ATTENTIVENESS (vs. Distraction)

– Showing the worth of a person by giving sincere attention to.
- Learning who to be attentive to, what to listen for, and who not to listen to.
(The verses for this character quality are Romans 15:3-6)

In Hebrew this attentiveness means “to give ear to”. There is also a word for Attentiveness to God which means “to hear intellectually”. The Greek us of Attentiveness was used to describe the crowds who listened to Jesus, “to listen closely”.

Attentiveness is an attitude of readiness to do what is true and right.

An Attentive person maintains good eye contact, is not distracted, and clarifies information given. It involves more than just listening with the ears it involves the heart as well.
Understanding can be synonymous with hearing. The ear is one of the first organs to develop in the womb, and hearing is one of the last senses to cease as death approaches.
Prov. 1:5
Ex 15:26

God speaks to us through Scripture. God brings to our attention verses that have significance in our lives.

How attentive are you to God?
-Do you spend time each day reading His Words?
-Do you ask how you can apply the scriptures to your daily life?
- Do you turn scriptures into personal prayer?
- Do you take time to listen to God speak to you as you pray?

Attentiveness springs from an Obedient Heart. It begins by asking God for a “hearing” heart.

Attentiveness to others requires discerning facial expressions, tonal patterns, body language and most of all, listening to the spirit of the person.

- Do you surround yourself with wise individuals?
- Do you seek wise counsel?
- Do you carefully search out a matter before making decisions?

May we be ATTENTIVE first to God, hearing with our hearts and then to others, as we understand with our hearts.