Listening
Many people have trouble with listening. This makes communication very difficult, because it is supposed to be a two way conversation. That is impossible, if both people are not listening to each other.
One reason that we fail to listen is that we are thinking about what we want to say next. Another reason for poor listening is that we are anticipating what the other person is going to say before it is said. Often, we guess wrong, so we are way off when we reply. Sometimes, we are just not paying attention because we are thinking about something other than what they are saying to us.
The same is true for listening to God. He does not speak to us in an audible voice very often, but He does speak to us in other clear ways. If we are not listening, we won't hear Him. If we don't hear Him, we can't obey. Therefore, sin is the inevitable result. Then, we get punished for our sin, instead of being blessed by our obedience. That is why listening to God is so vital.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Haggai 2 and Zechariah 1-2.
One reason that we fail to listen is that we are thinking about what we want to say next. Another reason for poor listening is that we are anticipating what the other person is going to say before it is said. Often, we guess wrong, so we are way off when we reply. Sometimes, we are just not paying attention because we are thinking about something other than what they are saying to us.
The same is true for listening to God. He does not speak to us in an audible voice very often, but He does speak to us in other clear ways. If we are not listening, we won't hear Him. If we don't hear Him, we can't obey. Therefore, sin is the inevitable result. Then, we get punished for our sin, instead of being blessed by our obedience. That is why listening to God is so vital.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Haggai 2 and Zechariah 1-2.