Sensitivity To The Spirit

Sensitivity to the Spirit

Have you noticed how sensitive people are today? With the popularity of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and the ability to sound off whenever we want about whatever we want to whomever will listen, we have become a highly sensitive society. It’s easy to spew venomous rhetoric at those we disagree with, and as a result, we’ve lost a certain grace and etiquette.

Unfortunately, some of the most un-Christian rhetoric comes from those who post Bible verse memes on social media. It’s easy to go on a rant because of an article someone posted or an opinion someone expressed, not worrying about who might see it or care what damage it will do.

What if our sensitivity shifted? What if, instead of being so sensitive about people’s opinions and behaviors, we were sensitive to what God says regarding our emotions, our speech, and the way we engage others? One of my frequent prayers is that I would not crowd the Lord out but that I would listen for his voice.

First Samuel 3:8-10 shows us a beautiful way to listen for the voice of the Lord:

So the LORD called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”

Then Eli realized it was the LORD who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed.

And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!”

And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

May we, too, say, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.

1 Samuel 3:9