He who has an ear to hear, let him hear...
MATTHEW 11 : 15 NKJV
15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
REVELATION 2 : 29 NKJV
29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’
Jesus used this phrase several times, but why? It seems to be fairly obvious that one needs to be listening in order to hear. How often are we listening to others but not hearing? How much time do we give to God to listen to Him? What are the things which keep us from hearing what we should be hearing? If we are listening but not hearing, are we distracted, or do we not agree with the person who is speaking, or just think that we know better than them?
The world that we live in is fast paced and full of distractions and busyness. We can rise in the morning and have to get somewhere on time, work all day and then desire relaxation. How do we relax? Do we fill our time up with things to do and if we are not doing are we watching television or looking on the internet? How much time then do we have for Listening to God? How much time do we have for listening to family? How much time do we have for fellowship with others? How often would we say something like "I am busy right now, but I will catch up with you later." Who keeps people busy? I believe that it is the work of Satan. If we are too busy for God, our focus has been taken away from our own salvation and the salvation of others. That is one of the main reasons why we are on this earth. How much love can we give to another person when we are not even listening to them or spending time with them?
MARK 4 : 13 - 20 NKJV
15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
REVELATION 2 : 29 NKJV
29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’
Jesus used this phrase several times, but why? It seems to be fairly obvious that one needs to be listening in order to hear. How often are we listening to others but not hearing? How much time do we give to God to listen to Him? What are the things which keep us from hearing what we should be hearing? If we are listening but not hearing, are we distracted, or do we not agree with the person who is speaking, or just think that we know better than them?
The world that we live in is fast paced and full of distractions and busyness. We can rise in the morning and have to get somewhere on time, work all day and then desire relaxation. How do we relax? Do we fill our time up with things to do and if we are not doing are we watching television or looking on the internet? How much time then do we have for Listening to God? How much time do we have for listening to family? How much time do we have for fellowship with others? How often would we say something like "I am busy right now, but I will catch up with you later." Who keeps people busy? I believe that it is the work of Satan. If we are too busy for God, our focus has been taken away from our own salvation and the salvation of others. That is one of the main reasons why we are on this earth. How much love can we give to another person when we are not even listening to them or spending time with them?
MARK 4 : 13 - 20 NKJV
13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. 18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
From verses 18 and 19 we can see some of the obstacles that we will encounter described by Jesus.
18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Who tempts us with alternatives to the things of God? Satan and his workers. We can do something about this. I suggest that we can ask God to show us where we are not hearing Him and others and ask Him to tell us the reasons why. We then have an opportunity of repentance and reconciliation to God and to others. It is never too late.
From verses 18 and 19 we can see some of the obstacles that we will encounter described by Jesus.
18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Who tempts us with alternatives to the things of God? Satan and his workers. We can do something about this. I suggest that we can ask God to show us where we are not hearing Him and others and ask Him to tell us the reasons why. We then have an opportunity of repentance and reconciliation to God and to others. It is never too late.
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