Listening To Our Spouse
There are problems with not listening to our heavenly and to our earthly spouse.
When we refuse to listen to our heavenly or to our earthly spouse, we are implicitly insulting them by saying that what they have to say is unimportant (Proverbs 18:13, Beck). It indicates an arrogant evaluation of ourselves and a poor assessment of what our spouse has to offer (Prov 18:2). Hence, an unwillingness to carefully listen reflects a lack of humility and cuts us off from receiving God’s grace (Jas 4:6).
Poor listening shows we are self-centered and are acting in rude, unloving ways that devalue our spouse. Indifference to listening attentively indicates we believe we already know what is needed, are unteachable (Prov 12:15, NAB) and not open to correction (Prov 13:1, CEB). Granted, a time comes when we must choose a course of action rather than to endlessly listen. However, if we are wise, we have first listened carefully to the Lord (our heavenly spouse through faith in Jesus Christ) and to our earthly spouse (if we are married). We have also listened to appropriate counselors (Prov 15:22).
There are many benefits when we listen to our heavenly and to our earthly spouse. God, and usually our earthly spouse, will increasingly share more about themselves when we have a habit of carefully listening to them (Proverbs 3:32, PT with Tanakh). We become more intimate with them, receiving enriched guidance from the Lord who habitually is talking to us (Mt 4:4 with Bruner, Matthew 1-12-2004, p 125-126) and, often, from the Lord via our earthly spouse. With God routinely guiding us, we will become the best version of ourselves that is possible. The Lord also approves of those who listen to Him, granting them His joy (Prov 8:32-34, CCB). Finally, the habit of carefully listening makes it less likely that we will drift from the Lord or from our earthly spouse (Heb 2:1).
Given the many significant problems with not listening and the many great benefits of listening, why would a wise person choose to not listen? Let us listen!
Unending pleasure in the next life; training for godly pleasure in this one.