A Listening Heart

 

 

Listen like a child

 

We don’t have to be brainiacs to grow in the Lord or to understand Him… we have to be skillful hearers

 

Matt. 11:15 amp He who has ears to hear, let him be listening (tuned to God’s frequency) and let him consider and [a]perceive and comprehend by hearing.

 

According to the dictionary, hearing is defined as “the process, function or power of perceiving a sound.”

On the other hand, the same dictionary defines listening as “to hear something with thoughtful attention.”

In their definitions alone, it’s clear to see the big difference between the two. Hearing is passive — you can’t close your ears, so sounds will enter and be heard. This makes it involuntary. Listening requires attention, meaning it’s active.

(university of  the people)

Prov. 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.[a]

 

Without the Spirit guiding us we cannot understand what God is saying.

 

1Cor 2:14  niv The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

 

So many times in my life I’ve heard the Lord accurately and then translated what He says into what I think He means… based on my experiences, logic, common sense, emotions, baggage, etc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active Listening:

listen with the intention to understand

Ps.103:18 ampc To such as keep His covenant [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it] and to those who [earnestly] remember His commandments to do them [imprinting them on their hearts].

use interruptions sparingly

James 1:19 tpt My dearest brothers and sisters, take this to heart: Be quick to listen,[a] but slow to speak. And be slow to become angry,

process what you’ve heard

Josh. 1:8 niv

  • Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
  • Meditate: 
  • The first (hagah ) literally means “to utter in a low sound.” The word is used to denote the growling of a lion (Isaiah 31:4 ) or the cooing of a dove (Isaiah 38:14 ). Therefore it has been suggested that, in ancient Hebrew meditation, Scripture frequently was recited in a low murmur. The second root word (siach ) has the basic meaning of “to be occupied with,” or “concerned about.” Thus meditation is the repetitious going over of a matter in one's mind because it is the chief concern of life. The constant recollection of God's past deeds by the hearing of Scripture and repetition of thought produce confidence in God (Psalm 104:34 ; Psalm 119:15 ,Psalms 119:15,119:23 ,Psalms

Ponder:

think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply

 

ponder definition: 1. to think carefully about something, especially for a noticeable length of time: 2. to think

 

Part of successful hearing is an action that follows

Ps 103:18 again

 

repeat back

 

Isaiah 63:7

I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us-- yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.

 

Converse with the Lord about the things He’s showing you. Ask Him ‘what else, Lord’  ‘is there anything else You want me to know’ ‘open my understanding so i can fully grasp what You are saying to me’