“God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.” —Psalm 62:11 (KJV)
There is a unique and profound experience that comes with receiving insight—a moment when the truth of God’s Word first dawns on our hearts. That initial encounter we have often feels like a light bulb turning on, illuminating our path, and filling us with excitement. It’s a powerful moment, one that brings clarity and joy to our hearts.
But what if I told you that this initial excitement is not the end of the process but the beginning? The goal of revelation is not just to inform but to transform—shaping us until we truly understand and embody the truth we have received.
Many times, we rush through moments of inspiration, eager to act on what we’ve learned or even share with our community. However, we must recognize something important: Haste is an enemy of conviction, and if we want God’s truth to settle deep within us, we need to learn not to rush ahead. A typical example of this is when we receive some inspiration and in order to keep up with the ‘gram’ we immediately share without first internalizing what we’ve received.
The Difference Between Haste and Speed
When we talk about ‘hearing again’, it’s important to distinguish between haste and speed. We often equate the two, but they are fundamentally different.
Speed, in a spiritual sense, refers to our ability to move forward quickly, fueled by a deep understanding of the truth. Speed is powered by clarity and conviction. It accelerates the experience of a spiritual experience because of the truths we’ve received. Speed is that momentum that results from being in God’s presence, hearing His word, and meditating on it until it becomes part of our very being.
Haste, on the other hand, is very different. Haste is an unnecessary pressure that rises within us, pushing us to act before we truly understand. It stirs in our hearts after the first encounter with inspiration, convincing us that we are ready to act when, in reality, the process of conviction hasn’t been fully developed. Acting in haste leads us into shallow faith, where the truth has not taken root enough to withstand life’s storms.
So how do we avoid the trap of haste and ensure that God’s word settles deeply into our hearts? It’s a system I have used over time; “The practice of Hearing again.”
The Principle of Hearing Twice
Hearing twice is a simple yet profound principle for building conviction of God’s word in our hearts. It ensures we don’t just receive information from God but experience transformation through His truth.
The first hearing is usually informative—it raises awareness and begins to shed light on the subject. However, the second hearing is revelatory. It transforms that initial awareness into a deep, unshakable experience that molds and shapes us into the image of the truth we have received.
For instance, when God speaks to you about His nature and character of love, the first hearing appeals to your senses. It sparks an intellectual understanding of His love, and you become aware of this truth conceptually. However, the second hearing, gotten through spending more time in meditation, prayer, and reflection, creates a much deeper understanding and experience.
This second hearing takes the truth from your mind and plants it in your heart. At this point, for example, you don’t just know about God’s love—you become love personified.
The Bible contains examples of individuals who experienced “hearing again”. Look at Moses. He first encountered God’s presence at the burning bush—a powerful, awe-inspiring moment. But Moses didn’t fully comprehend God’s greatness or ways immediately after that encounter.
It took multiple encounters—hearing God speak repeatedly, witnessing God’s power through the plagues, and receiving the law on Mount Sinai—before Moses truly grasped the fullness of God’s plan and character. Each time Moses returned to God, he gained a deeper understanding and conviction. Each encounter was another “hearing” until God’s truth was embedded in his very being.
From Information to Transformation
What happens during that second hearing? I like to call it the transition from information to transformation. In the first hearing, the truth registers in our hearts as a concept; we receive the seed, so to speak.
But it is during the second hearing that the seed begins to grow, taking root and producing fruit. This transformation happens when we allow the word to go beyond surface-level understanding and begin to reflect deeply on it.
When we hear the Word of God twice, we are actively engaging in a process that opens the door to deep spiritual growth. We allow God to reveal layers of truth that were not immediately apparent the first time. This meditation helps us move from mere intellectual understanding to experiential knowledge.
We become what you hear. We don’t just know about love—we love. We don’t just know about faith—we live by faith. This is the ultimate goal of hearing twice: for the Word of God to become so intertwined with our hearts that it changes the very essence of who we are.
To start this as a practice, I’ve outlined how I started too.
1. Thinking on Scripture
After reading or hearing a particular truth from God, try not to rush to move on to the next thing or share it. Like Jesus in Acts 1:1, it must first become a part of you. Take time to meditate deeply on it. What is God really saying? How does it apply to your life? Let the truth sink into your heart. Devote to this for 5 minutes and keep increasing the time till you are more comfortable.
2. Prayerful Reflection
Speak with God about what you’ve heard. Ask Him for insight. Often, the second hearing comes through an ongoing dialogue with God as you seek a greater understanding of what He has spoken.
3. Waiting in Stillness
Practice waiting on God. Don’t be in a hurry to act on the revelation you’ve received. Instead, sit with it for a while, allowing God to reveal more in His timing.
4. Apply Incrementally
Instead of rushing into full action, apply what you’ve learned in small, practical ways. As you do this, you will see the truth of God’s word come alive in your life. The more you apply it, the more deeply it takes root.
