Summer of the Spirit: Listening

radiantvisalia.comThe Summer of the Spirit: Part 9, ListeningScripture: James 1:19, Proverbs 18:13, Luke 24:13-35, Philippians 2:1-8Intro:Tiffany speaks on listening by the Spirit.Listening: seemingly simple, yet requires spiritual guidance.God’s invitation to grow in listening.The Foundational Act of Listening:Listening begins in the Trinity, pre-creation.Humans begin listening in the womb.Listening is central to faith (Shema: “Hear, O Israel”).Discipleship begins and grows through listening.James: “Quick to listen, slow to speak.”Proverbs: “Answering before listening is folly.”A Deficit of Listening:Culture prioritizes speaking over listening.Interruption, assumptions, self-assertion are common.Jesus: “Let him who has ears to hear, hear.”Isolation and division have worsened listening skills.Even Christians struggle to listen well.God, the Listening God:Astonishing truth: God listens to us.God’s attention is a gift, not an obligation.Psalms: God bends down His ear to listen.God listens to our weakness, confusion, and lament.We learn to listen by experiencing God’s listening heart.Listening Like Jesus:Jesus embodies God’s listening.Jesus had time, asked questions (Luke 24:13-35).Jesus’ patience, attentiveness, and playfulness.Jesus invited honesty, vulnerability, and intimacy.Jesus listened widely and deeply.Self-Reflection and Humility:Examine motives for entering conversations.Silence ≠ listening (focus on self vs. others).True listening honors others (Philippians 2:1-8).Listening is an act of humility, laying down self.Listening requires dependence on the Holy Spirit.Call to Action:Pray for the Holy Spirit to teach us to listen.Seek a deeper revelation of God’s listening heart.Grow in capacity to listen to God and others.Learn to hear the longings beneath the questions.Repent and make amends where needed.Offer our ears to God, to be a listening people.A life led by the Spirit is a listening life. Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.