More Listening and Less Talking

Acts 16:6-7 [6] Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. [7] After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.

Who or what is guiding our daily lives? Today, far too many of us have lost the art of listening. Most of us are more interested in speaking our minds and opinions, than we are in truly listening to others who are trying to communicate with us. As born again followers of Jesus, many of us have taken that attitude with us when we approach God's throne. We are eager to tell the Lord what we need and want, and tell God what He should be blessing in our lives; but we fail to be still long enough to hear what the Spirit wants to say. Romans 8:14 tells us that all who are led by the Spirit are sons of God. So why are so many of us not hearing from the Spirit in our daily walk? Well, I would have to say that it is not because the Spirit is silent, but rather that God's children are not listening. We have allowed the busyness of this world, and all the noise around us, drown out the Spirit's voice. Far too many of us are so busy trying to bring our own plans to fruition, that we are ignoring the Spirit's leading. When things don't work out the way we expect them to, we blame God for our failures; when in fact, we were following our own desires and plans. If we expect to hear from God, and expect to be led by His Spirit, then we need to get back to learning how to be still and start doing more listening and less talking. God wants to hear from us, but He also want us to be still, and silent, long enough for Him to get a word in edgewise.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).