Listening for God
- Larry Kutzler
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
The Bible tells us that God is not found in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire, but in the still small Voice. I believe Jesus will never be found in the theology made by man. He resides in a whisper to your heart. Recently, I told a group of people that most of my theology has been replaced by a simple understanding of Jesus. I know that will bug the theologians who think theology rules the Kingdom, but for me, it works. Most theology is a construct of theologians who use the Scriptures to prove their point. When you study the life of Christ, His theology was knowing and doing God’s will.
Remember, the best theology is always simple, and when God speaks, it is usually in a whisper. I love this idea that God’s spirit speaks in a quiet and gentle way … constantly trying to get our attention. I have learned over the last few years to ask for help from the Holy Spirit to teach me to listen. One of my characteristics is to react quickly and decisively which often does not end well. Taking a step back with a deep breath, I will ask Him to keep me from making a reaction in haste. I am learning to become more measured in how I react, and it is in that quiet whisper that I hear Him say, “Not now, slow it down and relax.” What I am learning is to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Again, learning to bridle my words, my emotions, and my anger is something the Holy Spirit is helping me to develop as I listen for His voice.
More Time
God wants time with us, His desire from the beginning of creation was to be in relationship with us, but it is hard for us to respond to Him with the time. Participating in a Sabbath celebration helped the Jews to unplug to honor God, to reconnect with Him, and to be instructed by His Word on how to live. Of course that was only once a week, however, it was not meant to be the only time God wanted to be in fellowship with us. Many Christians practice a quiet time with God daily … reading the Word, praying, and setting a course for the day to honor God in all that transpires in that day. It is also a time to hear from God through the whisper I mentioned earlier. Listening for God to speak to your heart does not come without first surrendering to Him. God wants people who put Him first and pursue Him above all things in their lives.
2 Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
God takes seriously how the heart of man is positioned with Him. Do we desire Him, want Him, pursue Him, and obey Him? All these characteristics are important to indicate we too want to have a relationship with Him, as much as He wants to be in relationship with us.
One Last Thought
Being quick to listen is a characteristic of a disciple. A disciple is listening for God’s voice to speak more than listening to our own opinions. Who really cares about our opinions? Most of us operate from our own experiences which become the basis for how we form our opinions. Our opinions can be deceptive because they are the genesis developed from all kinds of information that may not be true with God. Listening to the whisper of God, as you read His Word and from prayer, will help you receive God’s input on the things that are most important in your life.
Challenging the Culture with Truth … Larry Kutzler