"He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because you are not of God."
John 8:47
This is interesting. It is tempting to look at something like this and think... well, can't hear him, guess I'm not of God, and give up. :) I think it is more complex than that though... and none of us are cemented permanently into a state of hearing or not hearing. It, like most other things in our lives, is a matter of choice. So, how do we choose to hear God's words? Part of it is seeking him out and wanting that in our lives. If we don't want God in our lives, it is very unlikely that we will be listening for his voice. I think that it goes along with feeling the Spirit. The more we want to be close to God, and the more we seek to be close to him, the more attuned we will be to his spirit, and be able to hear what he has to say... and the same goes the other way. The less we want and work at being close to God, the less sensitized we will be, until we can hear nothing except ourselves.
Walking away from God in order to figure out how we feel about him, and how dedicated we are to him is massively counterproductive for these same reasons. If we are trying to figure out our relationship with God by not hanging out with him... that is like trying to overcome an argument with a friend by ceasing all communication. It will probably work, but only in one way... loss of the friendship. If we want to be "of God," and therefore able to hear his voice, we have to work at that relationship. We have to want to hear what he has to say. Some indicators of that desire and faith might be reading our scriptures and praying... studying the words of the prophets, and being willing to give God's plan a try rather than striking off on our own.
Today, let's listen. Let's seek. Let's do everything we can to be "of God," and able to hear when God speaks to us. Because he *always* will. Let's not choose self-imposed deafness.
John 8:47
This is interesting. It is tempting to look at something like this and think... well, can't hear him, guess I'm not of God, and give up. :) I think it is more complex than that though... and none of us are cemented permanently into a state of hearing or not hearing. It, like most other things in our lives, is a matter of choice. So, how do we choose to hear God's words? Part of it is seeking him out and wanting that in our lives. If we don't want God in our lives, it is very unlikely that we will be listening for his voice. I think that it goes along with feeling the Spirit. The more we want to be close to God, and the more we seek to be close to him, the more attuned we will be to his spirit, and be able to hear what he has to say... and the same goes the other way. The less we want and work at being close to God, the less sensitized we will be, until we can hear nothing except ourselves.
Walking away from God in order to figure out how we feel about him, and how dedicated we are to him is massively counterproductive for these same reasons. If we are trying to figure out our relationship with God by not hanging out with him... that is like trying to overcome an argument with a friend by ceasing all communication. It will probably work, but only in one way... loss of the friendship. If we want to be "of God," and therefore able to hear his voice, we have to work at that relationship. We have to want to hear what he has to say. Some indicators of that desire and faith might be reading our scriptures and praying... studying the words of the prophets, and being willing to give God's plan a try rather than striking off on our own.
Today, let's listen. Let's seek. Let's do everything we can to be "of God," and able to hear when God speaks to us. Because he *always* will. Let's not choose self-imposed deafness.
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