Listening is a vital skill in our relationships and spiritual walk, reflecting our willingness to understand, empathize, and connect with others. The Bible emphasizes the importance of listening—not just hearing words, but truly understanding and responding with wisdom and compassion. Whether in our relationships with God, family, friends, or even those who oppose us, listening allows us to grow in knowledge, build stronger connections, and demonstrate Christ-like love. Here are 30 Bible verses about listening to others, each with a brief commentary.
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.”
James emphasizes the importance of listening. It teaches that being quick to listen and slow to speak helps us avoid unnecessary conflict and anger, allowing us to respond with wisdom and understanding rather than rashness.
2. Proverbs 18:13
“To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.”
This proverb warns against responding prematurely. It teaches that answering before fully listening to someone’s words or concerns is foolish and can lead to misunderstandings, emphasizing the value of patient and attentive listening.
3. Proverbs 19:20
“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.”
This verse highlights the value of listening to advice. It teaches that by being open to advice and discipline, we gain wisdom over time, as listening helps us learn and grow from the experiences and insights of others.
4. Proverbs 1:5
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.”
This proverb encourages the wise to continue listening. It teaches that wisdom is not static; even the wise should listen to increase their understanding, showing that listening is an ongoing process of growth and learning.
5. Matthew 11:15
“Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Jesus often used this phrase to emphasize the importance of listening. It teaches that listening with intent is crucial to understanding and applying spiritual truths, highlighting the need for attentive and thoughtful engagement with God’s Word and others.
6. Proverbs 12:15
“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”
This proverb contrasts the attitudes of fools and the wise. It teaches that while fools rely solely on their own understanding, the wise value the perspectives of others, seeking advice to make informed and prudent decisions.
7. 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, who do not know that they do wrong.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of listening in worship. It teaches that in our approach to God, listening is more valuable than hasty or thoughtless offerings, encouraging a posture of humility and attentiveness before the Lord.
8. Proverbs 21:13
“Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.”
This proverb warns against ignoring the needy. It teaches that refusing to listen to the pleas of those in need leads to a lack of compassion, and such disregard will result in our own cries for help being unanswered.
9. Luke 8:18
“Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”
Jesus instructs on careful listening. It teaches that the way we listen, especially to God’s Word, affects our spiritual growth and understanding. Attentive listening leads to greater insight, while careless listening results in loss.
10. Proverbs 25:12
“Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.”
This verse compares wise correction to valuable ornaments. It teaches that a receptive, listening ear that accepts correction is as precious as fine gold, highlighting the value of being open to constructive feedback.
11. 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.'”
Young Samuel listens to God’s call. It teaches that being attentive to God’s voice, like Samuel, prepares us to hear His guidance and direction, showing the importance of being ready to listen when God speaks.
12. Proverbs 18:2
“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.”
This proverb highlights the folly of prioritizing speaking over listening. It teaches that fools prefer to speak without seeking understanding, while wisdom calls for us to listen and seek to understand before offering our opinions.
13. Colossians 4:6
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Paul encourages gracious conversation. It teaches that listening is key to responding appropriately to others, allowing our words to be thoughtful, gracious, and relevant, rather than hasty or thoughtless.
14. Proverbs 15:31
“Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.”
This verse praises those who listen to correction. It teaches that listening to and accepting correction leads to wisdom, placing us among those who are wise and discerning in their ways.
15. James 3:17
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
James describes the qualities of heavenly wisdom. It teaches that true wisdom, which includes being considerate and submissive, requires us to listen well to others, allowing us to act with mercy and sincerity in our relationships.
16. Proverbs 22:17
“Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach.”
This proverb urges attentive listening to wisdom. It teaches that listening carefully to the teachings of the wise helps us apply these lessons to our lives, leading to greater understanding and application of truth.
17. Matthew 18:15
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”
Jesus instructs on resolving conflicts through listening. It teaches that listening plays a crucial role in reconciliation, as a willingness to listen to concerns can restore relationships and prevent further conflict.
18. Proverbs 19:27
“Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.”
This proverb warns against neglecting to listen. It teaches that failing to listen to instruction leads to a loss of knowledge and wisdom, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and attentiveness.
19. Isaiah 55:3
“Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.”
God calls His people to listen for life. It teaches that listening to God’s voice and commands brings life and blessings, as it leads us into His promises and the covenant of His steadfast love.
20. Psalm 116:1-2
“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.”
The psalmist praises God for listening to his cries. It teaches that just as God listens to our prayers, we should also be attentive listeners to others, offering compassion and support in times of need.
21. Proverbs 15:22
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
This proverb highlights the importance of listening to counsel. It teaches that listening to the advice and insights of others helps us make better decisions and increases the likelihood of success in our endeavors.
22. John 10:27
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Jesus describes His followers as those who listen to His voice. It teaches that listening to Jesus is a mark of true discipleship, guiding us to follow Him closely and live according to His will.
23. Proverbs 8:33-34
“Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.”
Wisdom personified calls for attentive listening. It teaches that listening to wisdom’s instruction brings blessings and leads to a life of understanding, urging us to be diligent in seeking and applying wise counsel.
24. Mark 4:24
“‘Consider carefully what you hear,’ he continued. ‘With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.'”
Jesus advises careful consideration of what we hear. It teaches that the way we listen and respond to others, with attention and discernment, will determine the quality of the wisdom and understanding we receive in return.
25. Proverbs 17:27
“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.”
This proverb praises measured speech and understanding. It teaches that listening and using words wisely, with restraint and calmness, are signs of true knowledge and understanding, leading to more constructive and peaceful interactions.
26. 1 Kings 3:9
“So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
Solomon asks God for a listening heart. It teaches that true wisdom and effective leadership require a heart that listens, discerning right from wrong and guiding others with understanding and justice.
27. Proverbs 16:20
“Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.”
This proverb links listening to instruction with prosperity. It teaches that listening to and following wise instruction leads to success and blessings, especially when combined with trust in the Lord.
28. Job 34:16
“If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.”
Elihu urges Job to listen carefully to wisdom. It teaches that listening with understanding is crucial to gaining insight, especially during times of difficulty or confusion, helping us grasp the truth more fully.
29. 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, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.”
Isaiah speaks of being taught by God. It teaches that listening to God’s instruction equips us to speak words of encouragement and comfort to others, showing that a listening ear leads to a well-instructed and compassionate heart.
30. Luke 2:46
“After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.”
Young Jesus is found listening and learning in the temple. It teaches that even Jesus valued listening and asking questions as a means of learning, modeling the importance of being a lifelong listener and learner.
- 30 Bible Verses About Putting Others Down (With Commentary)
- 30 Bible Verses About Hands (With Commentary)
- 30 Bible Verses About A New Day (With Commentary)
- 30 Bible Verses About Feet (With Commentary)