What steps can we take to truly "see" and "hear" God's Word? Verse to Focus On Matthew 13:16: “But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.” Understanding the Blessing • Jesus speaks of a present, personal blessing—eyes and ears already tuned to God’s voice and activity. • Seeing and hearing are supernatural gifts, sustained by active cooperation with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:12–14). • The blessing implies responsibility: revelation received must shape belief and behavior (James 1:22). Common Barriers • Cluttered hearts—worries, riches, and pleasures choke the Word (Luke 8:14). • Dullness through habitual sin (Hebrews 3:13). • Selective hearing—embracing the parts we like, dismissing the rest (2 Timothy 4:3–4). • Neglect of Scripture, leading to spiritual malnourishment (Deuteronomy 8:3). Practical Steps to Sharpen Our Spiritual Senses 1. Prioritize daily, unhurried Bible intake • Read consecutively through books of the Bible to grasp context. • Use aloud reading; hearing your own voice engages both sight and sound (Revelation 1:3). 2. Invite the Spirit’s illumination before, during, and after reading • Ask Him to “open my eyes to see wondrous things” (Psalm 119:18). • Expect conviction, comfort, and correction (John 16:13). 3. Meditate and memorize • Turn verses over in your mind; let truth sink from head to heart (Psalm 1:2). • Rehearse passages throughout the day—driving, walking, waiting. 4. Act promptly on what you learn • Obedience clears spiritual ears; disobedience clogs them (John 14:23–24). • Start small: forgive, speak truth, give generously—whatever the text requires. 5. Engage in gathered worship and faithful preaching • God still speaks through the proclaimed Word (Romans 10:17). • Corporate worship amplifies seeing and hearing as we sing, pray, and listen together. 6. Cultivate silence and solitude • Elijah heard God’s “gentle whisper” only after the wind and fire passed (1 Kings 19:12–13). • Schedule regular noise-free moments; leave the phone behind. 7. Test every impression by Scripture • Feelings can mislead; the written Word anchors us (Acts 17:11). • If it contradicts Scripture, discard it. 8. Fellowship with believers who prize the Word • “Iron sharpens iron” conversations refine spiritual perception (Proverbs 27:17). • Share insights; invite accountability for obedience. Encouragement from Other Scriptures • “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28) • “The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130) • “Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live.” (Isaiah 55:3) Takeaway Seeing and hearing God’s Word flow from a surrendered heart, a Scripture-saturated mind, and a life eager to obey. Guard the gift, remove the barriers, and watch the blessing deepen day by day. |
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