Active listening is necessary for relationship.
Success in relationships need active listening.
5 “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the [a]air ate it up. 6 Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. 8 Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” As He said these things, He would call out, “He who has ears to hear, [b]let him hear.” Luke 8:5-8
"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."
18 So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he [a]thinks he has shall be taken away from him.” Luke 8:18
Take time to consider listening (safer to be near than far)
Four LIstening Styles (only one suitable in relationship).
I. Some people don't listen at all.
5 “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the [a]air ate it up." Luke 8:5
Actively not listening, hard heart. We go out of our way NOT to hear. Why?
a. pride -- I can do it myself.
b. bitterness -- it's all God's fault.
c. Lack of understanding -- you don't know that God wants to talk to you.
(in trials, heartaches, we can become bitter or better).
"He leads the [a]humble in justice,
And He teaches the [b]humble His way." Psalm 25:9
We have to be humble to learn.
II. Some people listen, then forget (like planting in gravel)
6 "Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture."
Luke 8:6
We're not supposed to hear it once and walk away.
"But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." James 1:22
Put it to use.
We lose 90-95% what we hear within 72 hours. If you write it down you retain it a lot longer.
III. Some people listen by it's not important.
"Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out." Luke 8:7
What are the weeds?
a. worries
b. love of money
c. busyness
Worries: “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will [a]care for itself. [b]Each day has enough trouble of its own" Matthew 6:34
Love of money: "For the love of money is a root of all [a]sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10
Busyness: And He *said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)" Mark 6:31
IV. Some people listen well.
"So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, butthe Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake a fire, butthe Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing." 1 Kings 19:11-12
God's not forcing you to do anything.
God wants us to grow closer to Him.
We need to hear that whisper.
God needs to get all of our attention. In your prayer time spend as much time in silence as in talking.
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;" John 10:27
God is speaking. Are you listening?