God’s Word, they are stirred to do the same. 2. Share Scripture Naturally • “The word of God is living and active.” (Hebrews 4:12). • Work verses into ordinary conversation; let God speak for Himself. 3. Tell Stories of Obedience • “Come and hear… what He has done for my soul.” (Psalm 66:16). • Personal testimony turns abstract truth into concrete hope. 4. Cultivate Quiet Spaces • Elijah heard the “gentle whisper.” (1 Kings 19:12). • Encourage digital fasts, silent retreats, or a daily chair by the window—moments where God’s voice isn’t drowned out. 5. Warn with Compassion • “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:7-8). • Manasseh’s fall shows love sometimes sounds like warning. 6. Link Hearing to Doing • “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22). • Obedience reinforces receptivity; disobedience dulls the ear. Practical Conversation Starters • Share a recent verse that redirected your day. • Ask, “What’s one thing God has been showing you in His Word?” • Invite others to join a short reading plan and text insights back and forth. • Offer to read a chapter aloud together, then sit in silence for two minutes to let it sink in. The Role of Prayer and the Spirit • “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17). • Pray that God softens hearts (Ezekiel 36:26) and grants understanding (Ephesians 1:17-18). Finishing Thought Listening to God is not mystical—it is relational. By modeling a responsive life, sharing Scripture openly, creating space for silence, connecting hearing to obedience, and depending on the Spirit, we gently invite others to tune their ears to the voice that still speaks today. |
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