• Deliberate sin “If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.” Psalm 66:18–19 • Turning a deaf ear to people in need “If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.” Proverbs 21:13 • Ignoring God’s teaching “If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.” Proverbs 28:9 • Active participation