Text - Proverbs 23:7a
I initially planned to write about listening to the voice of the Lord and how quintessential it was to having success in life - but when I saw the image above, I got a different inspiration. I know the context may have been musical but this phrase; “You are what you listen to”, speaks volumes (no pun intended). Listening is so powerful. It is not only giving your ear to something but also giving it the power to transform you.
Think about it with me. When someone tells you, “Listen to me” or “You don’t ever listen to me”, they usually mean that you don’t pay attention to them right? Right. Usually, when we listen to something, we give our attention to that particular thing whether consciously or subconsciously.
Do you know the saying that ‘birds of the same feather flock together’ is actually scriptural? The Bible puts it this way;
‘For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.’ Prov. 23:7a
Most times, your thoughts determine your actions. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were pressured by your friends to do what you didn’t want to do (whether good or bad)? Can I get an amen in the house? Yes, it is because you gave them attention long enough to influence your actions. You listened to them. If you had distanced yourself from them after they gave the first suggestion, you may have not followed through with their demands.
Now, I want to bring our minds to two powerful forces that seek our attention daily:
Satan
God
Let’s begin with Satan so that we can save the best for last, shall we?
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
Satan is an attention freak - no wonder there’s so much about him everywhere in mainstream media. The Bible says that he knows the time is short so he is doing all he can to see that he takes as many with him. He does this by pushing all sorts of immorality towards us to influence our thoughts which will eventually influence our actions. But the Word of God encourages us in this manner: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
DO NOT LISTEN TO WHAT HE HAS TO SAY TO YOU
Don’t dwell on the matter at all. Turn your attention towards more noble things.
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
Whatever they do prospers.Psalm 1:1-3
Now, I can boldly say -
YOUR PROSPERITY LIES IN HEARKENING TO THE VOICE OF GOD.
Be the type of person that is always on the lookout for what God is saying. Give attention to His word, in your heart, in the scriptures, and in the mouth of those who are speaking it. Give Him your absolute attention and you will become Him.
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous. Joshua 1:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil. 4:8
When you hearken to these words, you will become these words. I strongly encourage you to read this devotional again and again so that it influences you to think only God's thoughts.
God bless you.