Small children will sometimes pick what they want to hear from a sentence and disregard the rest. A mom will tell her child that if she picks up her toys there will be a cookie for her. She hears the cookie part but totally ignores the instruction part. Unfortunately we are all guilty of the same things. Many of us hear what we want to hear but selective listening comes with a consequence.
Selective listening causes us to overlook the obvious and we miss out on blessings. Take for example the media. Media is focused mainly on exposing that which is ridiculous or anger provoking. Unfortunately in their ploy to get more viewers they overlook the positive that goes on. Many people see the news and negative things as the only option because that’s all they ever report. If people select to listen only to the media as their source of news without considering the Bible eventually the media will dictate what to believe.
The world offers many conveniences and exemptions from getting involved. While it looks inviting others take over behind our backs and we are slapped with consequences we never expected. It takes effort to stand for our beliefs and time to study the Bible and attend church, but the ads and feel good motivations lure us away from doing what needs to be done.
When we take a look at the spiritual aspect of selective listening we quickly see empty pews in the churches. Many have closed their doors due to lack of interest. People flock to motivational speakers on Sundays and there is no involvement required. There is no choir but a paid band who does the singing and instrumentals for us. There is no Sunday School that requires anyone to study to present a lesson. The sermon presentations are ones that make people feel ok to kick back and do nothing, yet the media and people in need of power are taking over without us even being aware.
A man once said there are two voices within each of us. One being the devil that encourages us to do wrong or nothing at all. The other voice is a silent peaceful one that gives wise counsel. It’s a continuous battle but we determine the winner of the battle by the voice we obey. God will truly take care of those seeking His face and have a desire to do His will. He listens to our prayers and takes care of us, even in the midst of destruction. It matters who and what we listen to in life and it matters if we choose not to participate.
Matthew 7:24 New Living Translation (NLT)
Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.
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