" But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." — Luke 8:15 (NIV)
Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone, but they were too distracted to listen? Maybe they were looking at their phone, preoccupied with other thoughts, or just not paying attention. Now, imagine if we sometimes do that with God. He’s speaking, but are we truly listening?
In my last blog post, I talked about how we have the capacity to hear God—He created us for relationship, and He is always speaking. But hearing Him clearly requires something important: preparing our hearts.
Imagine your heart as soil. If the soil is hard, dry, or full of weeds, it won’t be able to receive and grow the seed of God’s Word. But if the soil is tilled, watered, and free of obstacles, it’s ready for something new to take root and flourish.
" But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." — Luke 8:15 (NIV)
This verse reminds us that the condition of our hearts determines how well we hear God’s voice and how much fruit it will produce in our lives. So, how do we prepare our hearts? Let’s dive into a few key steps.
1. Remove the Noise
In today’s fast-paced world, our hearts can become cluttered with distractions. From social media to daily responsibilities, it’s easy for the noise of life to drown out God’s voice.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” - Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
If we want to hear God clearly, we need to be intentional about silence—turning down the noise and making space to hear Him. Take 10 minutes today to sit quietly before God—no phone, no agenda, no distractions. Simply ask, “Lord, what do you want to say to me?” and listen.
2. Guard Against a Hardened Heart
Life can be hard, and sometimes our hearts harden because of disappointment, past hurts, or unfulfilled expectations. A hardened heart makes it difficult to receive what God is saying.
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” - Hebrews 3:15 (NIV)
Instead of allowing pain or disappointment to close us off, we must surrender our hearts to God, trusting that His plans are still good. Pray this prayer: “Lord, soften my heart. If there are any areas where I’ve become closed off, help me to trust you again.”
3. Repent and Remove Obstacles
Sometimes, sin or disobedience can block us from hearing God clearly. It’s not that He isn’t speaking—it’s that we have things standing in the way.
“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” - Psalm 66:18 (NIV)
But the good news is God is always ready to restore us when we come to Him in repentance. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that may be keeping you from hearing God. Write down what He shows you, and pray for His help to remove it.
4. Approach God with Expectation
Many times, we don’t hear God because we don’t expect to. But when we expect Him to speak, we position ourselves to receive.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” - Matthew 7:7 (NIV)
When you expect to hear God, you will start recognizing His voice more often. Every morning, say: “Lord, I know you are speaking. Help me to recognize your voice today.”
Take a moment to reflect and journal: “What distractions or obstacles have been keeping me from hearing God clearly? How can I prepare my heart to hear Him more?” Write down one step you will take this week to remove distractions and posture your heart to hear God. Declare this over your life: “I am preparing my heart to hear God clearly. I remove distractions, soften my heart, and expect Him to speak to me today.”
God wants to speak to you, but it requires a heart that is ready to listen. As you prepare your heart, trust that He is already speaking—and He will make His voice clear to you.
Dear God, I desire to hear you clearly. I ask that you help me prepare my heart to receive from you. Remove any distractions, doubts, or fears that may be blocking my ability to listen. Teach me how to quiet my mind, align my desires with your will, and remain open to your leading. Help me cultivate a heart that seeks after you in every season. Thank you for loving me and speaking to me. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
I’d love to hear how God is speaking to you—send me an email and share your thoughts.
If you’re ready to go deeper in your journey of hearing from God, grab your Live Love Lead Journal to write down what He speaks to you and track your spiritual growth. You can get your copy by CLICKING HERE.
As you are on your faith journey, I would love to connect more. If you want to further connect or if you’re looking for more inspiration and practical tips on living a Christ-centered life with purpose, head over to the Live Love Lead Community for regular updates and encouragement. Let’s journey together in faith and resilience.
I love you with the love of Christ! ~ April Nicole Scipio 💛
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