by David Brenneman
How well we listen when being spoken to directly impacts our circumstances.
If we are claiming the Name above all names, the Name of Jesus Christ, as our personal Lord and Savior, listening first before speaking, or doing, ought to become our highest priority.
We must start with listening in order to begin trusting. The statement "actions speak louder than words" is in error to the Word of God.
"This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." James 1:19-22.
We might also be remembering that very valuable statement "you were given two ears and one mouth to listen twice as much as you speak".
To go further, those who listened to Jesus were those who's eyes were opened, even if for a little while.
Those whom trusted in Jesus began by hearing Jesus speak.
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Romans 10:17.
Much is right there in the Scriptures on the high value of listening and its impact on circumstances.
The children of Israel in the wilderness...look at the cause and effect of their listening and their circumstances. Laying claim to listening then a short while later are flagrantly disobeying the Lord.
Look at Chapter 11 of Hebrews. Those who listened and believed also trusted with all their hearts and were richly rewarded in Christ both then and what was to come.
Listening certainly implies shutting up. Our simple brains cannot accurately input and output at the same time.
If we truly live out "Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight" as Proverbs 3:5-6 say...then it begins with listening...then the circumstances are adjusted accordingly by God.
When we start letting our words get in the way of God talking to us then we WILL miss the things He is saying to us.
Our words have an eternal weight, did you know that?
Part of that account we will give before Jesus is not just our actions done for Him but the words we spoke. Of how we listened and obeyed. All that we did that wasn't in obedience to Jesus and our reason for being in this world--which is to point people to Jesus--will be burned up. Laid waste...and accompanied by profound embarrassment in all likelihood.
Would you speak as you do, even listen as you do, if Jesus were physically right there with you?
Life Principle 18 says: as Children of a sovereign God, we are not victims of our circumstances.
We aren't victims of the situations we find ourselves in but we can be in error and contribute to ill circumstances by not listening and doing accordingly.
You don't pay attention and a Police Officer is monitoring, you'll likely get a ticket. You stay aware of your surroundings and you obey the speed limit and you avoid such things.
A very large part of the passage from Proverbs where it says to bring up a child in the way they should go and they will not depart from it BEGINS with their listening to instruction.
You learn from the Spirit by listening to instruction.
You learn to have a fruitful relationship by listening.
You, in these examples and still others, directly impact your circumstances by listening.
So listen first and if you must then speak.
"The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin." Proverbs 13:3.
"Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23.
Seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness begins with listening.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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