Listening is not just about hearing words with our ears. In the Bible, listening often carries the deeper meaning of paying attention with the heart, being receptive to truth, and responding in obedience. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly calls His people to listen to His voice, wisdom, instruction, and to one another. A listening heart is a posture of humility, a recognition that we don’t know it all and that we need guidance beyond our own understanding.
When Jesus walked the earth, He often said, “He who has ears, let him hear.” This wasn’t just a call to auditory function, but to spiritual attentiveness. Listening to God and others is a discipline, and often a test of character. Are we too distracted, proud, or busy to listen? Or do we quiet our hearts, make space, and tune our spirit to what God is saying?
Listening is also at the heart of love. When we listen, we honor. When we listen, we build trust. When we listen, we give room for growth, correction, and healing. The following Bible verses invite us into the deep and sacred act of listening to God and those around us.
Bible Verses About Listening
1. James 1:19
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
2. Proverbs 19:20
Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
3. Ecclesiastes 5:1
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools…
4. Isaiah 55:3
Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.
5. Luke 8:18
Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more…
6. Proverbs 1:5
Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.
7. Deuteronomy 30:20
And that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.
8. John 10:27
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
9. Psalm 85:8
I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people…
10. Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
11. Proverbs 18:13
To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.
12. Deuteronomy 6:4
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
13. Matthew 17:5
…a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
14. Job 33:14
For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it.
15. Proverbs 8:33
Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.
16. Mark 4:9
Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
17. Jeremiah 26:13
Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent…
18. Hebrews 2:1
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
19. Zechariah 7:11
But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears.
20. Acts 3:22
…You must listen to everything he tells you.
21. Psalm 34:11
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
22. John 8:47
Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.
23. Proverbs 15:31
Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.
24. 1 Samuel 3:10
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
25. Matthew 13:16
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
26. Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
27. Psalm 81:8
Hear me, my people, and I will warn you—if you would only listen to me, Israel!
28. Revelation 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door…
29. Exodus 15:26
He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes… I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians…”
30. Proverbs 4:20-22
My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight…
31. Isaiah 50:4
The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning… to listen like one being instructed.
32. Matthew 11:15
Whoever has ears, let them hear.
33. Psalm 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you…
34. Proverbs 13:1
A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
35. Jeremiah 7:23
But I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people…
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Listening
From a biblical standpoint, listening is more than passively receiving information. It is a deliberate act of the heart that requires humility, discipline, and a desire to obey. When we listen to God, we open ourselves to divine guidance, correction, and intimacy with the Father. We reflect Christ’s compassion, patience, and grace when we listen to others.
The Bible shows us that many failed simply because they refused to listen, while others found wisdom and salvation because they inclined their ear to God’s voice. Developing a listening spirit is more important than ever in a noisy world filled with distractions and endless opinions. If we want to grow, if we want to walk in truth, if we want to love well, we must learn to listen—really listen. God still speaks. The question is, are we making room to hear Him?
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God who speaks. Forgive me for times when I have been too distracted or prideful to listen. Teach me to be still and attentive to Your voice. Help me to listen to Your Word with an open heart and to respond with obedience.
Give me ears sensitive to Your Spirit and a humble and teachable heart. Help me also to listen well to others, speak slowly, and understand quickly. I desire to walk in wisdom, and I know it begins with listening. In Jesus’ name, Amen.