Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Hearing is essential. Or is it only meaningful when there is something we want to hear? Paul warned Timothy: For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 2 Timothy 4:3 (NLT)

Even if we desire to hear from God and receive direction, it is not easy to separate truth from the noise surrounding us today. God often speaks quietly. Considering the noise around us, we need to learn how to be quiet and position ourselves to hear from God. And that is not easy.

These voices competing for attention, along with all the background noise, will not go away. We need to understand how we can discern not only the voice of God but other voices of importance as well.

Filters

Filters are everywhere. Cars have oil filters and air filters. In our homes, we have furnace filters and water filters. Filters remove impurities and offer protection. Eyeglasses have UV filters. When appropriately used, filters are of great benefit.

There is another kind of filter that is more illustrative for our application of hearing. Electronic equipment such as radios may employ a variety of filters to enhance the acoustic quality. When used correctly, they make things sound better, but vital sounds may be missing if misused.

In spiritual affairs, our primary filter is the Bible. We think of the Bereans (Acts 17:11) who search the Scriptures to verify the teachings of the apostle Paul. The Holy Spirit is also a reliable filter in discerning between the noise and the actual message. Quietness and getting alone with God in prayer is also an essential filter for Christ-followers.

Jesus said: The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 (AMP)

Selective hearing

The Urban Dictionary defines selective hearing as: “The ability that humans have, especially males, to hear selectively only what serves their interests, being conveniently deaf to what they don’t like or can use.” Simply stated, I am more likely to hear my wife call me for dinner than I am if she asks me to take out the garbage.

We might be inclined to think that selective hearing is just another filter, but even though the message is coming through, the hearer chooses to ignore it. We cannot blame the noise or competing voices. It is more a case of willful indifference. We can also have selective hearing when it comes to God.

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! James 1:22 (The Message)

Could it be that we pretend (or have been conditioned) not to hear so that we can avoid the invitation to action?

Seeing or Hearing?

A quick search of the Internet reveals an ongoing debate about whether seeing or hearing is the most crucial sense. Both points of view have good arguments, and frankly, most of us like seeing and hearing. We do not want to have to choose between the two.

From a spiritual standpoint, two texts come to mind: For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) and So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ. Romans 10:17 (CSB)

It is the Word (Psalm 119:105) that illuminates our path enabling us to see. Seeing is important. We do not want to stumble around in the dark, but we do not know which way to go without the Word to guide us. For Christ-followers, hearing (and faith) must come before seeing.

Other Voices We Must Hear

If you stop your ears to the cries of the poor, your cries will go unheard, unanswered. Proverbs 21:13 (The Message)

Our survey on “What Do You Hear?” would not be complete without examining other voices that we must listen to and respond to as followers of Christ. We like to speak of grace and God’s “unmerited favor,” but we do not have to look far to see that God is placing demands upon us.

Indeed, we are saved by grace, but that does not mean we do not have responsibilities. We delight in forgiveness, but God’s forgiveness to us is conditional upon us forgiving others (Matthew 6:14-15). I know that this will make some people uncomfortable, but Jesus said it. How many people seem to be stuck in place, not making any spiritual progress, because they failed to forgive others?

Likewise, if we wonder why our cries for help have not been answered, the first place we must look is whether we have had “selective hearing” or other filters in place that have prevented us from hearing the cries of the poor and those in need. An adaptation of Matthew 25:40 might be: “I tell you the truth when you listened to (heard and responded) to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you listened to me.”

Active Hearing

But they refused to pay attention. They turned a cold shoulder and stopped listening. Zechariah 7:11 (CEB)

The Scriptures warn us about the dangers of allowing our hearts to become hardened, but I think that a case could be crafted that a refusal to listen to the voices that matter is a precursor to an inflexible heart. It is by actively listening and doing that we will be useful servants for the master. Listen carefully!

…after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:12 (NIV)

Steve Ekeroth

Photo by  Karolina Grabowska  from Pexels