A lot of times I wondered how to follow God’s instructions. Following God seems like it should be simple, do what He says and it will be fine. If only it were that simple. Many things can get in the way of doing what God says. Distractions are plentiful. But the first step in following God’s instructions is to ensure we are hearing from God. Let’s look at Proverbs 4:20-27 to guide us.
My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.
Proverbs 4:20
Hear
We first must turn our ears to His words. His word is scripture. All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
We can compare all thoughts against the scripture to ensure that we are really hearing from God. If what we heard doesn’t give life and health or train in righteousness, then we can rest assured that it was not God. If what you heard aligns with the scripture then you’re hearing from God. This begs the question, who and what are we listening to? What’s in our hearts?
Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:21-23
Heart
When we listen to His words we can then keep them within our heart. There’s a promise here. Keeping God’s word within our hearts is life and health to our whole body. In Matthew Jesus said out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. That’s why it’s important to guard our hearts. It’s the key to life and health. Everything we do flows from it. A tree is determined by its fruit. What is the overflow of our heart saying? What fruit is coming out of our mouths?
Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
Proverbs 4:24-25
Speak and See
When the heart is full of what God says, then the flow will be righteous, good, and full of hope. It will be free from perversity and corrupt talk. Then, you’ll see clearly the straight path. What you say affects what you see. If you speak things of God, you will see and clearly follow things of God. There is power of life and death in the tongue. Those who love its use will eat its fruit. Look around. Can you see life?
What are the people around you saying? Are they speaking the truth? For instance, have you ever turned down the radio so you can see clearly where to go? Or stopped talking in order to concentrate better. Our mouths can distract us from what we need to see. How do we view ourselves and others? What have our mouths said that will make us view things differently than they are?
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Provers 4:26-27
Walk Righteously
When we see clearly, we can then place our feet firmly on the path God has for us. We will be sure of the way to go and won’t have a need to turn in any direction except towards God. However, it all starts with hearing from God. Our hearing impacts the entire body. If we don’t hear correctly, then it’s a slippery slope to not being on the path God laid out for us. So, let’s take out time and ensure we are hearing from God by studying the scriptures.
Thanks for joining me on my journey through singleness
Kim
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