Learn to Listen

May 11, 2020

Are you a good listener? 

As children of God, we are taught to listen. We learn to listen to each other and listen to the voice of God in our lives. 

The Bible says:

 

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

-James 1:19-20 (NKJV)

 

You and I are encouraged to be slow to speak, but quick to listen. What does this mean? It simply means that we should always think first before opening our mouths and that we should be ready to listen at all times. 

God is always ready to listen to us. Throughout the Bible, we are reminded of God’s constant eagerness to listen to His children.

 

In my distress I called upon the Lord,

And cried out to my God;

He heard my voice from His temple,

And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.

-Psalm 18:6 (NKJV)

 

I love the Lord, because He has heard

My voice and my supplications.

Because He has inclined His ear to me,

Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

-Psalm 116:1-2 (NKJV)

 

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 

-Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NKJV)

 

As with most things, God has set His example for us to follow. Listening is something that is so basic but is often so neglected in our daily lives. Because of our busy schedules and the amount of work we have to do, we do not really pay as much attention to listening as we should. And even when we listen, sometimes, what we hear goes in one ear, and out the other. 

Let us make an effort to improve our way of listening to each other. Listening is a way of showing love and concern for the other person, just as God shows His immense love in listening to us. When we learn to properly and sincerely listen to each other, we improve our interpersonal relationships and shape our lives for the better.