It is sad but true, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand, they listen with the intent to reply” (Stephen R. Covey). The biggest problem with our ability to communicate with each other is the fact that most of us do not listen to understand what someone else is trying to say, we listen for the sole purpose of having a response.
“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 NIV).
Scripture tells us that we all should listen more and talk less. The reason we should listen more and talk less is that when we are talking we are not listening. By not listening, we tend to miss many revelations, those important little things that could take our understanding to another level. You see all things are important when it comes to the things of God, no matter how trivial they may appear to be. There is so much information to tell, so much information to share, and still so much more information to find. So much so that unless you get all the information at one time, a lot of it gets lost long before we can get to the next session. But we do not listen to hear, we listen with the intent to reply. Have you seen the evidence?
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (II Timothy 4:3-4).
In this present day, it is evident that the time has come where people do not listen to the truth. Because the price is too high and the sacrifice too great, people have little to no patience for getting the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding that comes from God. They are not be moved by true teachings but are moved by their own desires. They go around looking for teachers who will tell them what they want to hear. They have found a multitude of teachers to satisfy their own fancies. They do not listen to what the Bible says but will, without fear and reverence follow their own misguided ideas, obscured perceptions, distorted consciences, incomprehensible doctrines, and perplexing theories. They have turned away from listening to the truth and they follow foolish stories perpetrating as “revealed truth.” God tells us “that his people are destroyed because they lack knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). This lack of knowledge has not come from a shortage of knowledge but from our rejection of knowledge. Have you seen the evidence?
People often get upset when you teach them what is in the Bible rather than what they presume is in the Bible. However, the better we know the Bible, the better we can rely on it in times of stress. Sometimes we need to look at life from a different perspective. And in order to do that, we have to listen to others without reply. Sometime you just have to listen to everyone and learn from everyone because nobody knows everything but everyone knows something. None of us are perfect nor do we have a perfect understanding of all of the scriptures. So many of us are at different levels of understanding in our walk to discover the truth about the things of God that we should not discount anyone’s ability to help propel us to the next level or to give us a different perspective on things. But in order to do that, we have to learn to listen.
As we have said numerous times, words can be manipulated to say many things, so check out everything to make sure it is in line with the word of God. “Knowledge is power and misinformation will lead to your destruction,” but the truth will set you free (John 8:32). Remember God is our only source for revelation knowledge; all others are guides, leading us to some destination. We just need to make sure that the final destination is where we want to go. Explore the endless possibilities contained within your ability to listen and be quick to listen and slow to reply. “A person's most useful asset is not the head full of knowledge, but a heart full of love, an ear ready to listen and a hand willing to help” (Unknown).
Today’s inspirational message talks about “listening without reply.” As always, we pray that this commentary will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it. If blessed by this message please share so that others may be blessed as well. Amen.
Enjoy your blessings - KW
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