Strongholds That Keep Us from Being Good Listeners

Listening should be something church leaders do: 1) Scripture teaches us to be good listeners. 2) Listening to others is Christ-like. — Failing to listen, then, will likely make us less effective. It’s therefore important to consider why we don’t listen as we should. Is it ignorance or a lack of training? Or, might we have a spiritual strongholds keeping us from becoming better listeners?

What Keeps Us from Being Good Listeners

Perhaps we see the value of listening but being a good listener alludes us. — The problem, then, isn’t a matter of ignorance or a lack of intention.

Even with instructions on listening techniques, some continue to struggle. — The problem, then, isn’t a matter of knowledge or skill development.

What is the problem? Why do we still struggle to be good listeners? — Perhaps we have a spiritual stronghold that needs to be demolished. We may have conditioned ourselves not to listen because of past betrayals or hurts. We possibly struggle with control issues. Why bother listening when we plan to do what we determine anyway?

Deep down we might hold on to lies in our sub-conscious that need to be replaced with truth. — Maybe we think we are who we are and can’t change. We may have grown up in an environment where family members ignored what each other had to say, making poor listening skills our default. Perhaps by personality we’re more of a self-absorbed talker. We may be more of an impatient go-getter who views taking time to listen as an obstacle to productivity.

God’s Solution to Strongholds

If we constantly struggle with listening despite good intentions and training, we need to consider the possibility that our struggle may be spiritual in nature. Spiritual battles can only be resolved with divine power.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (2 Cor. 10:4)

Our sub-conscious beliefs may keep us from being who God wants. Once we identify lies, we can take them captive and replace them with truth. We need divine empowerment for our minds to be transformed (Rom. 12:2).

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5)

To hold to the belief that we can’t change, or that we have valid reasons for not being a good listener, is to deny God’s intent for us as well as His power. We must keep telling ourselves what the Lord told the Apostle Paul. — “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9)

For More on These Topics, Go To:

• Effective Christ-like Communication Skills Resources
• Resources on Divine Weapons for Spiritual Warfare

All Posts about Listening Skills:

• Start by Listening to God
• Getting Others On Board Starts by Listening
• Listening, A Core Element of Body Life
• Why We Start by Listening to the Lord
• Why Listen to Others
• Jesus Actively Listened
• Christ-like Listening Communicates
• If Listening Doesn’t Come Naturally
• Is Listening One of Your Weaknesses?
• Listening Enhanced with the Help of the Holy Spirit
• Praying According to God’s Will Begins & Ends with Listening
• Want Someone to Listen?
• Scripture Equips Us to Listen
• Doing Everything in His Name Makes Us Better Listeners
• The Gospel Gives Us a Reason to Listen
• Strongholds That Keep Us from Being Good Listeners
• The Resurrection Gives What We Need to be Better Listeners
• Listening Affects Fulfilling Leadership Roles