In my article last August I wrote, “The nature of God’s call is such that each moment is not’ planned or programmed.” This underscores the importance of listening and listening from God.
One of the most difficult and at the same time essential disciplines is that of listening. We miss so much because we fail to listen. We are worried that our words will not be heard. We fear that our concerns will not be met. When we speak, we want others to listen. Our ego is on the line. We want quiet. However, we find it hard to give what we demand. School teaches us how to speak, but often faiths to teach the art of listening. After all, the prizes and honors go to the swift of mouth. We are told to speak up. It is a great “SIN” to be silent and withdrawn. Yet this is not what real listening involves. LISTENING IS ACTIVE. We actively place the words and needs of the other at the center of consciousness. This is anything but passive. Just try to let another talk without interjecting a word. It’s not easy!
Let us take into account that there can be no growth in the Lord if one is not willing to listen, to hear the Word of God. In the book of Deuteronomy 5, Moses summons all people in order to make known the covenant with the Lord. Moses tells the people:
“Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the rules that I speak in your hearing today, and you shall learn them and be careful to do them. Deuteronomy 5:1 ESV).
Deuteronomy 18:15-20, presents the enduring. Power of the prophetic office. The prophet is one who speaks God’s word:
18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. 19 And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. (Deuteronomy 18:18-19).
Listening must be done in critical way. For not everyone who comes in the name of the Lord deserves to be listened to. There are FALSE PROPHETS. Deuteronomy 18:20 clearly indicated that:
But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’
In the Gospel of Mark, the author contrasts false teachers and prophets with the One who comes in the name of God. The people recognize Jesus as One sent by God with “a completely new teaching in a spirit of authority! He gives orders to the unclean spirits and they obey him” (Mark 1:21-28). People for most part, are able to recognize those who are honestly proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. It is crucial that we listen to the message and carefully observe the actions of those who claim to be God-sent. Jesus re-minds us that “THEIR FRUITS” we shall know them.
Why do we find it so difficult to listen? No doubt much of our inattention comes from our being self-absorbed and self-concerned. However, from very clearly in our lives we come to believe that if we don’t hear what is being said we will not be held responsible. Not to hear is to be excused. How often does a child or student try to excuse misconduct with “I didn’t hear what you said.” We cannot be held accountable for that which we did not know. So it is with God. If we didn’t hear what God wanted, then we need not worry about the consequences. We are ignorant, so God will excuse us. NOT QUITE! When we fail to listen because of neglect or laziness, there is no excuse. This what Thomas Aquinas called vincible ignorance (culpable), as opposed to invincible (inculpable) ignorance.
Finally, genuine listening requires of us an attentive heart. That is, we must be ever ready to hear God’s word and put it into practice. Very often, however, we find ourselves like Martha – busy about many things. We can’t hear God’s word because we are “busy with the world’s demands.” Things must be kept in proper perspective. The attractions and anxieties of life must not dull our hearts or block our hearing of the Lord’s Word and if you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.
Listen!
Pastor Gideon
