Listening Attentively to Others (Part 2)

Season 2 Episode 32 - What does the Bible say will be the results of listening attentively to others?  In the previous episode, I shared my ah-ha moment of discovering my total lack of attentive listening, and how I began the process of learning.  I then shared 3 results of attentive listening, based on the Scriptures.  In this episode, we look at 3 more results.  Listen (no pun intended) and find out what they are!

"Reflect on This" is a once-weekly, short devotional podcast. In these devotionals, I share the things I am learning about the ways and nature of God, through applying my study of the Scriptures to life, in practical and fulfilling ways.
 
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Resources that inspired some episodes:

35 Bible Verses About Listening To Others (Explained) - Bible Repository 

"The Language of Rivers and Stars" by Seth Lewis

"Restoration Year: Devotions to Transform Your Relationships, Spirit, and Faith" by John Eldredge

"Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

"The Pleasure of His Company" by Dutch Sheets

"Fresh Air" by Chris Hodges

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis
 
 Seth Lewis blog:  https://sethlewis.ie/

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

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“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
 Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers paid apprenticeships to men who need a second chance.  These apprentices learn biblical principles, character, and valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, make a donation, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
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“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
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Music credits:
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Transcript

In the previous episode, I shared how, for many decades, I had deceived myself into thinking that I was listening to my wonderful wife, being attentive to her needs and wishes, and being really in tune with her heart.  Thankfully, I finally acknowledged my condition.  I allowed God to begin the ongoing process of changing my heart and my soul, repenting of these serious, damaging character defects, asking my sweet wife to forgive me, and then beginning to ingraft relevant Scriptures into my soul. 

The key was finally starting the process of learning to be a genuine listener to my wife, so that she is beginning to feel heard, seen, known, and loved.  Learning to be a genuine listener to her has also helped me to become more others-focused, so that I am learning to become a genuine listener to others as well.

I am now beginning to see that listening and being attentive to others – especially to those you love – is essential to following the example of Jesus and the teaching of Scripture.  In the previous episode, I shared the first 3 principles of genuine listening and their basis in Scripture (as taken from an article on the Bible Repository web site).  They are:

·         Listening as a path of wisdom.  [Application:  Listening helps us to grow from the wisdom of others.]

·         Listening as an act of love.  [Application:  Listening is an active, loving response that helps us to value what others have to say.]

·         Listening as a means of encouragement.  [Application:  To encourage others, we must listen to them and understand the burdens they are carrying.]

Today’s let’s look at the remaining 3 principles:

Listening as a way to resolve conflicts:

·         Proverbs 18:13 NIV  To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.  [Application:  In conflict, wisdom calls for listening first. By understanding the facts and the perspectives of others, we can avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and work towards peaceful resolutions.]

·         Matthew 18:15 NLT  “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.  [Application:  Listening is the first step in resolving issues and restoring relationships, as it opens the door to confession and forgiveness.]

·         Proverbs 15:1 NIV  A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  [Application:  Listening allows us to respond gently rather than react harshly. Our words have the power to either escalate or de-escalate conflict. When we listen first, we can choose our words wisely, diffusing tension and promoting peace.]

·         Proverbs 25:12 HCSB  A wise correction to a receptive ear is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold.  [Application:  By listening to criticism, we can grow, improve, and resolve conflicts more effectively, valuing the input of others as a treasure rather than a threat.]

Listening as a test of humility:

·         Philippians 2:3 NLT  Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  [Application:  Humility begins with listening, which prioritizes others over ourselves.]

·         Proverbs 13:10 NLT  Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.  [Application:  This verse teaches that listening to advice is a sign of wisdom and humility, while pride leads to conflict.]

·         James 4:10 NLT  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.  [Application:  Humbling ourselves before God often involves listening to His voice through others, which leads to God honoring our humility.]

Listening as a reflection of God’s character:

·         Psalms 116:1-2 TPT  I am passionately in love with God because he listens to me. He hears my prayers and answers them.  (2)  As long as I live I’ll keep praying to him, for he stoops down to listen to my heart’s cry.  [Application:  God’s willingness to listen is a profound expression of His love and care. This verse shows us that listening is an act of love, and by listening to others, we reflect God’s character.]

·         Psalms 34:15 ISV  The LORD looks on the righteous, and he listens to their cries.  [Application:  God’s attentiveness to our cries for help is a model for how we should listen to others.]

Would you join me in the following prayer?

O God, I am starting to see that listening attentively (to You and to others) is essential to following the example of Jesus and the teaching of Scripture.  I am beginning to see how the Scriptures show that genuine listening will help me grow in wisdom, demonstrate love to others, gives me insights into how to encourage others and resolve conflicts, gives me a true measurement of my humility, and reflects Your character to others.  Would You continue teaching me how to be an attentive listener?

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”