Part 3 (2/2)
Do You Have Selective Hearing?
Recently G.o.d told me that when we are unwilling to hear in one area, it may render us unable to hear in other areas. Sometimes we choose to turn a deaf ear to what we know the Lord is clearly saying to us. We only hear what we want to hear, which is called ”selective hearing.” After a while, people think they can't hear from G.o.d anymore but really, there are many things they already know He wants them to respond to, but they haven't done so. I have learned that the more quickly I do whatever it is the Lord tells me to do, the more quickly He reveals the next step I am to take.
A woman once shared with me that she asked G.o.d to give her direction concerning what He wanted her to do. He clearly put in her heart that He wanted her to forgive her sister for an offense that happened between them months before. Because she wasn't willing to forgive, she pulled away from her prayer time. When she did seek the Lord again for something, He always responded, ”Forgive your sister first.”
Over a period of two years, every time she asked the Lord for guidance in something new, He gently reminded her, ”I want you to forgive your sister.” Finally, she realized she would never grow spiritually if she didn't do the last thing G.o.d told her to do.
She got on her knees and prayed, ”Lord, give me the power to forgive my sister.” Instantly she understood many things from her sibling's perspective she hadn't considered before and within a short time their relations.h.i.+p was healed and stronger than ever before.
If we really want to hear from G.o.d, we can't approach Him with selective hearing hoping to narrow the topics to only what we want to hear. People take time to listen for His voice when they have issues they want solved. If they have a problem, or have concerns about their job, or need wisdom on how to have more prosperity, or need to deal with a child, they are all ears to hear what G.o.d has to say.
Don't just go to G.o.d and talk to Him when you want or need something; also spend time with Him-just listening. He will open up many issues if you will be still before Him and simply listen. As we study G.o.d's Word, we are confronted with many things that will need to change in our lives in order for us to be what G.o.d desires us to be. If we are willing, G.o.d will do the work; but if we make excuses and have selective hearing, we will remain in bondage and darkness and hearing from G.o.d will become more and more difficult.
For many people, listening is an ability only developed by practice. I have always been a talker; I never had to try to talk. But I have had to learn to listen on purpose. The Bible says, ”Be still, and know that I am G.o.d” (Psalm 46:10 NIV). Our flesh is full of energy and usually wants to be active doing something, so it can be difficult to be still.
As I said, talking has always been easy for me. I told my husband one day we needed to talk more. It seemed to me he never wanted to spend time just sitting and talking. He responded by saying, ”Joyce, we don't talk, you talk and I listen.” He was right and I needed to change if I expected him to want to fellows.h.i.+p with me. I also discovered I was doing the same thing with G.o.d; I talked and expected G.o.d to listen. I complained that I never heard from G.o.d, but the truth was I never listened.
When you ask G.o.d a question, take some time and listen. Even if He does not respond right at that moment, He will in due time. You may be doing some ordinary task when G.o.d decides to speak, but if you have honored Him by listening as part of your fellows.h.i.+p with Him, He will speak at the right time.
Please don't fall into a trap of listening for voices. Remember that G.o.d speaks in a variety of ways, and His most usual ways are through His Word and the inward witness which often manifests as a strong ”knowing.” He may also work through circ.u.mstances or some other very normal things. I wrote a book t.i.tled How to Hear from G.o.d, and I suggest it for anyone who really wants to learn more about this important subject.
You may be doing some ordinary task when G.o.d decides to speak, but if you have honored Him by listening as part of your fellows.h.i.+p with Him, He will speak at the right time.
CHAPTER 15.
Let the Holy Spirit Defend You Most of us spend a great deal of time and energy in life trying to defend ourselves, our reputation, our position, our actions, our words, and our decisions. We are truly wasting a great deal of our time. When people are judgmental in nature or character and are judgmental toward us, we may finally after much effort convince them of our purity of heart. But with a judgmental nature, they will quickly find something else about us to judge. In these types of situations, it is best to pray and let G.o.d be our defense.
This gives us much to think about. The Holy Spirit as Comforter to us is called to our side to give us aid in every way. When we need defense, He acts as a legal a.s.sistant would for a client, a counsel for our defense to plead our case, an intercessor for us. It is good to know we don't have to defend ourselves when we are accused of something; we can ask for help from the Holy One and expect to receive it. He is our Advocate. Just thinking about that should bring us comfort.
We notice in the Holy Scriptures that Jesus basically never defended Himself. Philippians 2:7 (KJV) says He ”made himself of no reputation.” He didn't try to make one, and therefore He did not have to worry about keeping it.
We don't have to defend ourselves when we are accused of something; we can ask for help from the Holy One and expect to receive it.
After years of trying to be well thought of, I discovered that it is much better to have a good reputation in heaven than on earth. I want to have a good reputation with people, and hopefully, I live my life in such a way that I do. But I don't worry about it anymore. I do my best and let G.o.d take care of the rest.
Romans 8:33 tells us it is G.o.d who justifies us; we don't have to justify ourselves, not even to G.o.d the Father. Why should we then have to try to justify ourselves before people? We don't have to when we understand the Holy Spirit is our Advocate.
Not needing to defend ourselves, but instead trusting G.o.d to be our Vindicator, is just one of many privileges and freedoms that are ours as we enter into a new life lived with Jesus as our Savior. Once we receive Him we begin an exciting journey. Sometimes the journey is difficult, but our most difficult day with Jesus will be far better than our best day ever was without Him. Make a decision to enjoy your journey. As you walk with G.o.d you will learn, and as you apply what you learn you will experience more and more freedom and joy.
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