When Jesus intervened in the matter of the deaf and dumb man, his ears were first opened, and then his tongue was loosed. Jesus seemed to be more in a hurry to get the man to listen than He was in a hurry to get the man to speak. Jesus brought healing to his hearing before healing his speech. The matter of hearing was given precedence over speech. The gate of hearing opened before the gate of speech was opened.
Friend, you may not be able to say what you ought to say if you do not hear what you ought to hear. In this year of Ephphatha, be mindful of what you listen to. Be mindful of the voices you pay attention to. Be mindful of the voices of discouragement that want to stop you in your tracks. Be mindful of the voices that are saying what God is not saying. Be mindful of the voices that want to take you away from God.
Jesus seemed to place the matter of hearing ahead of the matter of speaking. This year, dare to hear before you speak. Speak only after you have heard from the Lord. Speak only when you have heard the right voices. Speak only when you have heard what you ought to hear. Speak only after you have heard what is consistent with God’s word for your life. Don’t be in a hurry to speak when you are yet to hear.
If you are a carrier of the life of God, then don’t listen to death. If you are a carrier of life, then be deliberate in listening to the word of the Lord over and above the reports of men. If Jesus has redeemed you, then there should not arise another voice that will overshadow the voice of the Lord. If you are a carrier of life, then be deliberate to listen to people that cause your life to overflow.
Remember, hearing was restored, and speech followed. If only you can hear right this year, you will speak words that heaven will affirm.
