What God Says About Listening

One of the things I look forward to in heaven is audibly hearing God’s voice. Will it be deep with a rich timbre or soft and gentle like a flowing stream? While we can’t hear God’s physical voice on earth, He does communicate with us through His Holy Word. By His Spirit, God speaks to our hearts.

In Psalm 46:10, He says “Be still and know that I am God.” It’s during that stillness before the Lord that we wait to hear His message to us. But we should know that our response is required when He speaks — Scripture says there’s a link between the strength of our faith and our listening skills.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” – Matthew 7:24

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” – Romans 10:17

According to the context of these verses, our faith may become void or lethargic because we’re hearing the Word but not acting on it. As Christ-followers, we’re called not only to listen to the Word of God but to press into it.

At the transfiguration of Jesus (Matt. 17:1–7), God the Father spoke these words from heaven: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” What an admonition! How can we do anything less than trust and obey when Jesus speaks? If we want our faith to be strong, if we want to possess God’s wisdom, then we need to actively listen to what He says.

Being an active listener takes dedicated time, effort, and energy. So, how can we develop the listening skills God intends for us to possess?

Realize listening is a spiritual discipline.

In the Old Testament, the Lord repeatedly commanded the Israelites to hearken to His instructions. The New Testament contains similar precepts, and we’re warned of the consequences if we hold a deaf ear to God’s Word:

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it — not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it — they will be blessed in what they do.” – James 1:22–25

If we want to demonstrate our love for the Lord and experience His blessings in our lives, we first need to listen to what He says through Scripture and then obey. We should also listen to the counsel of wise men and women, refraining from speaking quickly or succumbing to bouts of sudden anger.

“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” – Proverbs 12:15

“To answer before listening — that is folly and shame.” – Proverbs 18:13

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” – James 1:19

When we’re filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit, we’ll exhibit more Christ-like behavior in our interactions with others. We’ll also be able to intentionally minister to them as we listen to and act upon their needs.

Realize listening takes self-discipline.

Let’s be honest — our cell phones have become appendages. Do you ever feel discombobulated if you misplace your phone? I do. As a child of the 60s, I remember when most homes had only one phone. Our rotary desk telephone sat on a wooden phone stand (known as the gossip bench), with the telephone book on a shelf below.

Back in the day, communications were limited and consisted of a rare phone call or a letter in the mail. This resulted in fewer distractions and more family interaction. We did not set the desk phone on the kitchen table during dinner, waiting for it to ring. So, when you’re having a meaningful conversation with someone, let me encourage you to put your phone away.

Where is your cell phone during your devotional time with the Lord? I admit, I keep mine near me. I often use it to look up word definitions or other verses that help to expand the theme of the day. And yes, I do stray at times to read my email inbox or text messages. I catch myself and then purposely shift my gaze from looking down to looking up and out the window for a wide expanse of the heavens. This is when I can thoughtfully and prayerfully meditate upon the scripture I’ve just read.

We might preemptively charge our phones at the threat of a storm, but during the turbulent times of our lives, there’s no danger that the Lord will cut the wires or flatten the heavenly communication pole.

“In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.” – Psalm 18:6

When I reach out to God, He responds. Therefore, I should be more concerned with a straight-line connection with Him rather than an outside connection with the rest of the world.

Realize listening takes physical awareness.

Our environment and physical posture can affect how we listen to and understand people. When visiting with others, people often locate or create a space that’s conducive for mutual conversation. A trending activity is meeting at an intimate coffee shop.

For your devotional time, do you have a quiet, carved-out spot that allows you to focus on God’s Word? My place is a chair next to a door wall that allows natural light to seep into the space. I use a soft-glow lamp for dark winter mornings. My study aids, a journal and a pen, stay in this spot for ready access. After I read, I record verses and meditations in my journal to keep me connected. I also write out prayers for the day. This process helps me listen to God’s voice and to record a daily application.

When you are having a conversation with a friend, be mindful of your posture. Are you looking at the person you’re talking with face-to-face? Do you lean in with interest at what he or she is saying? Another way to stay engaged is to ask questions or rephrase something that was shared. There’s nothing more gratifying to a speaker than to receive a response from a listener. Amen? Amen!

How much more should we discipline ourselves to engage like this with the Lord? When we take the time to actively listen to God, He will continually draw us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him, and lead us into a life of incredible, lasting joy.

“Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.”
– 1 John 2:24