How can we avoid being "blind" and "deaf" to God's message today? Seeing the Warning in Isaiah 42:20 “You have seen many things, but you pay no attention; your ears are open, but you do not listen.” (Isaiah 42:20) God was speaking to people who possessed His Word yet ignored it. The same danger exists today, and the remedy is the same: turn, listen, obey. Receive the Living Word Daily • Read with expectation—ask God to “Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law” (Psalm 119:18). • Commit to systematic reading, not hit-and-miss moments (Joshua 1:8). • Memorize and meditate; Scripture stored in the heart guards against spiritual blindness (Psalm 119:11). Rely on the Holy Spirit • The Spirit inspired the Word (2 Timothy 3:16) and alone enables true understanding (1 Corinthians 2:14). • Ask Him to “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). • Stay surrendered; unconfessed sin grieves the Spirit and muffles His voice (Ephesians 4:30). Practice Immediate Obedience • “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). • Small acts of obedience clear the way for greater revelation (John 7:17). • Delay breeds dullness—respond while the Spirit is prompting (Hebrews 3:7–8). Cultivate a Listening Posture • Set regular, unhurried times of silence before God (Psalm 46:10). • Journal insights; writing anchors what He says. • Fast occasionally—physical discipline sharpens spiritual senses (Isaiah 58:6–9). Guard Against Hardened Hearts • Reject habitual sin; it blinds and deafens (Matthew 13:15). • Beware cynicism and constant criticism; they breed disbelief. • Keep gratitude alive; thankfulness keeps the heart soft (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Stay Connected to the Body • Gather faithfully (Hebrews 10:25). God often speaks through preaching, teaching, and mutual encouragement. • Submit to accountability; loving correction restores sight and hearing (Proverbs 27:6). • Serve others—ministry sensitizes us to God’s heartbeat (Galatians 5:13). Live in Expectation of Christ’s Return • Watching for Jesus keeps spiritual senses alert (Matthew 24:42). • Hope purifies; it motivates holy living and attentive listening (1 John 3:3). In a Sentence We avoid spiritual blindness and deafness by saturating ourselves with God’s Word, yielding to the Holy Spirit, obeying without delay, guarding our hearts, walking with fellow believers, and living in eager anticipation of our Lord’s return. |
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