👂What Could Be Preventing You From Hearing God?

✨ Devotional Thoughts

Yesterday we reflected on how God speaks through everything — through nature, circumstances, people, even silence. But today, let’s ask a sobering question: What if the issue isn’t that God isn’t speaking — but that we’re not hearing?

God is always speaking. His voice is like a radio frequency constantly transmitting — but we must tune in. Unfortunately, there are things in our lives that interfere with the signal. Some are obvious, others more subtle. Let’s walk through a few:

1. Sin – The Wall Between Us

Unconfessed sin doesn’t silence God, but it deafens us. It builds a wall between our spirit and His. In Isaiah 59:2, the Lord says, “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you.” Sin dulls our spiritual hearing, not because God turns away from us in anger, but because we turn away from Him in rebellion.

2. Distraction – The Noise of Life

Sometimes, we’re simply too busy. Our schedules are packed, our phones constantly buzz, and our minds are racing. If we never get still, how can we hear the still, small voice of God? When Elijah stood on the mountain in 1 Kings 19, God wasn’t in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. His voice came in a gentle whisper. Are we quiet enough to hear it?

3. Overwhelm – The Weight We Carry

Life can be heavy — full of stress, grief, and busyness. These burdens often drown out the voice of the Shepherd. In Luke 10, Martha was overwhelmed with much serving, while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened. Jesus told Martha, “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is necessary.” Listening comes before serving.

4. Wrong Environments – The Places We Dwell

Who and where we surround ourselves with can affect our spiritual hearing. Psalm 1 says the blessed person does not sit in the seat of mockers or stand with sinners. If we’re in constant fellowship with worldly voices, we’ll begin to drown out the voice of the Spirit.

5. Hardened Hearts – The Dangerous Condition

A hardened heart doesn’t happen overnight. It forms when we continually ignore God's nudges, resist conviction, or remain indifferent. Pharaoh in Exodus hardened his heart repeatedly, even when God was clearly speaking through signs. Eventually, it became his downfall.

In 1 Samuel 3, young Samuel served in the temple under Eli. One night, God called to him, but Samuel didn’t recognize it — not because he was in sin or distracted, but because he had not yet learned to recognize God's voice. But notice this: he was available. He was in the temple, and he responded with, “Here I am.” Eventually, he said, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

That posture made all the difference. Sometimes, all God is waiting for is availability and willingness to listen.

🛠️ Practical Reflection

• Is there any sin in your life that you haven’t brought before God?

• Are you too busy to make room for stillness with God?

• Have you surrounded yourself with voices that compete with His?

• Do you feel numb or hardened toward His Word or presence?

It’s not about being perfect — it’s about being postured. God still speaks. The question is, are we in a position to hear?

💭 Closing Thoughts

God speaks through the wind, through people, through your circumstances, through His Word, and through that gentle nudge in your heart. If you're not hearing Him, don't assume He's silent. Ask: "Lord, is there anything in my life blocking Your voice?"

Get still. Get right. Get ready. His voice is worth everything.

🙏 Prayer

Father, thank You that You are a speaking God. Forgive me for the times I’ve let sin, distraction, or hardness of heart block my ability to hear You. Teach me to recognize Your voice above the noise. Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me. Help me to be still and sensitive to Your leading. I want to hear You clearly — and follow You faithfully. Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening. In Jesus’ name, Amen.