Being in listening mode. . . .

We took my dad for a hearing test. Mom said to the doctor, “Sometimes I say something and he seems to not have heard what I said.” Dad turned to the doctor with a twinkle in his eye and said, “Don’t you do that to your wife too?”

We chuckle at that, but there are times when spouses want to use a brick to the head when ignored, especially if the communication is vital.

It works concerning the voice of God as well. He says, “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (James 1:18) and “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) But the question is if hearing the Word produces faith, how come not everyone who hears it is saved?

John Piper and many others would say that God’s ‘brick to the head’ is the gift of faith given through grace. He imparts new life and in that instant the ability to hear is also given.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:1–10)

While these verses only imply the way grace provides both faith and the saving knowledge of Christ, this idea of both being given at the same time explains why many theologians say that the gospel message given to us from God is irresistible. We not only hear it but are given ears to hear at the same time.

The downside is like my dad’s joking remark to the doctor — that those to whom God speaks can be in a ‘I’m not listening’ mode. Pharaoh prior to the Exodus was like that. The Bible says he hardened his heart, a very similar description of someone who refuses to listen. I do it when someone says something I don’t want to hear. It could be bad language, a coarse joke, or even a request that I’ve no intention of answering. It might go around inside my head, but without a response, whoever spoke might as well not have said it.

If I do that with God, my spiritual life takes a nosedive into deafness and even darkness. Because Jesus promised to save me from sin, He will take measures to turn on the lights and turn up the volume. He has ways of communicating that do not involve words, such as circumstances or the actions of others. As He ‘speaks’ through whatever communication method He chooses, He makes me realize that my bad attitude is no joke. If I don’t listen to Him, I will listen to my own ideas, or the world’s ways, or the devil’s lies. It does not take long to experience the folly of being deaf to God.

Faith does come by hearing. The more I listen, the more my response to life and its quirks and foibles is trusting God with everything. Besides, unlike the noisy chatter that might be happening all around me, God never says anything useless or inane. His words are life-giving, inspiring, helpful, and a great blessing.

Some families play “I spy God” and share what they see Him doing. Another interesting activity is “I hear God” and sharing what He is saying to us, including what He is asking us to do!

PRAY: Jesus, as I meet with prayer partners today, remind me to share with them the answers to both questions and ask them to do the same. We are learning to be better listeners and also excited to hear You speak to us. Thank You.