Week 5: Listening to the Spirit
Listen First and Twice
Week 5, Day 4
As we highlighted while listening to the Creator, God listened to Adam. He desired to engage in conversation with His people, and still does! James 1:19 (NIV) gives us a formula for listening. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
And our anatomy gives us another reminder for listening: How many ears do we have? ____ And how many mouths? _____
James’ recommendation applies to our communication with God and also with others. A wise missionary once phrased it this way as a reminder when meeting someone with whom you are studying the Bible: “You’ve got to let the other person empty their bucket. Listen to what they have to say and let them tell their story. Then you will know better how to respond to their doubts, answer their questions with Scripture, and know where they are coming from. How can you know where to begin the study if you don’t know where they are starting from?”
Proverbs 18:13 (ESV)
If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
Thoughts about listening first and twice when talking with others:
The same practice is true in our communication with God.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 (ESV)
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.
God is infinitely wise. His thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways are not our ways (Is. 55:8-9). What does it look like to listen first and twice in prayer?
As you pray today, listening first and twice, may your prayer be an echo of Christ’s prayer in the garden: “Not my will but yours be done” (Matt. 26:39). The Spirit will help you in this listening prayer. May we be slow to speak (James 1:19) and may our words be few (Eccl. 5:2).
Additional notes, thoughts, or drawings from listening to the Spirit:
We would love to hear from you! Please share with us what you are hearing and how you are growing in your devotion to listening.
This blog post is taken from the book Called to Listen: Forty Days of Devotion. To order a copy of this book, please visit our website and invite a friend to participate in the study with you. The book includes additional guides and questions to be reviewed in a small group context weekly.