#5 in Proverbs / Learn to Listen

The Way of Wisdom: Learning to Listen

Key Texts:

Prov 1:5

Prov 1:8

Prov 2:2

Prov 8:33

Introduction

The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was 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 till 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."

Jokes aside, failing to listen, have has started wars, divided kingdoms, broken up families, split churches, and destroyed lives. One keen example from Scripture comes from the life of Rehoboam, son of Solomon and last king of the United Kingdom of Israel. At his coronation, the people of the ten northern tribes pleaded with Rehoboam to reduce the taxes Solomon had levied. Rehoboam had two sets of counselors, older men and younger men. The elders advised him to comply with their wishes and reduce the tax burden: “If you will be kind to this people...they will be your servants forever. The young men gave much different advice: “This is what you should say to them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! Now therefore, my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, but I will add to your yoke: my father disciplined you with whips, but I, with barbed wires.’”

I’ll bet you can guess which advice Rehoboam took. His failure to listen cost him and all of Israel the United Kingdom.

What will failing to listen cost you? It could cost you your job, family, or even your life.

It’s ironic that Rehoboam’s failure to listen well came in spite of the fact the Proverbs was written specifically for him. The book of Proverbs details for us how to listen well.

What is Listening?

Respect

Listening is more than paying attention, but not lesss.

This is what humility looks like.

I was reminded of this recently when my wife started yelling, “You aren’t even listening to me, are you?!” And I thought, “What a strange way to start a conversation?”

When you listen to someone, you show them respect.

Obedience

Hearing becomes listening when you take action on what you’ve heard.

Illustration: “Bridge out ahead...” “I’ll be fine!”

Examples: Noah, Abram, Moses

Applications:

Don’t date/marry that person. They don’t love the Lord!

Stop drinking / drugs! They’re going to destroy you.

Lose weight before you get diabetes.

Do you possess the qualities required to be a listener? You must cultivate respect, humility, and obedience.

Who should you listen to?

God has placed into your life people that He expects you to listen to.

Ultimately this is because you are not God. God is the only Person who does not need to listen to anyone.

Because you are a human being, you are not right all of the time.

Funny: I heard someone say, “My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I’m right!”

Note: Even the Lord Jesus Christ, when He was growing in the flesh, humbled Himself and listened.

So who are these God-given authorities and influences you should listen to?

The LORD...ie, His Word, the Bible

Parents

Elders / wiser folks

Pastor

Anyone offering constructive correction

Irony: bubbles

Why should you listen?

Quality of life

Going through life wrong is tough. Listen to those who love you. Listen to the Word of God. Listen to good advice.

Life

“Whoever listens to you [gospel bearers] listens to Me” (Lk 10:16).

“My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me” (Jn 10:27).

Conclusion / Applications

Parents: teach your children to listen. If you allow your children to ignore you, then you are training them to ignore God.

Those in the “authority” position: don’t be afraid of your authority. It’s from God. Don’t abuse it; neither must you run from it.

All: if listening = obedience, how’re you doing?