Listening to God Is the Difference Between Hearing and Obeying
- meetgodattheedgeof
- Mar 26
- 2 min read
Mark 4:24–25
[24] Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. [25] To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”
Listening.
I remember when I was a kid who thought I knew it all. My parents used to tell me I heard them, but I wasn’t listening. In my head I would say, “That’s so stupid, they mean the same thing.”
Now that I am older, I see that they are vastly different. Especially now that I am a father and I am having the same conversations with my kids. What a ding dong I was… if I had only listened and learned.
That same truth carries over into our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Listening to God is the difference between hearing and obeying. The only way we make it through our day, our job, our marriage, and our hardships—and not make things worse—is if we are truly listening.
Here is the definition of listening: to give attention to sound, concentrate on hearing, or take heed of advice.
Give your attention to the Lord. Concentrate on hearing Him and understanding His words to you. Take heed of His instructions and His leading so you can make it out of situations the right way—not just barely survive them.
In frustration, it’s very difficult to quiet the noise in our heads and concentrate on the Lord’s voice. But that’s exactly what we need. Listening to God is the difference between hearing and obeying, especially when everything in you wants to react instead of respond.
When we pray, we need to focus more on listening. He has the answers. His hands are extended, offering you exactly what you need—but your head and your heart may be focused somewhere else. Focused on the problem. Focused on the hardship. Focused on what you think should happen.
Instead, lean into your Father. Let the noise fade.
Our prayers need to be less about talking and more about listening.
Listen… and obey.
Isaiah 1:17–18, 20
[17] Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.[18] “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.[20] But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
