1. IMPROVE YOUR HEARING ‘ IMPROVE YOUR HEARING ’

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

3. 3 HEARING BLOCKS 1.PRESUMPTION BLOCKS HEARING –Proverbs 18:13 He who answers before listening - that is his folly and his shame.

4. 3 HEARING BLOCKS 4 Types of Assumption 1. There is only one way to see things 2. That everybody thinks like I do 3. That people never change 4. I can figure out your motives

5. 3 HEARING BLOCKS 1.PRESUMPTION BLOCKS HEARING 2.IMPATIENCE BLOCKS HEARING –Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him. –Proverbs 19:11 A man's wisdom gives him patience.

6. 3 HEARING BLOCKS 1.PRESUMPTION BLOCKS HEARING 2.IMPATIENCE BLOCKS HEARING 3.PRIDE BLOCKS HEARING –Proverbs 20:5 The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. –Proverbs 15:31,32 He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.

7. 3 HEARING BLOCKS 4 Types of critics –Lawyers (build a case) –Theologians (Bible bulldozers), –Historians (never forget a thing and use the past failures to build their case! –Psychologists (I knew you would do that, you wouldn't understand).

8. 3 HEARING HELPS 1.LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES. –Mark 10:21 Jesus looked at him and loved him.

9. 3 HEARING HELPS 1.LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES. 2.LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART –John 4:15-20ff

10. 3 HEARING HELPS 1.LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES. 2.LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART 3.MAKE TIME TO LISTEN –Make time to listen to those that you are in relationship with… –Make Time to listen to God… –Matthew 17:5 "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" –Luke 8:18 "Therefore consider carefully how you listen." –Hebrews 3:7,8 So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts