“Take care, lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart, and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release, is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry to the Lord against you, and you be guilty of sin.” – Deuteronomy 15:9
Bible Verses About What You Listen To
The Importance of Listening
We must recognize the vital role that listening plays in our lives as followers of Christ. Listening is more than just hearing sounds; it is about understanding and internalizing the messages we receive. The Bible emphasizes the need for us to be attentive to what we are listening to, as it greatly influences our hearts and minds. By choosing to listen wisely, we can ensure that we are guided by the truths of God rather than the misleading words of the world. Our ears can serve as gateways to wisdom and faith, setting us on a path towards understanding God more deeply.
Proverbs 1:33
“But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease without dread of disaster.” – Proverbs 1:33
James 1:19
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” – James 1:19
Proverbs 18:13
“If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” – Proverbs 18:13
Ecclesiastes 7:5
“It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.” – Ecclesiastes 7:5
Isaiah 50:4
“The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.” – Isaiah 50:4
As we navigate our spiritual journey, we should often seek to listen to the voice of God. Listening to God’s voice is a matter of being open and receptive to His guidance. Scripture encourages us to create quiet moments where we can draw nearer to Him and hear what He has to say. As we listen intently, we become better equipped to discern His will and direction for our lives. God’s voice includes encouragement, correction, and wisdom that shapes who we are called to be in His kingdom. The more we practice tuning into His voice, the more clarity and peace we will find in our daily lives.
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” – Psalm 46:10
John 10:27
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” – John 10:27
Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” – Revelation 3:20
Isaiah 30:21
“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” – Isaiah 30:21
Psalms 85:8
“Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.” – Psalms 85:8
We know that listening to wise counsel is an important aspect of our lives as believers. Surrounding ourselves with people who share faith and wisdom helps us grow and navigate through difficulties. The voices we choose to listen to have a significant impact on our decisions and perspectives. By seeking guidance from trusted friends, mentors, and spiritual leaders, we open our hearts to learning and growth. Wise counsel often helps correct our paths and encourages us to stay aligned with God’s purpose. Listening carefully to those who guide us can spare us from needless struggles and direct us to paths of righteousness and joy.
Proverbs 12:15
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” – Proverbs 12:15
Proverbs 19:20
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” – Proverbs 19:20
Proverbs 15:22
“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” – Proverbs 15:22
Proverbs 13:10
“By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.” – Proverbs 13:10
Proverbs 27:17
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
We must be vigilant about the messages we allow into our lives. Not all sounds are beneficial, and our spiritual health can be affected by the things we choose to listen to. Harmful messages may lead us away from God’s truth, creating confusion or distrust. By recognizing these negative influences, we can take a stand to protect our hearts and minds from things that can cause us harm. Filtering our thoughts and the media we consume helps us cultivate a spirit of discernment. We should strive to fill our lives with positive messages that build us up in faith and lead us closer to God.
Proverbs 4:23
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” – Proverbs 4:23
Galatians 5:7
“You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” – Galatians 5:7
Cphesians 4:29
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” – Cphesians 4:29
Psalm 101:3
“I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.” – Psalm 101:3
Proverbs 13:3
“Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” – Proverbs 13:3
Listening is also about cultivating a heart that desires to hear from God and others. A receptive heart allows us to grow in our faith and relationships. When our hearts are open, we will find ourselves better able to listen and learn. We grow closer to God and to our fellow believers, fostering unity and love. A heart prepared to listen helps in building strong communities where everyone feels heard and valued. The posture of our hearts greatly influences the quality of the relationships and experiences we create together. Let us commit ourselves to nurturing a heart that is eager to listen and engage.
Proverbs 2:2
“Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding.” – Proverbs 2:2
Matthew 11:15
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” – Matthew 11:15
1 Kings 3:9
“Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” – 1 Kings 3:9
James 1:22
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” – James 1:22
Proverbs 4:7
“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.” – Proverbs 4:7
Engaging in prayer is a powerful way to practice listening to God. Prayer is often seen as a one-way conversation where we speak our requests and desires to God; however, we must remember the importance of listening in prayer. Taking the time to sit quietly before the Lord allows us to hear His voice speak to our hearts. It is in these quiet moments that we gain clarity about our spiritual journey and receive guidance and peace. Listening during prayer is an act of faith that deepens our relationship with God, helping us better understand His plan for our lives. Let us approach our prayers with a heart willing to listen.
1 Samuel 3:10
“And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant hears.’” – 1 Samuel 3:10
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
Psalm 62:5
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.” – Psalm 62:5
Mark 1:35
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” – Mark 1:35
Psalms 37:7
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices.” – Psalms 37:7
Final Thoughts
Listening plays a vital role in our walk with Christ and in our daily interactions with others. It guides us to wisdom and helps shape our character. We’ve explored various dimensions of listening, such as hearing God’s voice, embracing wise counsel, avoiding harmful messages, and finding joy in prayer. Each aspect reminds us to be intentional about what we allow into our hearts.
As we continue to develop our ability to listen, we grow in faith and enrich our relationships. Let us remain committed to being good listeners, both to God and to those around us. By doing so, we create an environment filled with understanding and empathy.
If you desire to grow deeper in your walk, I encourage you to explore more topics to read, including Proverbs 4:20-23 and James 1:19-21. Keep your heart open, and may the words you choose to listen to draw you closer to the Lord.