The Rocky Mountains of Colorado are home to intriguing wildlife including elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, pronghorn antelope, black bears, and mountain lions. Another is the mule deer, so named for its exceptionally large ears that feature a unique cupped structure optimized for collecting sound. Their ears can be independently rotated almost 180 degrees, helping them pinpoint a sound’s origin. They are really good at listening and identifying what they hear.
Last week’s post ended with a quote from Jesus, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). God intends for us to live in close relationship with Him, listening for His voice. His words are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63). He wants to provide us with encouragement, direction, and wisdom for daily living. He also desires to use us in the lives of others. But far too many believers, unlike the mule deer, either aren’t listening or are dull of hearing.
Jesus concluded multiple parables in the gospels saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Most didn’t comprehend or benefit from what He taught because, as He observed, their hearts were so dull and “with their ears they scarcely hear” (Matthew 13:15). The author of the book of Hebrews pointed out his audience was also dull of hearing, adding “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the actual words of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food” (Hebrews 5:11-12). How many Christians fit that description? Saved for decades but basically still lounging in diapers—no more mature than when they were born again!
Let’s not be like that! Instead, let’s consider a few ways to sharpen our hearing, becoming more sensitive to God’s voice while filtering out competing voices of the world, the flesh, and the devil.
1. Spend time in God’s Word. This is the foundation for all hearing from God and becoming spiritually minded. And read it with Jesus’s finished work in mind–always remembering the free gift of righteousness you have received and God’s unending love for you. What is He speaking to you through His Word?
2. Keep a listening journal. When you believe God has spoken to you, write it down, make sure it lines up with His good and loving nature, then act on it. This may require taking a step of faith but it will never lead you into works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). After acting a number of times on what you hear and writing down the results, you’ll start to discern God’s voice from the devil’s or your own.
3. Finally, test your hearing accuracy with other seasoned believers. Form a group of “listening buddies” and meet in person, or online, to share what you heard that week and to learn from their experience as well. Together you can sharpen your hearing skills and encourage each other in the process!
Hearing God is a skill we can develop and grow by making it our top priority to spend some time each day simply listening. Over time, we’ll be surprised and blessed by the many things God wants to share with us.
Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know (Jeremiah 33:3).
