Preachers talk all the time. When we are preaching, when we are teaching, when we are answering Biblical questions & when we are counseling.
But when do we listen?
WE NEED TO LISTEN TO THE WORD OF GOD?
Do you ever just sit and listen to God? (Psalm 46:10)
Do you listen to Him as He communicates through His creation? (Psalm 19:1)
WE NEED TO LISTEN TO OTHERS. There are so many people around us who desperately need and want to be heard.
Our wives and children need us to listen to them.
Our brothers and sisters in the Lord need us to listen to them. So, how should we listen?
LISTEN WITH OUR EARS. It is possible for us to hear words but the minute the conversation is completed we could not tell you one thing that was said.
LISTEN WITH OUR EYES. People need to know that they have our undivided attention. When I was doing my student preaching in college, a wonderful Christian sister taught me a valuable lesson.
She was talking and apparently, I was looking around, not focusing on what she was saying to me. She said, “Jeff, why don’t you look at me when I’m talking to you? Why are you looking everywhere else?” I never forgot her gracious wisdom.
LISTEN WITH OUR MINDS. Sometimes we may be listening with our ears and even our eyes, but our mind can be a million miles away. When we listen with our minds we will give helpful responses and suggestions to the person speaking.
LISTEN WITH OUR HEARTS. During His ministry, Jesus was always being moved with compassion for the people who followed Him. (Matthew 9:13; 14:14; 15:32; 20:24)
If we want to be like our Heavenly Father and our Savior we will learn to listen.
