Sharpening Your Spiritual Ears to Hear What God is Speaking

Scripture Reading: 

  • Revelation 2:7 (NASB): “The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.” 
  • Revelation 2:7 (TLB): “Let this message sink into the ears of anyone who listens to what the Spirit is saying to the churches: To everyone who is victorious, I will give fruit from the Tree of Life in the Paradise of God.” 
  • Revelation 2:7 (AMPC): “He who is able to hear, let him listen to and give heed to what the Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). To him who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant to eat [of the fruit] of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” 

Introduction: 

Do you know that the phrase “He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” is a powerful call to spiritual attentiveness. Jesus himself emphasizes the importance of being spiritually receptive to God’s voice. Ask yourself, “what does it mean to me to truly hear in a spiritual sense, and how am I to live this daily?

Jesus practiced hearing: 

John 5:30 (TPT): “Nothing I do is from my own initiative, for as I hear the judgment passed by my Father, I execute judgment. And my judgments will be perfect, because I can do nothing on my own, except to fulfill the desires of my Father who sent me.” 

  • Word meaning 

○ To hear: To perceive the sense of what is said. 

○ To perceive: To become aware or conscious of what God is saying or to realize or understand a truth. 

You and I are born with physical ears to navigate the natural world. However, when we are born again by the Spirit (John 3:5-7), we are endowed with spiritual ears that need to be developed to perceive God’s voice. 

In your bible, this concept of “ears to Hear” appears in both the Old and New Testaments and carries significant biblical implications. 

Let us look at some key biblical references and meanings: 

Pay attention to what each section emphasizes. 

  1. Understanding and Acceptance: 

○ Matthew 13:9, 13-23: “Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Jesus uses this phrase after telling the Parable of the Sower. He explains that though many hear the words, only those with spiritual insight truly understand. Verse 23 says “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” The parable highlights different types of receptiveness to God’s word. 

○ Matthew 11:15: “Whoever has ears, let them hear.” This phrase follows Jesus’ teaching about John the Baptist and the coming kingdom of God, stressing the importance of being open to divine truth. 

  1. Spiritual Receptivity: 

○ Revelation 2:7: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” This appears in the letters to the seven churches in Revelation, urging believers to be attentive and responsive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and warnings. 

○ Revelation 3:22: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” This reinforces the need for the churches to heed divine instruction and correction. 

  1. Prophetic Insight: 

○ Ezekiel 3:27: “But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people.” This emphasizes the distinction between those who are open to God’s message and those who are not. 

  1. Moral and Spiritual Disposition: 

○ Isaiah 6:9-10: “He said, ‘Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” This passage highlights the consequences of spiritual dullness and the importance of a receptive heart. 

So what are the implications of having “ears to hear”: 

  • Spiritual Awareness: Having “ears to hear” implies a deeper spiritual awareness and readiness to receive and act upon God’s word. 
  • Openness to Teaching: It signifies an openness to divine teaching and correction, contrasting with those who are spiritually deaf or hard-hearted. 
  • Discipleship and Obedience: It stresses the importance of discipleship and obedience, indicating that true followers of Jesus are those who not only hear but also understand and live by His teachings. 

Are you now more aware of how important it is to have your heart and mind tuned to God’s voice, ready to hear, understand, and follow His teachings? It requires being active and open spiritually. 

Common Challenges to Spiritual Hearing: 

Many believers struggle to hear God’s voice because of various distractions and spiritual obstacles including: 

  • Being too upset or anxious. 
  • Obsession with personal problems or idols. 
  • Wrong beliefs and self-righteousness.
  • Blaming others or being prideful. 
  • Being too busy or distracted. 
  • Holding on to old traditions and ways of thinking. 
  • Shame, stubbornness, or the desire to impress others. 

In the Old Testament Jeremiah, the prophet addressed the problem he had with his people who would not hear the word of the Lord. He said “To whom shall I [Jeremiah] speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised [never brought into covenant with God or consecrated to His service], and they cannot hear or obey. Behold, the word of the Lord has become to them a reproach and the object of their scorn; they have no delight in it.” Jeremiah 6:10 (AMP) 

Uncircumcised ears are a metaphor for spiritual stubbornness and a refusal to listen and obey God’s commands. 

The Importance of Hearing in Building Faith: 

Romans 10:17 (NKJV): “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” 

You can clearly see that hearing is crucial because it is through hearing that faith comes, and faith pleases God. When God is pleased, He responds to our prayers. Therefore, developing your spiritual hearing is vital for your relationship with God. 

How can you sharpen your spiritual ears? 

Sharpening our spiritual “ears to hear” involves cultivating a deeper sensitivity and responsiveness to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and the truths of God’s Word.

Here are some simple practical steps you can take to increase your spiritual hearing: 

  1. Consecrate or dedicate your ears to God’s service 
  2. Spend some time praying in tongues (or worshiping if you don’t pray in tongues) before starting any activity. 
  3. Regular Prayer and Meditation: 
    • Daily Prayer: Engage in consistent and heartfelt prayer, asking God to open your ears to His voice. Seek a deeper relationship with Him and be attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. 
    • Meditation: Spend time meditating on Scripture, reflecting on its meaning, and asking the Holy Spirit for insight and understanding. 
  1. Study of Scripture: 
    • Bible Reading: Read the Bible regularly to familiarize yourself with God’s Word. This helps to recognize His voice more clearly, as His voice will never contradict Scripture. 
    • Bible Study: Participate in Bible study groups to gain different perspectives and deeper insights into the Word. 
  1. Obey God’s Word: 
    • Application: Act on what you learn from Scripture. Obedience to God’s commands enhances your ability to hear and recognize His voice. ●
    • Consistency: Practice consistent obedience in both small and large matters, which cultivates a more sensitive and responsive spirit. 
  1. Spend Quiet Time in Solitude:
    • Silence: Set aside time for quietness and solitude, free from distractions, to listen for God’s voice. 
    • Contemplation: Contemplate on God’s presence and be still before Him, allowing your mind and spirit to be attuned to His leading. 
  1. Develop Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit: 
    • Awareness: Be aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence and prompting throughout your day. Pay attention to feelings, thoughts, or impressions that align with God’s Word. 
    • Discernment: Pray for discernment to distinguish between your own thoughts, external influences, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. 
  1. Worship and Fellowship: 
    • Worship: Engage in regular worship, both privately and corporately. Worship helps to align your heart with God and be more receptive to His voice. 
    • Community: Surround yourself with other believers who can encourage, support, and hold you accountable. Sharing experiences and insights can help sharpen your spiritual hearing. 
  1. Fasting and Self-Denial: 
    • Fasting: Practice fasting as a means to draw closer to God and tune out worldly distractions. Fasting helps to focus your mind and spirit on God’s voice. 
    • Self-Denial: Deny yourself certain comforts or habits that may dull your spiritual senses and divert your focus from God. 
  1. Seek Godly Counsel:
    • Mentorship: Seek guidance from mature Christians and spiritual mentors who can provide wisdom and insights based on their experiences. 
    • Counsel: Listen to sermons, teachings, and read books by respected Christian authors to gain broader understanding and insight. 
  1. Examine Your Heart: 
    • Repentance: Although your focus should be on righteousness rather than constantly dwelling on sin, it is important to remain open and responsive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting when it reveals any unconfessed sins or negative attitudes that may hinder your ability to hear God. Acknowledge what the Holy Spirit is bringing to your attention, repent, follow the guidance of the Word, and maintain your connection with the Holy Spirit through ongoing fellowship.
    • Purity: Strive to maintain a pure heart and mind, free from bitterness, anger, and other negative emotions that can obstruct your spiritual hearing. 
  1. Express Gratitude and Praise: 
    • Thankfulness: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and praise. A thankful heart is more attuned to God’s blessings and voice. 

You can sharpen your spiritual “ears” and become more attuned to what the Spirit of the Lord is saying by putting these things into practice. You must be aware that this process requires intentionality, patience, and a genuine desire to grow closer to God, to gain understanding and do His will. You can have it if you will do what it takes to get it. 

Now try doing this exercise: 

  1. Speak in tongues (if unable to, worship the Lord) for a short time (maybe 2 minutes) 
  2. Pray this while touching your ears: Father, I consecrate my ears to hear your word.
  3. Now Repeat Revelation 2:7 three or four times loudly and listen as you speak. Listen with a receptive spirit. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” 
  4. Now answer this question based on the scripture spoken by you: What is the Holy Spirit revealing to you personally about improving your ability to hear Him.
  5. Quiet yourself so you can hear God’s voice (Psa 62:5: My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. 
  6. Write what you sense the Lord is saying
  7. Share it with your group

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