I address the following comments especially to those who have two ears. Even those who have only one ear are welcome to note what I say. The truth is, even if we all have two ears it is possible that we do not hear very well – or that we do not listen well. Having two ears does not necessarily mean we listen well. If you have children, you know what I mean.
Recently while in the waiting room of a hospital I noticed that a doctor arrived and spoke to a group of people about their friend or family member whose surgery had just been completed. The eyes of each person were wide open and looking straight at the doctor. It was obvious that they really wanted to know what the doctor said. They wanted to know about the condition of their friend or loved one who was at that moment in Recovery. They were listening intently. They wanted to hear.
How well do we listen? Is it enough to merely hear the sound? Or do we want to know what has been said? That family in the hospital – every part of their conscious mind was straining to hear what that doctor had to say.
When God’s word is read or quoted in our presence, how well do we listen? Are our minds as open to it as the minds of that family were open to the doctor?
Jesus had quite a bit to say about our hearing and listening. Many sages spoke in that day whose eloquence was widely known, but Jesus spoke with God’s authority, revealing His love and justice.
In Luke 8:18 Jesus is quoted:
“Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.”
“How” we hear is important. Some do not pay attention to what is said, while others hear only what they want to hear. Some purposely misunderstand without realizing they do so. Others may be distracted so that they do not hear enough to understand. People who will not listen will never have sufficient faith to oppose Satan and serve God.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God...” Romans 10:17.
There is another facet of listening that is equally important, that of what we hear, what we listen to and heed. Again, Jesus said:
“If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. Take heed what ye hear,” Mark 4:24.
In this statement Jesus emphasizes the content of what we hear. To what do you “lend” your ear? We live in a profane world, and profane language is so common and so “acceptable” to many that we may not even notice what we hear. Our homes, however, should be a place of shelter as well as preparation to face our world.
It may seem to be enough for us to refrain from the use of profanity, but it would be better if our friends knew we do not use vulgar, off-color language because of our respect for God and His word. It is not self-righteous to do so, but merely letting our associates and friends know where we stand.
Do we give our approval to such language by tuning in to programs in our living rooms? Do we rent or attend movies that are filled with such foul language? Children often will repeat what they hear – even if it is not what we say, but what they hear at home from the TV set.
The technology for eliminating such language is easily available and relatively inexpensive. There are some offerings on television that have good qualities, but new ethical codes have injected profanity into even those programs as well.
It will also be necessary for us to reject tale bearing and gossip. For some reason, otherwise good folks can find themselves passing such “information” from their lips to the ears of others. Solomon wrote:
“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth,” Proverbs 26:20.
It may be advantageous for us to manage our “listening” by being more careful about who we are willing to hear. It was Jesus who said:
“Beware of false prophets, which come toyouin sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits,” Matthew 7:15-16.
It is not a matter of being one who is suspicious, but of being careful to whom we lend our ear. Are they teaching you God’s truth? Or are they willing to “wrest” the scripture as seen in 2 Peter 3:16. This warning addresses the fact that some will “twist, pervert or wrest” the word of God to fit their own preferences. Paul commended those of Berea because:
“they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so,” Acts 17:11.
We are always wise to compare what we hear from any pulpit with what the Bible says. No preacher worthy of our attention will object to such, but will always appreciate such an attitude.
Let us all be careful of how, what and who we hear.
