One of the attributes of the presence of God’s Spirit in an individual’s life is self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). So, when we spend daily time in prayer and in God’s Word, it is guaranteed that our flesh will “pitch a fit” from time to time.

It’s all because of our basic sin nature that wants to do what it wants to do when it wants to do it! And the only way you can tame this thing is to attend to God’s Word daily. If you take a day off from the Word, the next day that fleshly-sin nature will rear up when you least expect it!

Paying attention is a discipline that is in dire need of cultivation in all of our lives. We all live in a society that is bombarded with distractions flying at us by the second!

Take for instance, the handy, dandy, cell phone. Have you ever been in a meeting or just having an important conversation with an individual when all of a sudden, your cell phone rang? What happened?

Nine times out of ten, we answer the phone. Guess how I know? I have been that person more times than I care to admit! The bottom line remains, when someone is talking to you and you are attending to something else, that person doesn’t have your full attention!

 In the same way, when other matters have your focus and God’s Word is floating somewhere in the background, there’s no way for you to be sure what He is speaking to you. Here are some quotes from a wonderful curriculum we use in our family called Character First.

In the area of attentiveness, there are five “I Wills” that are necessary to show that we are being attentive:

I WILL look at the person speaking

I WILL ask questions when I don’t understand

I WILL sit or stand up straight

I WILL not draw attention to myself

I WILL keep my eyes, ears, hands, feet and mouth from distractions

If this would be our daily posture before our God and His Word, I’m sure we’d be amazed at the level of clarity by which He speaks!

 My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22 Amplified

 Biblical Meditation: Proverbs 5:1, 2 My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.