Attentiveness is the indicator of success. It points and directs us on what path we should tread upon.
Life is just like an exam. Before you proceed, you need to read or listen to the instructions properly. Doing something without knowing what exactly to be done is just wasting your time.
I. The instruction to be attentive.
Proverbs 5:1
My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
The book of Proverbs is a book of practical insights on how to live in this sin-tainted world. As the serpent beguiled Eve in the Garden of Eden, we might also easily fall into temptation and err on everything if we are not attentive to the details of the things around us.
We live in a world where deceitful people abound thus we are instructed to know to understand and gain wisdom. We must learn how to listen diligently and discerningly. We should attain to have the skills of discerning one's voice or speech if it is a sincere one or just flattery.
II. The blessings of being attentive.
2 Corinthians 10:12
For we dare not make ourselves of the number or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Attentiveness makes you a discerning person.
- You can identify the voice of God from the devil.
a. The voice of God is a still tiny voice.
God often speaks through His Word, the Bible. He speaks through preachers' sermons, books, and Christian literature. God also speaks through circumstances and tragedies in life.
b. The voice of God is always challenging to faith.
The voice of God appeals to the faith wherein achievement cannot be fully comprehended.
The voice of the devil is loud. He speaks through the flesh, through the system of the world, and he appeals to the basic needs of physical life.
c. Comforting is the voice, but despising is the voice of the devil.
Proverbs 14:21
He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Loneliness, self-pity and poor self-image are the results of listening to the voice of the devil.
When we were yet unsaved, we are all ugly in sin. But when we were saved, God sanctified us; so we are all good looking to Him. Despising others is despising God.
When we fail to listen to the voice of God as He prompted in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, and we listen to the voice of the devil and follow it; trouble and misery will haunt us.
Source:
The King James Bible