1 John 4:6 Good Listener?

1John 4:6  “We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error”. (NASB)

Have you ever known a critical person?  Now I’m not talking about one that makes a critical observation from time to time about things of which he is qualified to comment and for the purposes of improvement.  I’m talking about someone who always has an opinion and it’s always critical. 

Think for a minute about that critical person.  Do they ever really listen with the intent of hearing the truth that’s being presented?  Or more likely are they listening for that one misstatement with the intent of issuing a big fat GOTCHA?  That person looking for the opportunity to say “GOTTCHA” is the critical person to whom I refer.

I believe it may be this type of person to whom John was referring when he wrote this verse in 1 John 4.  He begins by sharing who he is.  “We are from God” he writes.  As an Apostle, John is stating that he has authority to deliver God’s Word.  He goes on to observe that, “He who knows God listens to us”.  So, of his audience the ones that are tuned in, so to speak are believers.  That is, they, “Know God”.

He contrasts the attentive hearers of God’s word with the alternative.  He says that, “He who is not from God does not listen to us”.  So for John the two types of people by their attentiveness make it clear to him who “Knows God” and “Who is not from God”.  So by this simple observation John is able to discern the “Spirit of truth and the spirit of error”.

Okay, so what?  Well the same dynamic happens (believe it or not) in a church setting.  Some, “Who know God” listen to His Word delivered by the Pastor.  Others tend to tune out, “Not listen” to the Word.  To be clear, I’m not saying that if you have a bad day and dose during the sermon that you’re not a believer.  What I am saying is that the Scripture says to me that believers seek to listen to God’s Word when it is pronounced.

There are other ways this, “Listens to us” phrase comes into play.  As parents when instructions are given but no action results we say to our child rather sternly, “Listen to me”!  We do that because it is clear from the behavior of the child that he hadn’t listened.

I think the same is true with regard to the proclamation of God’s Word.  As Christians when we heed the Word of the Lord by our behavior we “Listen” to God.  Now we all have our moments, we all stumble, we all sin.  I’m not talking here about one who fails to walk as he should walk from time to time.  I also acknowledge here that we are all growing and God doesn’t require us to become perfect all at once rather one step at a time at His leading.  So God will be working on one of my weaknesses and another of yours at the same time.  This test of listening by our behavior isn’t a template that fits all believers at one time.  It is very individual.  None-the-less one who, “Listens to us” demonstrates that listening in Godly behavior.

The sobering news is that, “He who is not from God does not listen”.  Frankly they will not listen unless or until God calls them to tune in.  Those folks may be the critical persons looking for the opportunities for a, “GOTTCHA” rather than striving to “Listen”.  The bottom line then is that as believers we are to tune in; to “Listen” to God’s Word with our ears and our minds and demonstrate our listening with our behavior.  “By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error”.  AMEN!