Are You Really Listening?
JUNE 16, 2020
DAILY PROVERBS:
Proverbs 15:5-8 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:
Just as important as it is for us to use the proper words and tone of voice when talking with someone, it’s also important to be a careful listener. I’ve seen children, and some adults, put their fingers in their ears and go “lalala, lalala,” while someone is talking. As if to visibly, and audibly tell them, “I’m not listening.” Sometimes adults will be a bit more subtle. While a person is talking to us, we’re looking everywhere but at them, as if to say, “What you’re saying is not important.” Yet another poor listening skill is to only partially listening to what a person has to say. As someone shares something meaning one thing, we hear only parts of it, then fill in the blanks and twist it in our minds to remember something completely different. Then when we don’t seem to understand one another we wonder why.
It’s so important to have not only good speaking skills, but good listening skills as well. When people come to share their heart, we need to hear more than words. They may be looking for someone to trust, and confide in, and all we see is someone doing a lot of talking. It might be God brought them to you, and needs you to listen, and help. Then again, it may be that God has brought this brother, or sister in Christ around to help you in an area in which you are struggling. Instead of accepting their gesture with love, we get defensive of our private struggles. In our verses, it says if we’ll listen, fathers give instruction, and “The lips of the wise disperse knowledge.”
Today’s verses also tell us God loves to listen to us. It says; “the prayer of the upright is his delight.” He is listening to every word, and enjoying the time spent with just you.
Listening, just like reading and writing, is a skill that needs to be developed. Are you listening to your own heart right now?
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:
How can we practice listening? Experts say if you’re not sure of someone’s statement, repeat it back to them in the form of a question. Let’s listen to God, and when in doubt, ask Him.
GOD TALKING TO ME: JUNE 16, 2020
THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
Job 37 – 42 / Proverbs 15:5-8
THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Chron. 17-19 / John 20
Living In His Word Ministries
“Getting people into the Word of God…
… and the Word of God into people.”
Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12