What does "hear what the Spirit says" imply about spiritual attentiveness? Setting the Scene • Revelation 3:22: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” • The final line of Jesus’ seven letters, spoken to all believers, not just one congregation. • The context is corrective and encouraging; the Lord’s voice is urgent, authoritative, and personal. What “hear what the Spirit says” Literally Signals • Present-imperative Greek verb ἀκουέτω (“let him keep on hearing”)—a continuous, ongoing action, not a one-time event. • The Spirit (Πνεῦμα) is the divine Author and Messenger; His words carry equal weight with the words of Jesus because He speaks Jesus’ words (John 16:13-15). Attentiveness Begins with Having an Ear • Every believer is gifted with “ears” (spiritual capacity) at conversion (John 3:3-6). • The issue is not ability but willingness—“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:23). Active Listening, Not Passive Hearing • James 1:22—“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” • Hebrews 3:7-8—“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” • Attentiveness demands: – Focused mind (Colossians 3:2) – Softened heart (Ezekiel 36:26-27) – Obedient will (John 14:15) What Spiritual Attentiveness Looks Like • Sensitivity to conviction—1 Thessalonians 5:19 “Do not quench the Spirit.” • Readiness to adjust life—Acts 10:19-20, Peter obeys the Spirit’s prompt. • Alertness to Scripture’s voice—2 Timothy 3:16-17, every line of Scripture speaks today. • Discernment of truth vs. error—1 John 2:27, the anointing teaches what is true. Daily Practices That Cultivate Attentiveness 1. Saturate in Scripture • Romans 10:17—Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ. • The Spirit ordinarily speaks through the written Word. 2. Pray with openness • Psalm 139:23-24—Invite God to search and reveal. 3. Stay yielded • Ephesians 5:18—Be filled (controlled) by the Spirit. Continuous surrender sharpens the ear. 4. Walk in obedience • John 7:17—Those willing to do God’s will will discern His teaching. 5. Guard inputs • Proverbs 4:20-23—Attend to God’s sayings; distractions dull spiritual hearing. The Promise and Warning Embedded in the Phrase • Promise: Guidance, comfort, empowerment (Romans 8:14; John 14:26). • Warning: Deafness leads to discipline (Revelation 3:19) or loss of lampstand influence (Revelation 2:5). Bottom Line “Hear what the Spirit says” is a call to deliberate, continuous, obedient attentiveness—tuning every faculty to the Spirit’s voice through Scripture, yielding promptly, and living responsively so that Christ’s message shapes every aspect of life. |
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