Quiet Listening

Anita Delene Manthe
Dec 8, 2017
3 min read

Shutting out noise and distractions in our environment is often necessary for many. We need to do this to silence the relentless chatter and controversies of the world around us, and for many it’s the antagonistic words in personal relationships. Let’s face it, family life can be hard. It can be doubly hard when you’re a Christian and no-one else in your family is.

They may claim to be saved, but their lives are worldly – yours is not. They do not understand anything about you, and you can’t explain the difference. It’s not that you don’t want to, it’s that you’ve learned the wisdom of being quiet – of not discussing anything Biblical with them. Time has allowed you to know their interests and considerations are far apart from yours. You are judged by their standards, and they consider you negatively because you don’t live as they do. And, the Bible, well they don’t think it is applicable to life. They believe being in the world calls for us to be more like it. Religion is private, and Biblical living should be the same – practiced privately – in isolation from society, and should not cause you to be different to the world around you.

If this is true where you live, in your home, at work, and even in your church, it is time to stop

listening to the noise their accusations are. Don’t allow the unrelenting clamor to distract you from your walk with the Lord. Shut them out! Create ways and means to filter involvement with them, with their words, and their manner of life.

However, when you do this consider one very important thing … what are you listening to? What are you focusing on and in to allow the quietness you are called to experience to be sufficient and satisfying to your fellowship needs? Can you find satisfaction and contentment in quiet listening? When all your communing responses are the inaudible voice of love, mercy, and care rested in your soul? Is quiet listening enough?

If not, you are in danger. Great danger!

You can’t shut out the noise of your environment without drawing closer to listen quietly to the soft whispering voice of the Lord.

Train your heart, your mind and your soul to listen quietly and attentively to the subtle, quiet voice of the Lord.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:1-4).
Take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. (Psalm 51:11-12).
The LORD then passed in front of him and called out, "I, the LORD, am a God who is full of compassion and pity, who is not easily angered and who shows great love and faithfulness. I keep my promise for thousands of generations and forgive evil and sin; but I will not fail to punish children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation for the sins of their parents." Moses quickly bowed down to the ground and worshiped. He said, "Lord, if you really are pleased with me, I ask you to go with us. These people are stubborn, but forgive our evil and our sin, and accept us as your own people (Exodus 34:6-9).