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Christianity is a relationship with God. A good relationship has great conversation—and the best conversation includes more listening than talking.
Jesus affirms our listening posture with God when He says. . .
Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more (Mark 4:24, NLT).
Praying involves asking for almost everything, but our asking should be rooted in listening. Jesus continues his conversation with the disciples about listening . . .
To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them (Mark 4:25).
There is a cause and effect in listening to God—the more we listen, the more we learn, but the less we listen, the more we forget. We want to listen, but do we really want to hear God and grow from our conversations with Him?
Three steps are needed.
First: Be receptive.
Jesus said . . .
For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand (Matthew 13:13).
When I approach God for His wisdom, I always ask myself, “Do I really want to hear God?” I do, and I don’t want God to speak to me. Often, when God speaks, there is a price—either repentance of an attitude or relinquishment of an action or desire.
Second: Take the step of faith.
Paul writes . . .
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17, NKJV).
There is a principle of hearing then doing in the Bible that increases faith. If we shrink from our assignments, our faith will diminish, and the voice of God will decrease. Hearing, obeying with increasing faith, and accompanying sacrifices for righteousness are difficult.
We can become like the rich young ruler who was asked by Jesus to sell his possessions. His response . . .
He was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions (Mark 10:22).
Third: Seek wisdom.
Wisdom is equal parts hearing God and right decision-making based on the voice of God. The wisest people that we encounter are often the most reduced in terms of worldly influence and esteem.
But their joy is incredible.
In the end times, a spirit of confusion can dominate our lives and influence our decisions. We’ll be blessed when we hear, obey, and gain wisdom for this age.
Let’s pray, “God, please talk. I’m listening!”