Who Are You Listening To? (Part 1)

The voices are many.  Everywhere we turn people and things are vying for our attention.  The electronic age of instant communication, information, and entertainment has a firm grip on our attention and many find themselves listening to the voices of the world rather than the voice of God.  God has been communicating and speaking with His people since the beginning of creation. In the Old Testament He spoke through prophets, kings, and certain individuals.  In the New Testament God communicates with us through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  The issue isn't whether or not God is speaking, the issue is are we listening?  Our ears are tuned to whatever holds our heart and minds.  If this world is our main focus, we will hear its messages.  However, if our hearts are set on Christ, we will take time to quietly listen for His guidance and instruction.  The sad thing is many people have never learned to discern His voice.  In this post I want to share with you ten (10) reasons why people don't listen to God.

1.  They Don't Have A Relationship With Him

As I have said in the past it's all about relationship. Being a Christian isn't about a list of do's and don't's.  It's about having a relationship with God the Father and with His Son Jesus.  When Christ is the most important relationship we have we will listen and give attention to Him because we listen and give attention to those things or people we care most about.

2.  They Don't Expect The Lord To Speak To Them

If we don't expect God to speak to us, then it's unlikely we will ever hear Him when He does. God wants to speak to you.  In fact it would be inconsistent with His character not to since He desires to guide us throughout our lives.

3.  The Message Of The World Drowns Out God's Voice

The world is pulling at us from every direction!  In fact, we are surrounded by a cacophony of noise that can draw our attention away from what we hold dear.  Events are happening all around us and it is impossible to “pay attention” to everything.  In fact the din almost makes it impossible to pay attention to what is important to us, and that should be God's voice.  To solve this problem, we must reject the ways and voices of the world and seek to know what is going on in the mind of God.

4.  People Are Too Busy

Busyness defines our culture.  We have so many things to do that God gets pushed to the end of the list.  We must find time for God because if we don't spend time with the Lord, we will never be tuned to His voice.

5.  They May Fear The Message

Fear is the opposite of faith.  When we aren't acting in faith it's often because we are afraid to hear what the Lord has to say to us.  We fear He may ask of us something we don't want to do.  God will never ask more of us more than what we are able to handle.  Through His grace and power we can do whatever He asks.

6.  A Poor Self Image Causes Them To Doubt That God Would Speak To Them

It's unfortunate, but people who struggle with self esteem issues don't realize how precious they are in God's eyes and how much He desires to communicate with them.  It's time we realize who we are in Christ and what we can do through Him.

7.  They Have Neglected Reading And Meditating On The Bible

If you ever want to be able to hear God's voice then you cannot neglect His Word.  Ignoring the Scriptures increases worldly thinking while decreasing a desire to hear from the Lord through His Word.

8.  Some People Have A Rebellious Spirit

Some simply do not listen to God, because they have rebellion in their heart.  They try to satisfy the emptiness in their souls with the pleasures of sin rather than God.  And we know that the pleasures of sin are only for a season (Hebrews 11:25), but the pleasures of God for an eternity (Psalm 16:11)!

9.  They Are Deceived By The Sounds Of The World

Often times people don't listen to God because they have their hearts and minds so tuned to what the world offers that they have no interest in hearing from the Lord.  You can't listen to both the world and God.  One must take preeminence.

10.  Sin Has Prevented Them From Hearing God

Sin is always an obstacle to clearly hearing the voice of God.  Anytime believers harbor sin in their lives, it blocks their spiritual ability to hear from God.

Don't allow any of these reasons to be present in your life.  God wants to communicate with you. Are you ready to allow Him to speak with you?

-- Pastor Temple