Active listening? Passive listening?

What is your attitude when you hear a message at church, read a Christian book, or listen to a Christian podcast?

The Bereans showed us what our attitude should be.

The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:11)

What did they do?

1. They listened eagerly. They wanted to hear from God.

2. They examined the Scriptures for themselves to see if what the speakers were saying was true.

Do we do the same?

When we read or hear God’s word, do we come with a spirit of expectation that God will speak? And are our hearts, minds, and bodies prepared to hear from him? Or are we tired or distracted by other things?

Do we merely accept what the speakers or authors we listen to or read say? Or do we carefully compare what they say to what the Bible says?

Even more importantly, do we make his word a daily part of our lives?

When God speaks to our hearts through his word, do we put it into practice, or do we quickly forget it all? (Quick! Try to remember what last Sunday’s message was about!)

What is your attitude when it comes to God’s word?

Don’t get me wrong. My purpose is not to make you feel guilty by all of this.

The good news is that even when we fail in these things, God is there to pick us up. It is because we often fail, that Jesus died for us.

But it would be good for us to remember the words of Jesus.

Therefore take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him. (Luke 8:18)