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  LISTENING TO GOD BEFORE WE SPEAK FOR HIM
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: To truly speak for God, we must first learn to listen to Him in
silence.

Topics: "Listening to God", "The Power of Silence"
Scripture References: 1 Kings 19:12, Psalm 39:2, Psalm 46:10, Psalm 62:1, Proverbs 17:28, Ecclesiastes 3:7, Isaiah 30:15, Habakkuk 2:1, Matthew 6:6, James 1:19

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of silence and listening to God
before speaking on His behalf. He reflects on how true understanding and
revelation come from a quiet heart, as exemplified by David's experience
of musing in silence before speaking. Tozer suggests that many
Christians would benefit from taking time to be still and listen for
God's voice, which can lead to profound spiritual healing and insight.
He warns that a busy mouth often hinders the heart from receiving divine
truth. Ultimately, he calls for a return to the practice of silence to
deepen our relationship with God.

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CONTENT
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Holy men of soberer and quieter times than ours knew well the power of
silence. David said, I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from
good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me; while I was
musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue. There is a tip here
for God's modern prophets. The heart seldom gets hot while the mouth is
open. A closed mouth before God and a silent heart are indispensable for
the reception of certain kinds of truth. No man is qualified to speak
who has not first listened.

It might well be a wonderful revelation to some Christians if they were
to get completely quiet for a short time, long enough, let us say, to
get acquainted with their own souls, and to listen in the silence for
the deep voice of the Eternal God.

The experience, if repeated often enough, would do more to cure our
ulcers than all the pills that ever rolled across a desk.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/listening-to-god-before-we-speak-for-him/
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