Hearing But Not Listening

Consider the following thought for a minute.  What do you think communication gaps stem from?  Personally, I think the reason that some people run into communication problems may encompass the habit of hearing but not listening.

Another thought, they may need to just turn up their hearing aids.  But wait, they may be turned down on purpose, because of the round-the-clock bombardment of exhausting words they hear.

It is certainly probable, in my opinion, that mental insecurities may be associated with listening or lack thereof.  Two valid questions are these.  What about the communication gap that people have with God?  Could it be the same thing, hearing but not listening or not hearing at all?

Perhaps the lack of listening, which follows hearing, is more prevalent than one would believe or suppose because of the effort it takes to hear God’s quiet, still voice.  The conveying of words cannot be one-sided. 

To improve on better communication requires being a good listener, but it takes a “want to listen” attitude to discipline oneself and be willing to break old habits of tuning people out, whereas in this scenario, tuning God out.  It makes sense to me that people should not always be the ones talking.

I’ve watched people stick their index fingers in both ears when they’ve heard enough from another party to get the point across that enough is enough.  It is so easy to carry this type of action over to the spiritual realm when God is trying to get our attention.

Many people tune God out.  We need to train our spiritual ears to hear His voice when He speaks.  The first, and foremost step is an important one.  This process of training is difficult at times, because it takes control to stop talking long enough to not only hear, but to listen.

I believe the best choice is to say nothing when God is talking.  The proverb “Silence is golden” says it quite well in just three words.  The goal to rid ourselves of the communication gap between us and God is attainable.  To listen closely for God’s still, small voice requires a quiet environment to hear Him.

(1 Kings 19:11-12), “Then He said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’  And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;” (vs 12) “and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still, small voice.”

When we discipline ourselves and refuse to be mentally brainwashed and blindsided with spiritual abuse via the vulgar nonsense on television and paying good money to watch and listen to Hollywood’s declining rhetoric and filth at movie theaters is like removing thickened wax from one’s ears to recognize and know the voice of God.

(John 10:27-28), “My sheep hear My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.” (vs 28) “And I give them eternal life; and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand.”

The realization of “garbage in garbage out” and recognizing its subliminal effects is a huge step in the right direction of disciplining ourselves to not allow our spirit to consume things that can influence us negatively.  Doing something to prevent bad stimuli is a must. 

Accepting the statuesque of things, while thinking, “I’m strong enough, it won’t affect me” Is a deception from the enemy of our soul.  It is possible that this kind of justification may end up being a stumbling block when walking with the Lord. 

As my father-in-law would say, “We can justify anything, but it doesn’t make it right.”  Yielding to devilish things vs. listening to God to resist those things are opposites.  Good and evil, God and Satan do not mix.  They are like oil and water.

A friend of mine was having real problems with his hearing and believed it was the result of aging.  It was getting so bad he felt embarrassed to ask people to repeat what they were saying.

After some encouragement, he finally gave into his better judgement and made an appointment with an Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist.  The doctor saw the problem right away.  He removed a large buildup of wax from both eardrums.

My friend said that when he left the doctor’s office, he could hear the sweetness of birds singing and the wind rustling through the leaves in trees.  He was amazed at what he had been missing out on prior to visiting the doctor.

The same is true when we open our ears to what the Holy Spirit is whispering to us.  We miss out on so much of God and the blessings He wants us to enjoy, because subconsciously some people refuse to listen with their spiritual ears to hear His voice.

I think they may be afraid to hear and listen for fear that God might ask them to give up something that they don’t want to give up, or to do this or that, because they feel inadequate to do it. 

People play the “I can’t hear You!” game with God.  But they are not fooling Him, whatsoever.  He doesn’t force Himself on anyone.  It is up to the individual as to how much of God they want to be exposed to and depth of involvement they want to pursue.

Holding onto God with one hand and the world with the other is not wise.  It might be spiritual suicide, but that’s between them and God.  God’s grace is without measure and His mercy is coupled with love everlasting—without end.  I used to sing a song entitled, “His grace is sufficient.”  I found this to be true in all areas of my life.

(James 4:8), “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…” 

Ears hear different frequencies and some frequencies not at all.  Through practice, and disciplining what enters the ear gate, the practicality of finding the frequency of God’s voice is 100% foolproof.  He is always ready to have a wonderful, one-on-one conversation and relationship with us.  Again, we need to listen and not do all the talking.

I would be remiss if I failed to encourage you to hide Bible scriptures away in your heart through memorization.  God absolutely speaks directly to our soul through His word.

(Psalm 119:11), “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”

(Psalm 119:105), “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

When I was a young boy, I learned a few Bible verses while attending Sunday School at a local church.  The teacher rewarded the children that memorized certain scriptures with prizes.  Toys and money were great incentives.

Before I became a born-again Believer as an adult, I searched for peace and the meaning of life.  One day when I was praying to God for help, one of those scriptures came flooding back.  It helped me make the decision to become a Christian. 

The scripture came alive and touched me deeply at a time I needed it most.  God spoke to me through His word.  God was at the bottom of my list of desires.  I was putting the things of the world before Him, but He made me aware of this with the following scripture.  My life changed when I put God first above all things.

(Matthew 6:33), “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Can you hear that?  Can you hear the sound?  It’s adventure calling.  God bless you!

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd