Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was being said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, “I murdered my grandmother this morning.” The guests responded with phrases like, “Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir.” It was not until the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Nonplussed, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, “I’m sure she had it coming.”
We have all from time to time fit into both categories. The one not being listened to or the one not listening. The fact is that we cannot have “good relationships” unless we are able to effectively communicate. This is true in our relationships with one another and its especially true concerning our relationship with God.
In Acts 7:51-54 we find two main reasons that a person does not hear or listen. The FIRST is quite simple, we become distracted or preoccupied with our own thoughts. The SECOND is what we see in the scripture text. Stephen is preaching to the “stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears.” We do often do not like what we are hearing because it draws us to conviction, therefore we tune it out.
As Gods children we must listen to Him ‘effectively;’ There are three “Cs” to effective communication.
1. COMPREHEND and understand what is being said, this is actual hearing.
2. Have CONFIDENCE and trust in what is being said, and in the messenger.
3. Allow what is being said effectively CHANGE you in some way; In understanding, sympathy, or conviction.
Therefore, when we listen to God’s word; we should COMPREHEND it; have CONFIDENCE in it and allow it to CHANGE us. Proverbs 14:12 states, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” We must know what GOD and HIS WORD says, not relying on a sales pitch or the whimsical ideas of others. Let today be the day we HEAR HIS WORD and DO IT and become an effective listener.