AUDIO PODCAST

SUMMARY

Here are the main points:

• Hearing God is crucial to the Christian faith. The sources emphasize that hearing God is not just a physical act but a spiritual one that involves actively receiving, understanding, and responding to His message. This concept is captured in the Hebrew word shama, which denotes hearing, understanding, and obeying.
• Examples from Scripture: The Bible provides examples to illustrate the importance of hearing God:
  • Simeon: Simeon’s name means “he has heard,” and his life is a model of active listening and patient waiting for the Messiah.
  • Simon (Peter): Peter’s journey highlights that learning to hear God is a process. Initially, he struggled, but eventually, he became a key figure in the Church after aligning his heart with Jesus’ voice.
  • Samuel: Samuel’s story, in contrast to King Saul’s, shows the consequences of failing to wait for God’s answer. Samuel exemplifies obedience and trust in God’s timing, while Saul’s impatience leads to his downfall.
• There are four types of hearers, as described in the Parable of the Sower. These hearers are represented by different types of soil:
  • The Path: Those who hear but do not understand.
  • The Rocky Ground: Those who hear with joy but fall away in times of trouble.
  • The Thorns: Those who hear but are choked by worldly concerns.
  • The Good Soil: Those who hear, retain, and persevere, producing a bountiful harvest.
• How to develop the ability to hear God. Key practices include:
  • Cultivating a listening heart by waiting on the Lord, setting aside distractions, and practicing stillness.
  • Responding in obedience to what is heard, recognizing that this is an ongoing process.
  • Meditating on God’s Word to internalize it and align oneself with His will.
  • Seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to discern God’s voice.

The sources conclude by emphasizing that hearing God is the foundation of faith and the key to spiritual growth. By learning to truly listen and obey, individuals can experience God’s salvation and walk in the fullness of His promises.

ACTIVE LISTENING: MORE THAN HEARING

In Luke 8, Jesus emphasizes the critical importance of hearing:

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear [listen]” (Luke 8:8).

In Luke 8:8, the Greek word for “hear” is ἀκούω (akouō), which can also be translated as “listen” depending on the context. The word akouō encompasses more than just the act of hearing sounds—it implies actively receiving, understanding, and responding to what is heard.

In English, “hear” often conveys passive perception (e.g., “I heard a noise“), while “listen” suggests an active engagement with what is being said (e.g., “I listened carefully to the instructions“). Therefore, “listen” can be a valid translation here if the goal is to emphasize the intentional and attentive response that Jesus is calling for in the verse.

When Jesus says:

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear“ (Luke 8:8),

He is not simply speaking about the physical ability to hear sound but urging His audience to listen attentively and respond to the deeper spiritual truths He is teaching i.e.

“He who has ears to hear, let him listen.”

In fact, this aligns well with the Hebrew concept of שָׁמַע (shama), which also implies both hearing and obeying. In this context, translating “hear” as “listen” captures the active engagement Jesus is calling for. The emphasis is on receptivity and action—listening with the intent to understand and apply.

Example of Luke 8:8 with “Listen”:

“He who has ears to listen, let him listen.”

This rendering highlights the need for more than mere auditory perception—it calls for attentiveness and readiness to act on what is heard.

Hearing in the context of Luke 8:8 is far more than a physical act. It represents spiritual perception and the readiness to obey God’s word. Hearing leads to transformation, fruitfulness, and alignment with God’s will.

But what does it mean to truly hear? To grasp this, we must look deeper into the interconnected threads of Scripture, weaving together the names Simeon, Simon, Samuel and the Hebrew word shama (שָׁמַע), which means “to hear, listen, and obey.”

THE CALL OF SIMEON AND SIMON

Simeon: The One Who Waited to Hear

The name Simeon (שִׁמְעוֹן) comes directly from shama, meaning “he has heard.” Simeon in Luke 2 is a profound example of someone who lived up to his name. He “was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him” (Luke 2:25). Simeon’s life demonstrates that hearing is not passive but active, requiring patient trust and discernment.

Simeon had ears to hear the Spirit’s voice. When the time came, he entered the temple at precisely the right moment to encounter the Christ child. His hearing led to fulfilment, allowing him to declare:

“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation” (Luke 2:29-30).

This is reminiscent of the verse:

“Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.” (Exodus 14:13)

Moses spoke these words to the Israelites as they stood trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s advancing army. In their fear and panic, God called them to stop striving, to be still, and to trust in His deliverance. Similarly, in Luke 8, Jesus calls us to hear, listen, and respond to His Word, promising that doing so will lead to fruitfulness and victory.

This principle echoes throughout Scripture: stillness and attentive hearing open the door for God to act. The Israelites had to stand still and trust God’s command before they could walk forward into their deliverance. Likewise, we must quiet our hearts, listen to His voice, and trust His promises if we want to experience His salvation and provision.

As Psalm 46:10 declares:

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

True hearing and stillness lead to a deeper knowledge of God and His faithfulness. When we quiet our striving and listen to His voice, we will see His power at work and His glory revealed in our lives.

This reveals a vital truth: hearing God enables us to see His salvation in our lives. Simeon heard and obeyed, and his faith was rewarded.

Simon Peter: The One Who Learned to Hear

Simon Peter’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of hearing. The name Simon (Σίμων) is the Greek form of Simeon, also rooted in shama. While Simeon’s hearing was steadfast from the start, Simon Peter had to learn how to hear.

When Jesus first called Peter, He said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Simon heard the call and followed, but his understanding was incomplete. Throughout the Gospels, Peter’s impulsiveness often overshadowed his ability to listen.

Yet, Peter’s story demonstrates that hearing God is a process. After the resurrection, Jesus restored Peter by asking three times, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:15-17). This exchange wasn’t just about words; it was about aligning Peter’s heart with Jesus’ voice. Hearing God transformed Simon into Peter, the rock upon which the Church was built.

SAMUEL: THE COST OF NOT WAITING FOR GOD’S ANSWER

The story of Samuel in the Bible offers a powerful lesson in listening, waiting, and trusting God’s timing. Samuel’s name itself—Shemuel (שְׁמוּאֵל)—means “God has heard” or “God listens.” His life and ministry revolve around the importance of listening to God and responding to His voice, but it is the story of King Saul that particularly underscores the consequences of failing to wait for God’s answer.

In 1 Samuel 13, Saul, the first king of Israel, is faced with a pressing situation. The Philistines are assembling for battle, and Saul’s army is growing restless. Samuel, who had been the prophet and judge over Israel, had instructed Saul to wait for him at Gilgal for seven days before offering a sacrifice to seek God’s favour. Samuel would then give further instructions for the battle. However, as the days passed and Saul’s troops began to scatter in fear, Saul took matters into his own hands. Desperate for divine intervention and unable to wait any longer, Saul offered the sacrifice himself, breaking the command to wait for Samuel.

In the midst of Saul’s act of disobedience, Samuel arrived and rebuked him for his impatience. Samuel said,

“You have done a foolish thing. You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you []you didn’t listen]; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure” (1 Samuel 13:13-14, NIV).

By failing to wait for God’s timing and not trusting in the process, Saul forfeited the kingdom. His disobedience, born out of a lack of patience, directly led to the rejection of his kingship and the anointing of David as the future king.

This moment in Saul’s life highlights a critical truth: impatience in waiting for God’s answer can have long-term consequences. Saul’s inability to wait for Samuel’s word and offer the sacrifice at the right time cost him everything. He failed to honour the divine process, choosing to act out of fear, self-reliance, and impulsiveness.

How often do we do the same? How often do we find ourselves in situations where we are waiting for God’s answer, but in our impatience or fear, we take matters into our own hands? Like Saul, we may feel the pressure of time, the fear of losing control, or the desire for a quick resolution. And yet, in these moments, God calls us to wait, to listen, and to trust in His perfect timing.

The cost of not waiting for God’s answer is not always immediately obvious, but just as Saul’s kingdom was forfeited, we too may lose out on the fullness of what God has planned for us when we fail to patiently abide. We forfeit peace, we forfeit clarity, and we forfeit the deep, transformative relationship that comes from truly listening and waiting for God’s voice.

In contrast, Samuel’s life stands as a model of obedience to God’s voice. His very name means “God listens,” and his life reflected a deep commitment to listening and waiting on God. Samuel was called as a child to serve God and immediately responded with a heart ready to hear:

“Speak, for your servant is listening”

(1 Samuel 3:10). Unlike Saul, Samuel waited and trusted in God’s timing, even when the outcome was uncertain.

As we navigate our own challenges, may we remember the lesson of Samuel and Saul. Like Samuel, we are called to listen attentively, to wait on God’s timing, and to trust that God’s answers, though they may come in His perfect time, will always be worth the wait. By choosing patience and abiding in God’s presence, we avoid the costly mistakes that come from acting prematurely. Ultimately, God’s timing is always aligned with His perfect will, and the answer we receive when we wait on Him will bring peace, clarity, and fulfilment.

THE HEART OF HEARING: SHAMA

The Hebrew word shama (שָׁמַע) goes beyond mere listening. It encompasses hearing, understanding, and obeying. In Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema prayer declares:

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

This foundational command calls God’s people to a life of attentive devotion. To shama is to hear with the intent to act. Jesus affirms this in Luke 8:21:

“My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

True hearing is inseparable from obedience. Without action, hearing becomes hollow.

The Command to Listen not only Hear

Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly calls His people to shama. For example:

• “If you will indeed obey [shama] My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession” (Exodus 19:5).
• “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28).

God’s promises are closely linked to our readiness to hear and respond. In fact, we can say that “active listening” not only creates space for God to speak, but also leads to a deeper experience of His presence and the fulfilment of His promises.

HEARING, AKOUO, AND FAITH: THE ROLE OF RHEMA IN ROMANS 10:17

In Romans 10:17, Paul writes,

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

This verse underscores the vital role that hearing plays in the development of faith. To understand the depth of this connection, it’s important to examine the Greek word akouo (ἀκούω), translated as “hearing” in this passage, and its relationship with faith and rhema.

The Greek word akouo means “to hear” in the general sense, but it also carries a deeper connotation of attentive listening—actively receiving, understanding, and responding to what is heard. This kind of hearing goes beyond simply perceiving sound; it implies a conscious engagement with the message being communicated. In this context, akouo suggests that hearing is not just a passive experience, but an active one that involves receiving and responding to God’s Word.

Faith, as Paul teaches, comes through this kind of hearing—hearing the rhema of Christ. The word rhema (ῥῆμα) refers to a specific, spoken word or utterance, distinct from logos, which is the broader, written or complete Word of God. While logos encompasses the entire revelation of God’s will and truth, rhema represents the living, spoken Word that is applied personally to the hearer. It is through hearing the rhema—the living Word of God—that faith is awakened in the heart of the believer.

In Romans 10:17, Paul is emphasizing that faith is not generated by hearing a general message or simply reading Scripture, but by hearing a personal, rhema word from God. This personal, divine message stirs faith in the listener, moving them to believe and act according to God’s will. Just as Jesus emphasized in Luke 8:8 with the call to “hear” (or listen) attentively, the faith that grows through hearing is one that requires an intentional, receptive heart. It is not enough to merely hear the words; one must listen, receive, and respond to them in faith.

This aligns with the Hebrew concept of shama, which means to hear with the intent to obey. To shama is to actively engage with the message and respond with action. Similarly, when we hear the rhema word of God, we are called to respond in faith and obedience. The act of hearing becomes the catalyst for spiritual transformation, as the rhema of Christ brings faith into our hearts.

Thus, akouo and rhema in Romans 10:17 are intimately connected. True hearing—the kind of hearing that leads to faith—is not just about auditory perception, but about engaging with God’s Word in a way that stirs our hearts to trust and obey. This kind of faith is alive and dynamic, born from an intimate, personal encounter with the Word of God that speaks directly to our hearts and calls us to action.

THE WORD OF THE LORD WAS SCARCE: A LESSON FROM SAMUEL’S STORY

In 1 Samuel 3:1, we encounter a striking statement:

“The word of the Lord was rare (or scarce) in those days; there was no widespread revelation.”

The Hebrew word translated as “word” is dābār (דָּבָר).

This word carries rich meaning, referring not only to spoken words but also to matters, actions, or decrees. It signifies something substantive—a communication that carries weight and authority. In the context of this passage, dābār Yahweh (דְּבַר יְהוָה) points to divine communication: God’s revealed will and His direct interaction with His people.

The scarcity of the dābār in Samuel’s time speaks to more than the absence of words—it highlights a lack of active divine engagement and revelation. God was not communicating openly with His people because their hearts were far from Him. Without the dābār of the Lord, the people lacked guidance, vision, and spiritual sustenance.

Additionally, the Hebrew root of dābār (ד־ב־ר) carries the connotation of “order” or “arrangement,” as in arranging words to create meaning or organizing events according to a purpose. This root emphasizes that God’s word is not random; it is intentional, creative, and authoritative. When God speaks, His words bring order out of chaos (Genesis 1:3) and establish His plans (Isaiah 55:11). Thus, the scarcity of the dābār in Samuel’s day signified a void of divine order, direction, and purpose among the people.

THE WORD IS STILL SCARCE

In a sense, the “word of the Lord” remains scarce today—not because God is silent, but because many are not listening. The Bible, as the written word of God, is abundant and accessible, but its power is unlocked only when we engage with it actively, allowing God to speak into our lives. Faith isn’t a passive process; it requires hearing God’s voice, receiving it with an open heart, and acting on it.

When the logos (written word) becomes a rhēma (personal revelation), it sparks faith. The Bible is not merely a historical account of God’s actions; it is a living voice waiting to be heard. Samuel’s story reminds us of the importance of creating space for that voice—whether through prayer, meditation on Scripture, or a willingness to respond like Samuel, saying, “Here I am.”

In closing, just as the word of the Lord called Samuel out of spiritual barrenness, it calls us out of complacency today. Faith comes not by passively observing what God has done but by actively listening to what He is saying now.

THE FOUR TYPES OF HEARERS IN LUKE 8

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus describes four types of hearers:

1. The Path – Those who hear but don’t understand, allowing the enemy to steal the word. Their ears are closed.
2. The Rocky Ground – Those who hear with joy but fall away when trials come. They stop listening.
3. The Thorns – Those who hear but are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures. Those who listen to everything but God’s word.
4. The Good Soil – Those who hear, retain, and persevere, producing a bountiful harvest. Those who intentionally listen and protect the word within (Genesis 2:15).

Each soil represents a heart condition. Only the good soil produces fruit, because it combines hearing with obedience. This parable challenges us to examine our hearts: Are we truly listening to God?

HOW TO DEVELOP HEARING EARS

CONCLUSION: HEARING AS THE FOUNDATION OF FAITH

Hearing is the beginning of faith and the foundation of our relationship with God. From Simeon’s patient waiting to Simon Peter’s transformative journey, Scripture shows us that shama—hearing and obeying—is the key to spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

Jesus calls us to be good soil, ready to hear and act on His word. Let us, like Simeon and Simon, incline our ears to His voice and respond with faithful obedience. In doing so, we will see His salvation and walk in the fullness of His promises.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• How does actively hearing God’s voice lead to spiritual growth and transformation?
• What are the key differences between passive hearing and active listening in the context of faith?
• What are the practical steps we can take to develop their ability to hear and respond to God’s voice?