Readings: Ezekiel 33:7-9
Psalm 95:1-2,6-9
Romans 13:8-10
Luke 6:1-5
Listening is by far the most difficult thing to do. Why?
EGO - We presume that we know what we are doing.
SELF-ESTEEM - We do not want to be humiliated
TRUST – It is difficult to trust others
SUPERIORITY COMPLEX – We feel superior to others
BAD ENERGY STAY FAR AWAY – We do not want to hear negative report and spoil our good mood.
You are correct for choosing not to listen for these reasons. But a lot of goodwill and support is lost in our attempt to look out for ourselves. Ironically, we want to be heard by others. We want to freely voice our opinions. This is because speech gives us visibility (it is the reason, we make calls, send chat messages and post on our statuses and stories!). As Christians, we have a prophetic mission to speak in order to direct one another to the right path. Silence in the face of evil is highly unacceptable. In your prophetic voice, you ought to be:
The mirror of feedback for others
The cloak of shame that covers other's mistakes
The tongue of affirmation to elevate them
The arm of encouragement to uplift them
The eyes of mercy that forgive them
The voice of reason to conscientise them
The feet of urgency to assist them
The arm of protection to defend them
The heart of love to understand and be there for them.
The healing balm to heal their malice and unbelief
If you are all these things for others, you will receive the same love in return. St Paul reminds us in: Romans 13:10 – “All the commandments...Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbour; that is why it is the answer to every one of the commandments.” You must give love in order to receive love. Correcting others when they go astray should be a loving act. The problem with correcting others is often about the "how" more than the "what". So, bear the following things in mind before you say anything to anyone:
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said." ~ Voltaire
"Before you speak, listen. Before you write, think. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try. Before you die, give." ~ William Arthur Ward
"Let nothing be said about anyone unless it passes through the three sieves: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?" ~ Amy Carmichael
"Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another." ~ Napoleon Hill
"Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret." ~ Ambrose Bierce
If you are not sure of what the other person has done or their reason for doing it, ask questions (mouth no dey pain you!)
JUDE MARY OWOH
Prayer:
Our Heavenly Father, open my ears to hear Your voice and dispose my heart to listen to You amidst the noise of the world.
Give me courage to confront myself, correct my mistakes and make progress speedily in every aspect of my life through Christ our Lord.
Lord, you know I love you and my heart is totally offered up to you. Keep me conscious of your presence in and around me. When tests, trials and temptations come, help me to stand on your promise that never fails through Christ our Lord.
O Lord visit afresh, all Christian homes with Your mercy and love, let there be deep, great, and mighty deliverance and transformation, in Jesus name.
Father, grant unto the body of Christ the mind of Christ, forgiving spirit, tolerance, genuine repentance, genuine charity, understanding, submissiveness, humility, brokenness, watchfulness and the mind to commend others better than ourselves, in Jesus name.
Father let our leaders see their role in government as a calling, instead of an opportunity to amass government wealth, in Jesus name.
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