Listen. Sound Waves.

This post is part of a series that was inspired by the song Listen.

Digital trends impact and shape how we think, what we do with our time and what we come to believe about our world and ourselves.

How can we engage with our world in a way that both honors God and is relevant to our times?

“Speak Lord, I’m listening.”

We need to grow in understanding of the pain, longings and the complexities of moral dilemmas people are facing today.

Practice Listening Skills

#1 Don’t ignore the echoes of longing and distress.

Youtube clip for 1 minute: Here: https://youtu.be/GrGX4KZ44WI

Practice double listening.

"Humble listening is indispensable to relevant preaching.” John Stott, Between Two Worlds.

Double listening is learning to keep one ear on what God’s Word says, and one ear on the voices of our world.

#2 We are not listening with the same degree of respect to what the world says, as when we listen to the voice of God.

“The more aware we are of the context around us, the more urgent becomes our listening to God in order to hear a word from Him that is relevant to their pain.” John Stott.

#3 Listen until you understand what honors God while loving your neighbor.

Did God really say so?

“Has God indeed said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said - You shall not eat of it.” Genesis 3:1,2

“You will not die. God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened and y you will be like God , knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4,5

Exercise Wisdom

Wise Way #1 We have to exchange the lies of the sound waves for the truth of God.

Wise Way #2 We have to trade worldly expectations for what God’s word teaches us about life and practice.

“ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

God doesn’t work according to my expectations, He works according to his purposes.

Wise Way #3 Amplify the voice of God over the voice of the sound waves.

Develop Discernment.

Examine the morality. Sharpen your moral compass.

“Don’t share in other peoples sins, keep yourself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:22

“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful, all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.” 1 Corinthians 10:23

Establish what God is asking of you.

Listen, love and lead by example.

“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignore of foolish men – as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.” 1 Peter 2:15,16

Expose yourself to purity.

Stop hiding and let God in.

Repent - turn around and come home.

“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance.” Romans 2:4

Enjoy creativity.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17