“Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” John 8:43-47
Children imitate their parents. Children learn much of their behaviors from their surrounding immediate family. Whom do you imitate? Who are you listening to? Who is shaping your character and intent? What is coming from your mouth? This passage can very convicting if one is really honest with themselves. What keeps us from hearing the “words of God”? Which behavior, idea, and thoughts have you agreed with that suppress your ability to ‘hear’ the still small voice of the Holy Spirit within you. Bitterness? Resentment? Unforgiveness? Stubbornness? Pride? Fear? Lust (discontentedness)? Are you thinking more of yourself than you ought to? Wanting to do only what you want to do? Are you set in your opinion and refuse to listen to anything contrary? Does the truth hurt you when you hear it? Are you quick to admit that you don’t know? Are you quick to humbly ask the Holy Spirit what the truth of the matter is? Can you ‘hear’ the truth about yourself? Are you constantly denying what the Holy Spirit is speaking to you in your innermost heart?
“Oh… this can’t be me. I go to church services every Sunday. I tithe. I read a chapter in the Bible everyday. I say grace before each meal.” We all have our little religious habits. But what does our heart really say to God? Are we lying to ourselves? Are we trying to justify that we are ‘good’? Or that our opinion is always the right one? God looks at the ‘heart’ of a person. You can fool yourself but you can’t fool God.
Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom. Song of Solomon 2:15
It’s the small things that keep us from bearing the fruit God wants us to produce. It’s the little offenses, the tiniest lies, the smallest things that corrupt our innermost being. A tender heart is quick to repent, forgive others, and be humble and admit our mistakes and sin. Do you surrender quickly to the convicting ‘Word’ from the Holy Spirit? Do you agree with the Truth the Holy Spirit is saying about you? If you can’t hear Him … there is a problem.
Lord Jesus… help us! Holy Spirit we confess YOU are right! Forgive us of our sin and iniquities! We need YOU! Open our spiritual ears once again to hear YOUR voice. We want YOU more than we want ourselves. Father … YOU are good. Help us to be like YOUR son Jesus. Holy Spirit speak to us … we are listening. We don’t want to be deaf to what YOU are saying to us!