Listening When We Are Not Listening

(Proverbs 5:7 KJV)  Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.

Notice how the admonitions here are active, not passive.  We are given direction.  We are to “hear” (listen NASB) (8085).  That is a positive action.  We are also not to “depart” (5493).  That is a negative action. 

We are given one thing to do and another not to do. 

As I was “reflecting” on what this verse said I realized that I had not been listening.  I thought it said not to depart from the path.  In reality it says not to depart from the “words” (561).  How easy it is to not listen even when we are listening.  How easy it is to not pay attention when the words are right in front of me. 

So?  Be alert.  Be aware of the ability we have to wander in our attention.  Be aware of how easy it is for us to assume we heard something when all we heard was what we wanted to hear.  God is still speaking.  Are we listening?