What Are You Hearing?
Colossians 3:1-2, "If you then were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
As I read this scripture, I have to ask myself, "What is Paul trying to teach me through this writing to the Colossians?" I'm hearing, that from the moment we were born into this world, literally speaking, we've been given a death sentence. It all started, way back, when Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God and eating the fruit that would enlighten them to both good and evil.
If we stop and think about it, we could see that God gave us bodies equipped with desires. In the very beginning, with Adam and Eve, those desires were only for the good things. That was all they knew. Things that would uplift and build us up in a strong way. The desire for the good things would allow us to live and not die. I do not believe that death was even a part of the equation at that time.
When the knowledge of evil was brought into the mix, things changed. Satan knew that he could make evil desires mirror good desires. He made sure of that. From the moment he was discharged from Heaven, he's made it his assignment to deceive and lead God's greatest creation, we who are made in God's likeness and image, away from the grand life God had intended for us, to a place of death and torment.
We are made body, soul and spirit. I believe our bodies carry the desires it needs to keep us alive and nurtured. Because of the knowledge of evil it also carries the desires to feed it indulgences that bring unnatural comfort and pleasure, which in turn could cause us premature death.
When we listen with our soul (mind will and emotions), which only stays in touch with that which we see, hear, taste, smell and feel physically, we can easily be deceived into thinking that which is bad for us is good. As an example, let's consider some of the things we love to do that cause us to feel a sense of euphoria and comfort, but can cause premature death if left unchecked and without accountable measures in place, to keep us safe.
Speed. Many people love it because of the thrill it gives. However, one wrong move can bring premature death. Food. We need it, but in the right amounts with the right ingredients. Too much of a "good" comfort, food thing can, also, result in premature death. Trust. Be careful who or what you trust. Putting your trust in the wrong person, place or thing can bring great torment to our lives and yes, even premature death. These three things alone can give you an idea of what it's like to depend on our mind, will and emotions based only on what we are connected to, physically, in our 3D world. By using this measure, only, we can, easily, be deceived into believing evil is good and good is evil.
Paul had an answer to this dilemma. He is teaching us to include that which we can receive from the spirit of God into our minds, so we'd get our desires met in a way that would bring health and wholeness, peace and rest, and life in a more abundant way.
One question I hear a lot is, how do I hear God speak? How do my physical parts enter into a relationship with a spiritual God and Father? Paul taught the Romans, who at that time were a very physically minded people, to not be conformed to the world standards but instead be transformed by renewing their mind. In other words, hold loosely to that which is physical. Everything physical will eventually die. Grab onto that which is spiritual and from God, and renew your mind with it. That which is from God, spiritually, will be around forever.
So how do I retrain my brain to be able to become aware of a spiritual voice, somewhere, that wants to talk to me? My wife, Gail, came in from doing her morning devotions on the deck this week and handed me a list of things she heard while sitting there. It was a beautiful morning and after reading and prayer, she listened. Things she heard, individually, were birds chirping, traffic moving, wind blowing through her hair and face, a lawnmower running in the distance, leaves rustling on the trees, airplanes overhead and neighborhood dogs barking. These are common everyday things that we have a tendancy to take for granted. In fact, most of us would just hear everything put together in one mass and call it noise.
I thought to myself, this is a great exercise to be able to learn how to separate one great big noise into smaller increments, to learn how to hear each voice that's around us. I thought what a great way to begin to understand how to hear the voice of God, who is spirit.
The prophet Elijah understood this principle in 1 Kings19, when he was in a cave, afraid for his life, and God came to him and taught him how to find Him no matter what the circumstances. First came a fierce wind, then an earthquake and finally a fire but God could not be found in any of these physical manifestations. It was when Elijah heard a still, small voice that God was found.
Do you want to hear God speak to you? You need to get still and quiet before Him. You need to become aware of the different voices or sounds that want your attention, and learn how to separate them. Finally, it's when you hear that still small voice and words that match up with principles given to us, from His written word, that you'll hear God speak.
It's kind of like an analogy God gave me this morning. Can you hear a rabbit hopping across your lawn? I can't. It's not until you see it that you become aware of it. It's when it's physical presence comes into your mind's field of awareness. That's like hearing from Holy Spirit. You can't, necessarily, hear Him in a physical sense, although I've read accounts of those who say they have. It's as you settle your mind down and begin to search, to sort out the maze of things in it, that you can become aware of Holy Spirit's presence. It's in His presence that you are able to hear him speak to you. It's when you are intentional to find Him, that you will. It's when you desire Him that you can become aware of Him.
It's like the Psalmist wrote, "Be still my soul (mind, will and emotions) and know that He is God." He has some good things He wants you to hear. Be still, intentionally, to become aware of His presence. Listen, carefully, to what He has to say. He won't say anything contrary to what's already written in His word. He wants to give you greater understanding of this great adventure He's placed you in. Listen, for His voice. You'll be glad you did.