How We Listen

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

⁹He said, “Go and tell this people:

‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’" - Isaiah 6:8-9

We all have ears, but some of us cannot hear. And others choose NOT to.

Here's an example of what Isaiah was talking about: Do you remember sitting in a grade school classroom, incredibly bored and staring out the window? Back then, we were hearing but we weren't listening.

And when we do finally try to listen, did you know that there are actually nine different TYPES of listening?

1. Informational listening - when we are being taught or coached.
2. Discriminative listening - a deeper type of listening, observing body language and tone of voice.
3. Selective listening - only hearing what you WANT to hear.
4. Sympathetic listening - noting the speakers emotion as they speak.
5. Comprehensive listening - receiving feedback.
6. Empathetic listening - putting yourself in the speaker's shoes. 
7. Critical listening - adding your own knowledge to what the speaker is saying.
8. Reflective listening - communicating back to the speaker what you heard.
9. Appreciative listening - like listening to music.

What type of listening was Isaiah using when he said, "Here am I. Send me!"

Are we using "selective listening" when we choose what news channel to watch?

And when we pray, do we listen for that "still, small voice" that Elijah heard?

Try using multiple types of listening at the same time in you next conversation with friends. There is nothing quite like hearing, "You're a great listener!"

"I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live." - Psalm 116:1-2

Nine Types of Listening