Listen 😅, we can do a lot of whining and complaining about how so and so does not listen to us. We cannot control others, but we can control ourselves. In learning about Christian Apologetics, I learned that one of the best ways to actually be heard was to know the perspective of the person I’m talking to. Well, we cannot understand well, if we do not listen well.
We also need to think about whether we are listening to those who we feel struggle to hear us. I know I can get so fixated on myself, my feelings, and the desire to feel validated and justified that I am not really listening to someone, just waiting to get my foot in the conversation to focus on me, me, me.
As Femine_Not_Feminst pointed out on an Instagram post, “We were made to be deeply known. We are not made to be deeply known by everyone. The pursuit of others’ approval is a maddening spiral with no real end in sight.”
We need to examine why we want to be heard. Are we putting effort in conversations that are fruitless? Do we genuinely care about the person we are talking to? Why? Do we care about the person so they will give us attention? Are we seeking how much someone will benefit us over caring about how Christ wants us to serve others? Do we care about the person and their walk with Christ?
I’ve found communication can become difficult the moment we make the discussion about ourselves in our heart and mind. Miscommunication can often happen both ways. Maybe we need to slow down and examine ourselves.
What Can I Do To Listen To Others Better?
- Pray for conviction when you feel unheard, perhaps there is a hidden sin that needs to be brought to the light. Also pray for conviction when you struggle with listening to others and/or how you respond to others.
- Pray for the person who you really struggle to communicate to.
- Pray for patience when you feel unheard.
- Pray for compassion when you feel unheard.
- When listening to people, repeat back what you are hearing and understanding.
- Be willing to slow down and pray when you realize your mind is drifting and getting distracted instead of trying to listen to someone.
- Be accountable. Are we listening to God’s holy word? Are we reading scripture and being pricked by the Holy Spirit?
- Be accountable. Are we invested in the pursuit of Christ or the pursuit of self-gratification?
(ESV) Proverbs 3:07 – Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
The Gospel Message– The Gospel message is good news, which means there’s bad news. We all are sinners and condemned. We all deserve the just punishment of God’s wrath. Christianity is unlike any other religion because we cannot earn our way into Heaven. God saw the weakness of man and his utter depravity. Yet, He showed us grace. Jesus, God, One Person of the Trinity, became God in the flesh, the God-Man. He was always perfect and sinless. And His humanity was perfected on the cross, living the full sinless life. He became our atonement sacrifice. Dying in our place, taking on the wrath of God upon Himself. He died on the cross, and He was resurrected because death could not hold Him. Jesus is the answer. We, as guilty sinners, need His blood to pay off our debt of sin. For all who put their faith in Him – meaning eyes are opened to the Gospel, we see ourselves as a sinner, we see the need for Christ, we desire our Savior, and we see the ugliness of our sin. Putting our faith in Jesus, we seek HIs forgiveness and repent from our sins, we turn away from our old way of life. We, through the work of the Holy Spirit, continue to become convicted of sin daily. Our eyes will never be the same again. We see things in a different light, and the truth of Christ affects how we live and serve Him. Christ tells us to count the cost. Salvation is a serious topic, it is not to be taken lightly. For a breakdown of this powerful message, understanding how Christ could be God and Man, why God required sacrifices, and more -please see: Why Did A Loving God Kill His Son? (Does God Hate?)
If you think you know the Gospel, check out these questions and see how prepared you are for the day someone might ask you why you believe: The Gospel Challenge (30 Question Quiz) – Are You Ready To Defend Your Faith?
Scripture To Meditate On –(ESV) Colossians 1:15-16 – For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Community Prayer – January ‘23
Christian Topics/Series Covered
Personal Blog: Peeking Beneath
Second Blog: UnAshamed Christian Housewife
Godly Men & Women I Recommend: Link To List
Resources For False Teaching: Recommended Websites For False Teachers/Teaching
Video Playlist: Christian Questions, Topics, False Teachers, Insights
Video Playlist: New Christian Believer
Video Playlist: Understanding False Teachings
Video Playlist: Sermons To Grow From
Social: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
COMMENT RULES – Rules For Comments (Why Some May Not Appear)
Inside Cup 