To Live Listening Not Knowing

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Today I want to tell you a story, give a testimony, and share a praise report with you. Circumstantially it is about our recent server transfer to a new host, but during this event I saw a principle of life that I experience daily. It sounds simple ­– and it is – but sometimes it’s not easy to live out. What is this principle? Living life listening not knowing.

The Principle of Listening NOT Knowing

The Principle of Listening NOT Knowing
The reason I was able to see this is because I was working with a friend and brother who functions in a similar way; he lives listening not knowing. When I live with the great “I know,” I thwart my ability to hear God. Knowing is deafness to His telling. When I go into any situation knowing what is to be done, I am not positioning my heart to hear the Lord’s direction. My knowing is deafness because knowing is telling, not listening or hearing. This is a travesty because it prevents me from enjoying His Life.

Jesus said to them, “I assure you that the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing.
John 5:19 PHILLIPS

Christ lived His Life listening to His Father. He did nothing that He didn’t see the Father doing. And what we know of Jesus, all He did was through listening not knowing. And today He wants to do the same through me.

Life isn’t about listening to do, per se; it is listening to activate my volitional will in order to be surrendered to His Will and Life. He wants my will yielded to His Will to choose His Will, not to perform His Will. Remember: Christ’s life as my life is His life in my life, and that’s not my life as His life, it’s HIM. My attentiveness to His voice by listening not knowing is for surrender, agreement, and volition –not doing. He is the Doer and I am the listener. I hear what He wants to do and how He wants to do it.

Example of Listening not Knowing

Example of Listening not Knowing
On to the server transfer example. The main work of the transfer was complete and it looked like it was all ease and friendliness. I even posted on Facebook just before going to bed to thank everyone for praying. It looked like the smoothest transition ever. But at 4 AM the next morning, I was quantifiably shown to be wrong. When I checked everything, it was all upside down. I was at a complete loss. I had no idea what to do! I just sat there, mind running a million miles an hour, trying to figure it out. “Who do I call? What do I do? Where do I start?”

“STEP AWAY FROM THE WEBSITES!”

I had to leave because I was running in with a load of potential solutions of what I could do, when I needed nothing but His Voice and Will. In the thick of the mayhem, I actually had to shut down my computer, get in the car, and drive to a place I could park and stare.

When I came back to the computer, I had a new sense of purpose. I was able to systematically dismantle the issues. And when I needed a running mate, my friend jumped in with the same listening not knowing approach. This isn’t an anomaly; this is Jesus’ intended approach for us. Christ lived this way when He was on this earth and now He wishes to live this way in us as well.

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Pauline
5 years ago

Yes, John, I know this too well — when I’m caught by God thinking (as a Pharisee): “I’m glad I’m not like her,” and for me it’s pride. It is the thing that makes me judge others without knowing the full story. It is the thing that makes me see one side but not the other. It is the thing that makes me consider others’ sin at a moments notice, while missing my own. But when I go to God with this, so often He will show me that person’s pain or His love running through their life. I think… Read more »

Admin
5 years ago
Reply to  Pauline

It’s really about all of life isn’t it Pauline. How we deal with people, how we conduct our lives, and they way we see everything. It is an all-inclusive proposition. I praise Him for His mercy, grace and most of all Life to live this. Thank you for your comment, hoping you and Stephen are well! Love you!

Jacob Evans
5 years ago

I have lived my whole life knowing rather than listening. I have moved on what I have thought was right rather than listening to God for His will. It wasn’t like I actively refused His will outright, so I think, but I just went on autopilot. This post has so exposed me. Thank you, I need it.

Melissa
5 years ago
Reply to  Jacob Evans

I have to say that is me too. But I have to admit, sometimes I am more willful than negligent by just moving rather than spend the time to wait on Him. Lord have mercy!

Admin
5 years ago
Reply to  Melissa

I am just jealous to see the Lord as He will express Himself through us. I don’t want to miss Him, whether through willfulness, negligence, or ignorance. The adventure of life is His Life! Bless you both for your comments.

Evelyn Roberts
5 years ago
Reply to  shulamite

I remember somewhere that Martha said, “I have never met anything in this life but the jealousy of God.” This is obviously what you are talking about. Makes me swoon and tremble at the same time.

Admin
5 years ago
Reply to  Evelyn Roberts

Yes for sure! I love that quote, thank you for remembering it and sharing it here. Bless you Evelyn!

For more on this check out the Message of the Month from March. It is amazing and right on target with this whole post and dialog!

https://livingchristianbooks.com/mighty-jealousy-of-god-mp3

Wanda
5 years ago

Last night our pastor spoke about making decisions, and the consequences of our choices. He challenged us to give it all to the Lord and let HIM make the decision. We have to shut up so we can hear His direction, Love you John Have a blessed day.

Admin
5 years ago
Reply to  Wanda

Thank you Wanda, love you too! Silence is golden, huh?! Thanks for commenting, always love to hear from you.

Rob Martinez
5 years ago

Thank you John, great timing for me as God is sending me into a new season. I pray I always keep this principle deep, down in my heart. God bless you my friend!

Admin
5 years ago
Reply to  Rob Martinez

Thank you Rob! I will pray this for you right along with my prayers for myself. Grace, Lord Jesus! Bless you too, Rob! Thank you for commenting!

William
5 years ago

This is what I have been praying for the Lord to develop in me. ?

Admin
5 years ago
Reply to  William

I stand with you as I stand for myself, Jesus Your Life and Light. May this be Your reality in William and I.

sue
5 years ago

Bless God for His help and for your listening ear: John 3:21 AMP: “But he who practices truth (who does what is right) comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—–wrought with God (divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence upon HIM)
When going back to read Martha’s devotion and all the scriptures, I went on to read verse 21 WOW, this describes exactly what John has shared in this post. Thank you for giving me such another clear picture of “MY knowing is deafness” to hearing!!!!! LOVE YOU

Admin
5 years ago
Reply to  sue

Love you too Sue. Great scripture. Thank you for sharing and posting this. Letting is Listening…hmmmmm?!

andrea
5 years ago

live listening ……. such a good word …..
so appreciative of all you do, while listening!

Admin
5 years ago
Reply to  andrea

Bless you Andrea! Big love!

tammy
5 years ago

Prayers answered.
Praise His Holy Name!

Admin
5 years ago
Reply to  tammy

Thank you so much Tammy for praying! Bless and love you!