Quick List • Reasons People Do Not or Cannot Hear God

Doubting
The act of doubting implies that the truth has been presented. (That makes sense because you first have to have something to doubt!) A person who doubts becomes his own stumbling block. Entertaining doubts keeps the mind noisy as it tries to figure things out in the flesh. God is Spirit and speaks to your spirit. If you haven't quieted your mind, you probably won't hear God when He whispers to your spirit. James 1:6, 7 says that a man who doubts ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord.

Stubborn Attitude
The eighth verse of Psalm 32 promises that God will give direction, but the ninth verse clues us in that being stubborn or wanting to act with a mind of our own will keep us from being able to get understanding. 
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Be not like a mule…

Strife Among the Brethren
Strife is heated dissension, arguments, and competition between rivals. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. James 3:16  Wherever strife exists, people are not listening, and if they are not listening, they are not going to hear God or anyone else. This is why demons like to provoke Christians into fighting with each other.

Hard Hearts
Hard hearts are different than stubborn attitudes in a couple ways. An attitude is a choice, while hard hardheartedness is a callousness that has built up over time. A stubborn person could still hear God if they were willing to change their attitude. God is spirit and speaks to your heart. The spiritual ears of a hardhearted person no longer function; they have no faith. "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." Hebrews 4:7

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The Lesson
On New Year's Day, KatieLyn was not doubting the Lord. She did not have a stubborn attitude. She was not yet in strife with her mom. Her heart was soft and ready to listen to God. And she heard Him clearly when the Lord placed His witness in her spirit that Joe was to be her husband. But hearing alone does not bring success; one must walk out what was heard.