‘IMPROVE IMPROVE YOUR YOUR

HEARINGHEARING’

James1:19 My dear brothers, James1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become to speak and slow to become angry.angry.

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1.1. PRESUMPTION PRESUMPTION BLOCKS HEARINGBLOCKS HEARING– Proverbs 18:13 He who answers Proverbs 18:13 He who answers

before listening - that is his folly before listening - that is his folly and his shame.and his shame.

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4 Types of Assumption4 Types of Assumption1. There is only one way to see 1. There is only one way to see thingsthings2. That everybody thinks like I 2. That everybody thinks like I dodo3. That people never change3. That people never change4. I can figure out your motives4. I can figure out your motives

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1.1. PRESUMPTION BLOCKS HEARINGPRESUMPTION BLOCKS HEARING

2.2. IMPATIENCE BLOCKS IMPATIENCE BLOCKS HEARINGHEARING– Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man

who speaks in haste? There is who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.more hope for a fool than for him.

– Proverbs 19:11 A man's wisdom Proverbs 19:11 A man's wisdom gives him patience.gives him patience.

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1.1. PRESUMPTION BLOCKS HEARINGPRESUMPTION BLOCKS HEARING

2.2. IMPATIENCE BLOCKS HEARINGIMPATIENCE BLOCKS HEARING

3.3. PRIDE BLOCKS HEARINGPRIDE BLOCKS HEARING– Proverbs 20:5 The purposes of a man's Proverbs 20:5 The purposes of a man's

heart are deep waters, but a man of heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.understanding draws them out.

– Proverbs 15:31,32 He who listens to a Proverbs 15:31,32 He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.among the wise.

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4 Types of critics 4 Types of critics – Lawyers (build a case)Lawyers (build a case)– Theologians (Bible bulldozers), Theologians (Bible bulldozers), – Historians (never forget a thing and Historians (never forget a thing and

use the past failures to build their use the past failures to build their case! case!

– Psychologists (I knew you would Psychologists (I knew you would do that, you wouldn't understand).do that, you wouldn't understand).

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1.1. LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES.LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES.–Mark 10:21 Jesus looked at Mark 10:21 Jesus looked at

him and loved him.him and loved him.

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1.1. LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES.LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES.

2.2. LISTEN WITH YOUR LISTEN WITH YOUR HEARTHEART– John 4:15-20ffJohn 4:15-20ff

3 HEARING HELPS3 HEARING HELPS1.1. LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES.LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES.2.2. LISTEN WITH YOUR HEARTLISTEN WITH YOUR HEART

3.3. MAKE TIME TO LISTENMAKE TIME TO LISTEN– Make time to listen to those that you are in Make time to listen to those that you are in

relationship with…relationship with…– Make Time to listen to God…Make Time to listen to God…– Matthew 17:5 "This is my Son, whom I love; Matthew 17:5 "This is my Son, whom I love;

with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"– Luke 8:18 "Therefore consider carefully how Luke 8:18 "Therefore consider carefully how

you listen."you listen."– Hebrews 3:7,8 So, as the Holy Spirit says: Hebrews 3:7,8 So, as the Holy Spirit says:

"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts your hearts