John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
Hearing is a vital function of our physical senses, allowing us to interact with the world. However, just as we have physical ears, we also have spiritual ears designed to hear God.
Life is Spiritual
We cannot afford to live life based solely on the physical realm; the spiritual controls the physical. As new creation believers, our spiritual hearing is essential for discerning God’s voice, direction, and truth.
Purpose of Our Physical and Spiritual Senses
- Physical Senses: Help us navigate the natural world (sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch).
- Spiritual Senses: Enable us to connect with God’s realm.
- Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food belongs to those who are mature, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
Just as a deaf person in the natural cannot hear warnings or instructions, a spiritually deaf person struggles to understand divine direction.
- Physical deafness leads to communication barriers, misinterpretations, and a reliance on sight.
- Spiritual deafness leads to confusion, lack of guidance, and susceptibility to deception.
- Matthew 13:13 “Seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”
Many believers struggle spiritually because they do not cultivate their ability to hear God.
Hindrances to Spiritual Hearing
- Carnal Mindset:
- Romans 8:5-8 – Living according to the flesh dulls our ability to hear God.
- Hardness of Heart:
- A hardened heart blocks God’s voice (Hebrews 3:15).
- Distractions and Noise:
- 1 John 2:15-17 – Love for the world can drown out God’s voice.
- Unbelief:
- Doubt hinders reception (Hebrews 3:15).
- Lack of Word Exposure:
- Romans 10:17 – Faith comes by hearing the Word; fear comes by hearing the world.
How to Train Your Spiritual Ears to Hear God
- Be Born Again
- John 10:27 – God’s sheep hear His voice.
- 1 Corinthians 6:17 – We are one spirit with Him.
- Develop Sensitivity Through the Word
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – The Word tunes our ears to hear God.
- Cultivate a Life of Prayer and Fellowship
- Acts 13:2 – The Holy Spirit speaks when we spend time with God.
- Obedience and Practice
- James 1:22 – The more we respond, the clearer His voice becomes.
New Testament Examples of Hearing God’s Voice
- Jesus’ Baptism (Matthew 3:16-17) – God audibly affirmed Jesus.
- The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5) – God instructed the disciples to listen to Jesus.
- Saul’s (Paul’s) Conversion (Acts 9:3-6) – Paul heard Jesus, leading to his transformation.
- Peter’s Vision (Acts 10:9-16) – Peter heard God’s instruction about the Gentiles.
- The Church in Antioch (Acts 13:2) – The believers heard the Holy Spirit’s voice.
Benefits of Spiritual Hearing
- Guidance and Direction:
- Isaiah 30:21 – “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’”
- Protection from Deception:
- John 16:13 – The Spirit of truth will guide us into all truth.
- Greater Intimacy with God:
- Revelation 3:20 – Listening to God brings us closer to Him.
- Empowerment for Greater Exploits:
- Acts 9:10-17 – Ananias heard God and ministered to Saul.
Conclusion
As new creation believers, we must develop and sharpen our ability to hear God. The Holy Spirit within us enables us to discern His voice, guiding us into His truth and purpose. Let us actively cultivate spiritual hearing through obedience, prayer, and devotion to God’s Word so that we may walk in His divine will and fulfill our God-given destinies.
