How can we avoid becoming like those described in Ezekiel 12:2? \The Warning in Ezekiel 12:2\ “Son of man, you are living in the midst of a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear; for they are a rebellious house.” \Seeing What God Reveals\ • Ask the Lord to open your eyes: “Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things from Your law.” (Psalm 119:18) • Read Scripture expectantly—trusting every word to be true and personally relevant. • Compare what you watch, read, and listen to with the light of God’s Word (Psalm 119:105). • Reject willful blindness by confronting sin immediately (Psalm 139:23-24). \Listening With Spiritual Ears\ • Cultivate stillness: “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10) • Receive teaching humbly (James 1:19-21). • Test every message by Scripture and hold fast to what is good (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). • Invite the Spirit’s guidance: “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13). \Guarding Against a Rebellious Heart\ • Daily examine motives—rebellion starts in hidden places (Hebrews 3:12-13). • Confess and forsake sin quickly (1 John 1:9). • Surround yourself with believers who exhort you to faithfulness (Proverbs 27:17). • Remember past deliverances; gratitude softens the heart (Psalm 103:2). \Practicing Prompt Obedience\ • “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22) • Act on truth immediately—delayed obedience breeds hardness. • Keep short accounts with God: repent, adjust, obey. • Celebrate victories of obedience; they reinforce sensitivity to His voice (John 14:21). \Keeping Our Spiritual Senses Sharp Daily\ Daily rhythms that protect sight and hearing: 1. Scripture intake (Joshua 1:8). 2. Prayerful meditation (Psalm 1:2). 3. Spirit-led walk—“walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) 4. Corporate worship and teaching (Hebrews 10:25). 5. Service and witness—truth applied outwardly keeps it fresh inwardly (Matthew 5:16). \Summary Takeaways\ • Spiritual blindness and deafness come from a rebellious heart. • Clear sight and hearing flow from humble submission to God’s Word and Spirit. • Continual repentance, prompt obedience, and active fellowship keep us responsive rather than rebellious. |
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