What Does The Bible Say About Listening?
The Bible has much to say on the topic of listening, which is crucial to becoming a better Christian. Listening is an act of submission to God and is a form of worship. It is often referred to as “tuning the spirit” and involves more than just hearing – it encourages one to heed the wisdom of God. It is when we learn how to listen to God that we can gain spiritual growth, understanding, and peace. In His Word, Jesus encourages us to listen more than to speak.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 (NKJV) offers perhaps one of the most direct commands from the Bible that reminds us of the value of listening to God. In the context of this passage, the phrase “be still” has a calming effect on our spirit and allows us to focus. Being still in God’s presence, we are more apt to listen to His wisdom. This can be seen in both a personal and communal context.
The Bible is also clear on being “quick to hear and slow to speak,” (James 1:19 NKJV) which although quite simple in its directive, is quite antithetical to today’s society. Modern society attaches great value to speech and quick responses, while biblically God attaches great value to thoughtful listening and reflecting His words. This directive is a reminder to place God and His wisdom before our own. When we take the time to listen, we learn more of His will and how He would like us to conduct ourselves.
Listening helps us to interpret and receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God speaks to us in so many ways, but it’s often difficult to discern His voice above the busyness of life. Listening also helps us to receive insight from other people, in particular from those in spiritual authority. We can learn from each other, no matter where we are in our spiritual journey.
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Matthew 11:15 (NKJV) we are reminded that many will hear but few will take action on what they have heard. This can be translated to our lives as we read the Word of God but fail to heed His instructions; it is important to take action on what we have heard. Sometimes, all we need is to listen while other times we must put into practice what we have heard.
Lastly, listening to God strengthens our faith in Him. It is only through listening that we are able to test our own faith and find confirmation in His will. As Proverbs 4:1-2 (NKJV) states, “Take my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than rubies.” Listening to God through prayer and His Word is invaluable to our relationship with Him. It is only through listening that we can appreciate and follow God’s will for our lives.
How To Hear And Respond To God
Listening for the voice of God and responding to His instructions is essential to living life as a Christian. To do this we must take time to be still, to be quiet, and to make time to listen. Bible reading and prayer are two prime examples of ways to listen to God but simply spending time away in nature, can also be a way. We can receive tremendous spiritual satisfaction and benefit from spending time in these pursuits.
Interestingly, listening can also involve silence as well. The notion of experiencing the presence of God in silence is a practice of deep spiritual reflection. We can still hear the whisper of God’s voice even in the midst of silence. It is often during the periods of stillness that our hearts are opened to the encouragement and assurance of God.
We should also be aware that God speaks in many forms, from thoughts that come to our mind, to orchestrations and wise words. We may also receive the answers to many of our prayers in dreams. It is possible to draw closer to God by listening to various types of music, reading books and scripture, heeding the counsel of friends, and even viewing films and television.
However, it is essential to listen for God’s will above our own wishes and desires. It is only through prayerful listening that one can reflect and focus on God’s will for our lives. We must also be mindful that God may not answer our prayers immediately, He loves us and therefore wants what is best for us and His timing is always perfect.
Being by ourselves and in the presence of God gives us the opportunity to discern the answers to our prayers more accurately. It is in these times that we can practice self-reflection, study His Word, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Discern God’s Voice
God speaks to us in many ways and it can prove to be difficult to discern His voice amongst the many other voices that seek to influence us. The clearest voice we hear, however, comes directly from the Bible. We must study and apply His Word to our lives and be mindful of the root of our decisions; all of which come from God.
The further we remove ourselves from worldly influences, the clearer God’s voice will become. This means spending time away from the hustle and bustle of our day to day life and listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We should also be aware of how God communicates with us; through visions, signs, dreams, and more. We should take chances to read Scripture, pray, and meditate, to help us stay rooted in God’s Word and focus on His will for our lives.
Heeding Advice
We should also value the input we receive from our friends and family. Especially the people in our closest circles that can encourage us in the walk of faith and point us in the direction of God’s will. The Bible commands us to be honest and accountable to one another, and even encourages us to seek out godly counsel. Alongside discerning the voice of God, it essential to listen to the wisdom of those who have gone before us.
Listening to others is an expression of love and humility. When we pour ourselves into hearing the stories of those around us, we come to understand the world and their lives as they do. We’ll find that not only are we able to learn a lot, but also provide comfort, understanding, and of course, spiritual nourishment.
Taking Action
However, there is no point in listening if we are not willing to act on what we have heard. Listening to God and discerning His voice should go hand in hand with the last part of His command; doing what we were told. We can only know the will of God when we listen, but it is necessary to put into practice what we have heard.
We should take what we’ve learned and immediately create a plan of action to put it into motion. It can oftentimes be difficult to part with things that are familiar, but if we fail to act on our convictions these will be put to waste. Listening and hearing are not enough to become the people God wants us to be, it is doing that really matters.
God has uniquely created us to listen and hear His voice. Following His directions also means separating ourselves from the noise and chaos of the world and focusing on His will. We must strive to be vigilant in our listening and understand that God is always speaking, regardless of where we are or what we are doing. His voice is not a loud roar, but a whisper of love, and we must pray to hear it more clearly.
A Call To Action
Listening and hearing God’s voice goes beyond our emotions and understanding. We must practice discernment and be still so that we can listen. God wants us to take action on what we have heard and will lead us in the direction that He knows is best for us. Through prayer and meditation, we can find opportunity to experience the presence of God and hear His voice more clearly.
God speaks to each of us in our own special way, and it is up to us to listen carefully and pay attention. By doing so, we will be building a solid foundation of faith in the Lord and allowing Him to lead us in the right direction.
Putting It Into Practice
We can take action in listening and responding to the will of God in a number of ways. We can start by taking the time to meditate on Scripture and to pray. This can be done all throughout the day and can be done anywhere. We can also be mindful of the way we communicate with others and be intentional with our words to express God’s love.
We can also seek out supportive communities of people who come alongside us on our journey and encourage us in the Lord. Together, we can share our stories of faith and be a witness of Christ. Additionally, we can be active members in the church and seek instruction from those in spiritual authority.
Finally, we should tap into our own creativity and use any gifts that God has given us. Whether they are our writing skills, our singing or artistic talent – using them to point to Jesus is a way to draw closer to Him and to glorify God.
Closing Thoughts
Listening to God and responding to His will more often than not requires us to take a step back from the noise and chaos of the world. We are to be still and draw closer to Him and seek out His voice. By discerning His will through prayer and the Word, we can make God’s will known in our own lives and learn what it truly means to trust in Him for direction.
God speaks to us in various ways, including directly and through His messengers, and it is up to us to listen. We must take action on what we hear and live each day in obedience. This can be done through prayer, studying Scripture, and being wise and faith-filled in our conversations.
Through listening, we can make space for God to move in our lives and be guided by Him. It is only when we listen to God and obey His will that our lives can be transformed by His power.
