Listening
Listening is an often overlooked part of the communication process. So often our goal in communication is to get our point across. We want to speak our mind and say our piece. But throughout scripture, the believer is reminded of the importance of listening. Proverbs 12:15 informs us that the one who listens to counsel is wise. Jesus would frequently tell his audience, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” James says, “Be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger” (James 1:19).
Luke 8:18 highlights the importance of listening. There, Jesus had just shared the parable of the four soils with the crowd that was gathered. He then gives his disciples the interpretation of the parable. In Luke 8:15 he concludes that the good soil represents those who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. Jesus goes on to encourage us to be careful how we listen.
Listening has a bearing on enlightenment. Listening is not just a matter of the ears, it is a matter of the heart. When you listen with a receptive heart there are things that God shows you and keeps showing you because you are listening with obedient ears. Jesus tells us to take care how we listen. Which leads to the question, “How should we listen?”
We must listen to understand. This requires humility. It requires withholding judgment and getting clarity. When we listen to judge, we stop listening once we hear something that we disagree with. But if we get an understanding before we respond, we can avoid miscommunication. It also requires valuing what others have to say, so that we hear them out without interruption.
We should listen to obey. Listen with the Judgment in mind. The word of God calls us to action. We should be willing to do something with what we hear.
We should listen to correct. Whenever we hear the word of God, we should listen with an eye towards self-correction and not correcting others. Scripture is a mirror through which we can see ourselves as we really are, and make the necessary adjustments (James 1:22-25).
Listen to minister. We should hear the concerns of others. Having heard their concerns, when we hear a verse or a message that addresses their concern, we share it with the person. And as we minister to others, God blesses us to grow in knowledge and application of the Word.
Luke 8:18 highlights the importance of listening. There, Jesus had just shared the parable of the four soils with the crowd that was gathered. He then gives his disciples the interpretation of the parable. In Luke 8:15 he concludes that the good soil represents those who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. Jesus goes on to encourage us to be careful how we listen.
Listening has a bearing on enlightenment. Listening is not just a matter of the ears, it is a matter of the heart. When you listen with a receptive heart there are things that God shows you and keeps showing you because you are listening with obedient ears. Jesus tells us to take care how we listen. Which leads to the question, “How should we listen?”
We must listen to understand. This requires humility. It requires withholding judgment and getting clarity. When we listen to judge, we stop listening once we hear something that we disagree with. But if we get an understanding before we respond, we can avoid miscommunication. It also requires valuing what others have to say, so that we hear them out without interruption.
We should listen to obey. Listen with the Judgment in mind. The word of God calls us to action. We should be willing to do something with what we hear.
We should listen to correct. Whenever we hear the word of God, we should listen with an eye towards self-correction and not correcting others. Scripture is a mirror through which we can see ourselves as we really are, and make the necessary adjustments (James 1:22-25).
Listen to minister. We should hear the concerns of others. Having heard their concerns, when we hear a verse or a message that addresses their concern, we share it with the person. And as we minister to others, God blesses us to grow in knowledge and application of the Word.
