I am not always a good listener, and sometimes I miss things I need to hear. I like my information fast. Slow talkers and slow internet speed are real challenges to me. I’d describe myself as a “fast listener.” I tend to stop listening because I think I know what you will say. So why bother listening, right?

Well, in retrospect, that is really quite foolish, isn’t it? Thinking I know it all. I am not telling you this because I am proud of it. I am telling you this because I don’t want you to make the same mistake.

A wise man once said, “Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” (Proverbs 18:13). Wise indeed. Not listening causes all kinds of misunderstandings and disagreements. But even more than that, not listening can also have eternal consequences.

God has been speaking to me about “hearing” lately. When Jesus wanted His followers to really listen to what He was about to say, he’d tell them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” My guess is that you have ears, so listen up.

WHEN WE LISTEN WE LIVE

I can think of a lot of important things we should listen to throughout our lives: advice from our parents, wisdom from those who have traveled the road before us, and at least one get up on your feet and DANCE, DANCE, BABY melody. But the most critical thing we can ever, ever hear, the one thing we cannot live without, is the Word of God. The Word of God changes us from the inside out. The Word of God saves us from ourselves and from Hell.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

Faith is non-negotiable. Faith in Jesus is the only way we can be saved. And to get that saving kind of faith, we gotta first hear the message about Jesus.

So faith comes from hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ. Hebrews 11:1 

We need faith to trust God for eternal salvation, but we also need faith to live the kind of life Jesus died for us to live. He said He came to give us life and life more abundantly.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

God wants us to trust Him. He wants us to believe Him and His promises. For that kind of life, we need faith. And faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

He who has ears to hear let him hear this: We should listen to the Word of God like our life depends on it because it does, both our eternal life and our life here and now.

WHEN WE LISTEN WE LOVE

We are called to love others and to love them well (John 13:34). Listening communicates that we care about a person enough to stop what we are doing and hear what they have to say. When we don’t listen, we show disrespect for the other person in the conversation. Not listening sends the message that we just don’t care.

For me, sometimes I “forget” to listen to my family. I don’t know if it is familiarity, distraction, or indifference…but whatever it is, God has impressed on me that when I do this, I make them feel unloved and discounted. He reminded me that when I listen, I love.

This same principle can be applied to our relationship with Jesus. When Jesus showed Himself in all His glory on the Mount of Transfiguration, God said to Peter and John, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” (Mark 9:7). Did you hear that? God told us to listen to Jesus.

The question I pose is this: Do you have ears to hear what Jesus says to you? Do you stop what you are doing and listen to His Word, His directions? Or are you distracted or indifferent to His teachings? Remember when you listen, you love.

But there is more to it. Jesus tells us that listening isn’t enough. He said, my family is those who hear the Word of God and do it. Luke 8:21 He also said, “if you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15 He is pretty straightforward. We are to hear and do, hear and do.

I like what James has to say about hearing and doing:

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. James 1:23-24 

You wouldn’t look in the mirror, see that you have food on your chin, walk away, and do nothing about it, would you? No, I don’t think so. You’d wipe it off.

Then why would you read the Word of God, see that you are breaking one of Jesus’ commandments, and then walk away and do nothing about it?

He who has ears to hear let him hear this: if you love Jesus, show Him you love Him by listening to Him and obeying His commands.

WHEN WE LISTEN WE ARE BLESSED

When we listen, we gain wisdom. Proverbs 2:2, 19:20 When we have wisdom we can navigate through life, avoiding misunderstandings and disagreements.

When we listen, we find safety and security, without fear of evil. Proverbs 1:33 God rescues those who love Him. He protects those who trust in His name. Psalm 91:14

We lead others to Jesus and not away from Him when we listen. Proverbs 10:17 We are never to be a stumbling block to another believer (Romans 14:13). When we listen and obey Jesus’ commands, we will lead people to Jesus, not away from Him.

When we listen, we will prosper. Proverbs 16:20 God blesses those who listen to Him spiritually and physically. Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28

So there you have it.

God, I hear you loud and clear.

The wise man Solomon was right. I’d be a fool not to listen to the Word of God and an even bigger fool not to do what it says.

When we don’t listen to the Word, we forfeit the kind of life Jesus died for us to live, and even bigger yet; we fail to show love for our Lord and Savior, the One who gave it ALL. That breaks my heart. Does it break yours?

Lord, some days I am a bigger fool than other days, but every day I am thankful that Your mercies start over. Great is Your faithfulness! (Lamentation 3:22-23). Lord, will you open my ears to hear what you have to say and help slow my quick listening so I can really hear your Word and Your Truth. But Lord, don’t leave me there. Please help me be not merely a hearer of your Word but a doer of your word too. Thank you for your Son, In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

He who has ears to hear let him hear this: Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22