After a time of worship - praying and singing in the Spirit - I saw how I’d been judging others and how it was affecting my prayer life. I had the unfortunate opportunity to see Matthew 7:1, 2 – in myself.
‘Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged…’
I work in Customer Service for a high-end luxury department store. When customers call, looking for help or wanting solutions, they tend to talk and not listen. They go on and on about their issue, instead of simply stating the problem, then allowing me to access the issue and provide quick answers to their questions; which sometimes, may involve me having to ask other questions, so that I can come up with a viable solution. But much of the time, when asked, they – out of either pride or frustration – go into their whole spiel again; thinking that I don’t understand because I asked a question. But really, I’m gathering information so that I can best resolve their issue. Only now, they feel the need to re-explain their issue which results in me having to re-ask the question; which if they’re humble or calm, they’ll answer it - simply, or they’ll talk and talk and talk and talk and talk; giving me more information than I need. In both instances, I usually think to myself, ‘Shut up and let me answer your question! This is why you called me, but you’re talking the entire time.’ But they go on and on and on while I think, ‘This could go a lot quicker if you’d just be quiet.’ Which is what God was saying to me. I could get the answers I needed a lot quicker, if I’d just do the same. Then I had an aha moment.
Do You Want to Talk or Do You Want Answers?
Though I’ve been praying in the Spirit (in tongues), I’ve been doing too much talking - out of my spirit - and not enough listening with my spirit. And if you have ears to hear, this is what God is saying to you. Though you’re praying, you need to be willing to hear. Listen for answers. Listen for wisdom. And let God speak. John 16:13 says, ‘…when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears…’ In order for the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, to hear, He had to have been listening. Which means if the Holy Spirit has to listen, so do you.
But What Are You Listening For?
Much like my talkative customers, you’re listening for answers to questions you have about decisions you have to make and you’re listening for solutions to problems you’re now faced with. But instead of talking or praying the entire time, you need to simply state the problem and listen for the answer. Because notice what the rest of the verse says, ‘…but whatever He hears He will speak…’ After the Holy Spirit heard, He spoke. Meaning He waits for the answer and then He tells it to you. Only, you were too busy talking or praying to hear it. Which is what God was telling me, is that I needed to be quiet. Yes, keep praying in tongues and with my understanding, but get quiet enough to hear.
Hear What?
1 Corinthians 14:2 says, ‘For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.’ God wants us to take the time to hear Him speak mysteries to us. Mysteries, in the Greek, simply means, ‘the plan of God.’ In other words, He wants us to slow down enough so that He can ‘…tell [us] things to come...’; reveal the mysteries, the plans He has for us, by giving us the wisdom we need to carry them out. If you haven’t, take some time to pray, everyday, in tongues. As you do, get quiet. You don’t have to stop praying, but listen – inwardly. Not for an audible voice, but for an aha; a simple understanding of the problem and what it’s going to take to fix it.
Pray this with me: Heavenly Father, will You teach me how to hear and listen with my spirit? I haven’t prayed in the Spirit in quite some time Lord. But starting today, I will. And I thank You that as I do, You will give me the answers I need. In Jesus’ name.
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