Listening

Luke 10:39 NASB Mary was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.

Speaking is a critical skill that is highly valued in society. It begins with infants and celebrating a baby’s first words. But speaking is only half of good communication. What about the skill of listening?

Scripture is full of warnings about the power of words. But equally there are instructions to listen. James 1:19 sums this up with, “Everyone should be quick to listen and slow to speak.” Maybe the greatest failure of modern Christianity is not teaching the power of listening. Too often, our prayer time is a wish list of wants and desires versus asking the simple question, “Heavenly Father, what is on your heart today?” We have taught activities over listening, service and duty over simply dwelling in His presence. Do we really believe that God knows our needs before we even ask, that he has given us everything we need for life and godliness, and that he withholds no good thing from those that love him? If we truly believed and understood these promises, shouldn’t our prayers reflect that belief? We often make prayer more about what we want from God than what God wants of us.

Listening is not just hearing the words that are being spoken but understanding the meaning behind the words. We often quote James 2:26, “Faith without works is dead,” but busyness does not come before abiding. Faith comes by hearing, by listening. (Romans 10:17). In Luke 10, Jesus is visiting the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Verse 39 tells us that Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening while Martha was diligently doing everything needed to be a good hostess. Finally, she had enough and complained to Jesus. (Side note: complaining to the Lord of all creation is probably not a good strategy). Jesus responded, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42). Jesus made it crystal clear: He values listening over activity.

Prayer is about having an open heart, listening, and connecting with God in spirit. It is possibly the ultimate act of worship. When Jesus told the woman at the well, “The Father is looking for those who will worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23), he wasn’t talking about music and singing. To worship in spirit and truth is not ritual or routine; it is not lights, fog machines, talented singers, and musicians. It is opening our hearts to receive, humbling ourselves before the Creator of the Universe, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is listening, having ears to hear what the Father is saying.

Sometimes He whispers, “I love you,” and sometimes He instructs, “go and do,” but listening, hearing, and obeying is to truly worship in spirit and in truth. The woman at the well believed the refreshment she needed would be found in the well’s water, but Jesus said the only consistent and true source of refreshment and renewal is spending time with our heavenly Father, where you will never thirst again. We have been given the Holy Spirit to know his nearness and love, to rest in God’s presence, and to hear his voice. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27. If we take time to sit quietly in His presence, to have an open heart, and to listen, He is faithful to speak into our hearts. God is not after performance; he is after you and a desire for His presence.

If you desire to grow in your relationship with the Lord, focus on listening. David said, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:10). Still is the Hebrew word rāp̄â—to quiet oneself, placing your entire being in a posture to listen, leaning into the Lord. Find a place and time, sit quietly in His presence, and do nothing but listen. It takes discipline, but your life will never be the same.

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Zechariah 7:13 NIV When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen, says the Lord Almighty.

Jeremiah 17:23 NIV Yet they did not listen or pay attention; they were stiff-necked and would not listen or respond to discipline.

James 1:19 NIV My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

Isaiah 30:21 NIV Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it.

Proverbs 1:5 NIV Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.

Proverbs 2:2 TPT So train your heart to listen when I speak and open your spirit wide to expand your discernment— then pass it on to your sons and daughters.

Proverbs 19:20 NASB Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.

John 16:12-15 GNT I have much more to tell you, but now it would be too much for you to bear. When, however, the Spirit comes, who reveals the truth about God, he will lead you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own authority, but he will speak of what he hears and will tell you of things to come. He will give me glory, because he will take what I say and tell it to you. All that my Father has is mine; that is why I said that the Spirit will take what I give him and tell it to you.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NIV This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.

Luke 11:28 NIV Jesus replied, Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.

Matthew 7:24-25 NIV Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

John 15:4-5 NASB Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

1 Kings 19:12 NIV After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Psalms 49:1-3 NLT Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world! High and low, rich and poor—listen! For my words are wise, and my thoughts are filled with insight.

Matthew 11:15 NLT Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

Proverbs 23:12 NLT Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.