My dearly loved brothers, understand this: everyone must be quick to hear... (James 1:19 HCSB)
Listening can be the determining factor in failing or succeeding. "Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed"(Proverbs 15:22 MSG)
Most of the biblical texts containing a variation of the word or concept for listening are in the imperative mood. Meaning they are commands or strong requests. In the book of Revelations for instance, the churches of Asia Minor are repetitively told to pay attention to what is being said: "He that have ears let him hear what the Sprit is saying (see Revelation 2: 7, 11, 17 & 29). The writer of Proverbs is equally direct and clear at insisting upon listening: "Listen, for I speak of noble things, and what my lips say is right .... All the words of my mouth are righteous."(See Proverbs 8:6-8). The Lord Jesus also requires us to listen, and he adds that the words he speaks are life and sprit (John 6:63). In truth, listening to Jesus' words is life-making and life-changing.
Unfortunately, we, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, are "slow of heart to believe what is being spoken"(Luke 24:25). Consequently, some of us are now living with the results of poor decision making. We are experiencing the casualties of not listening: not listening to God or God's word; not listening to sound or experienced advice; or simply not listening to ourselves.
Certainly, we all have some regrets: things we wish we hadn’t done or said; places we shouldn't have gone and people we shouldn't have gotten involved with. And, now we find ourselves saying "I wish I had listened" when my parents told me the stove was hot, or when the doctor said I should change my eating habits and exercise routine, or when my friends said something didn't seem right with the person I was dating. They told me to slow down and be patience; things will come in time.
We would be much better off if only we had followed the suggestion from the bible “be quick to hear"(1:19). Hearing in this context is not just being engaged in listening, but attempting to understand and make viable application with relevant and significant outcome. We must avoid the calamities of poor listeners who are hesitant to receive wise and learned advice. Instead, there should always be some evidence of us listening and applying God's truth to our lives. We should reflect that we are obedient to the wisdom of God.
God wants us to be quick to hear so we can avoid some unnecessary pitfalls and shortcomings. So, try to be quick to listen and slow to speak. As the adage goes, use your two ears and shut your one mouth for a while. There is a plan for your life and the only way to know or obtain it is to listen to the voice of God.
Prayer: Lord, daily I will seek you so that I can walk in your way and be able to follow your plan. I know you have a plan for my life and it is to bless me and not hurt me (Jer. 29:11). Increase my ability to hear your voice and to obey your will. Put me in position to be quick to hear you for all that is relevant for my life and the lives of those I am concerned about, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
God's peace and Good journey!
+t. anthony bronner
Originally Published June 10th, 2010
Listening can be the determining factor in failing or succeeding. "Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed"(Proverbs 15:22 MSG)
Most of the biblical texts containing a variation of the word or concept for listening are in the imperative mood. Meaning they are commands or strong requests. In the book of Revelations for instance, the churches of Asia Minor are repetitively told to pay attention to what is being said: "He that have ears let him hear what the Sprit is saying (see Revelation 2: 7, 11, 17 & 29). The writer of Proverbs is equally direct and clear at insisting upon listening: "Listen, for I speak of noble things, and what my lips say is right .... All the words of my mouth are righteous."(See Proverbs 8:6-8). The Lord Jesus also requires us to listen, and he adds that the words he speaks are life and sprit (John 6:63). In truth, listening to Jesus' words is life-making and life-changing.
Unfortunately, we, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, are "slow of heart to believe what is being spoken"(Luke 24:25). Consequently, some of us are now living with the results of poor decision making. We are experiencing the casualties of not listening: not listening to God or God's word; not listening to sound or experienced advice; or simply not listening to ourselves.
Certainly, we all have some regrets: things we wish we hadn’t done or said; places we shouldn't have gone and people we shouldn't have gotten involved with. And, now we find ourselves saying "I wish I had listened" when my parents told me the stove was hot, or when the doctor said I should change my eating habits and exercise routine, or when my friends said something didn't seem right with the person I was dating. They told me to slow down and be patience; things will come in time.
We would be much better off if only we had followed the suggestion from the bible “be quick to hear"(1:19). Hearing in this context is not just being engaged in listening, but attempting to understand and make viable application with relevant and significant outcome. We must avoid the calamities of poor listeners who are hesitant to receive wise and learned advice. Instead, there should always be some evidence of us listening and applying God's truth to our lives. We should reflect that we are obedient to the wisdom of God.
God wants us to be quick to hear so we can avoid some unnecessary pitfalls and shortcomings. So, try to be quick to listen and slow to speak. As the adage goes, use your two ears and shut your one mouth for a while. There is a plan for your life and the only way to know or obtain it is to listen to the voice of God.
Prayer: Lord, daily I will seek you so that I can walk in your way and be able to follow your plan. I know you have a plan for my life and it is to bless me and not hurt me (Jer. 29:11). Increase my ability to hear your voice and to obey your will. Put me in position to be quick to hear you for all that is relevant for my life and the lives of those I am concerned about, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
God's peace and Good journey!
+t. anthony bronner
Originally Published June 10th, 2010
No comments:
Post a Comment