HEAR ME!

Then shall the righteous shine forth
as the sun in the kingdom of their
Father. Who hath ears to hear,
let him hear.
Matthew 13:43

We just returned home from a wonderful Bible seminar at the Billy Graham Cove led by Larry Crabb. In the study of the book of Colossians, we delved into the subject of recognizing false teaching in our day and the goal of living the true Gospel. Even back in the day of the Colossian church, Paul had learned of the drifting of the church at that time into false teaching. The same false teaching then has also drifted down into our own day and is rampant in many circles.

There are many pastors today who want to preach an easy Christian life gospel. They say if we do certain things, we will live lives of happiness and bliss as Christians, a message never promised in Scripture. There are two problems at play here. For one, people tend to believe everything they hear from the pulpit, never evaluating even questionable things said up against the Scriptures. The second problem, is that a good many Christians don't know the Scriptures for themselves. They want leaders to do all of the studying and searching so they don't have to, thus it's easy to fall into false teaching. There are preachers on television today with big smiles and personalities that are convincing Christians how perfect the Christian life will be if they do certain things.

One of the most important things our teacher this week pointed out that really got my attention was something I had read any number of times, but hadn't really pondered. It sent me on a mental search and physical one as well as I delved into the only concordance I had with me. It was the end of each of the instruction to the seven churches in Revelation John was instructed by the Holy Spirit to write. John writes to seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3. He calls their attention to positive things about their churches as well as pointing out areas where improvement is greatly needed. At the end of each of the messages to those seven churches, there is a common admonition said to each of them. (2:7,11,17,29 and 3:6,13,22) Each sentence says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” It was pointed out to us the use of the word “hear.” Nothing was said about listening in those sentences. I wondered why.

I have known that listening and hearing are two different things although they may be dependent on each other. Listening is the physical action by which a voice is heard and those tones register on ear drums, thus registering pictures and thoughts in the brain. However, listening doesn't mean things are registering and being heeded. Hearing is also a physical process, but seems to mean there is more adherence to what is said. John didn't write to those churches that they should listen to what he was saying. He was interested in their hearing his words.

Just getting on my computer and looking up both words I found the word “listen” in only one verse of Scripture that was found in Isaiah (KJV). I found the word “hear” 2248 times. I found the word “hear” somewhere in 38 Old Testament books and 25 times in New Testament books. “Hearken” is included 283 times in that overall number and for good reason. As I look at the word “hearken”, it's clear to see the word of interest. So I conclude for myself that God isn't nearly as interested in my merely listening to His word even though that's important, as really hearing what He has to say. However, in the listening process, it's easy for it to go in one ear and out the other, as my Mother would say. When we really hear, we are taking in not only what has registered in the ear, but whatever has truly been heard, will be retained.

Why all the encouragement for people to hear or hearken? Sticking with me was when our teacher said, “The Holy Spirit always has something to say to those with hearing heart.” I felt a real conviction settle in on me as I thought of the thousands of sermons, Sunday school lessons and Bible studies I've sat through where I mostly listened, even taking notes. So often though, I wonder how often I was really hearing what the Spirit wanted to say. He would have said much if I was really listening in order to hear.

The word “hearken” is also in the mix and it's obvious when we look at the word itself...”hearken.” Hark was a word often used in Scripture to really get someones attention. Another word I hadn't paid that much attention to is the word, “heart”...heart. You see, when I am really hearing what the Spirit has to say, it may register in my brain, but settles down in a serious way in my heart.

By the way, the opening verse I have used in the beginning is a direct quote by Jesus. In Matthew, Mark and Luke, He uses these same words (hear) a total of 8 times. Jesus didn't use the word “listen.” He really wanted the people to hear, soak up, believe and put into action in every way whatever He said.

How well am I hearing what the Spirit wants to say to me? He is willing to speak if I'm available to hear...really hear...what He has to say. My prayer is that I will be alert to this lesson learned because my heart's desire is to know Him better and walk with Him closer than ever before.

Father, I'm so grateful for how You speak into my life through Your sweet Spirit. May I slow down enough to really absorb all He has to say to my heart. I pray for a “hearing heart” that will draw me closer to You. In Jesus' sweet name...Amen

HEAR ME!

Then shall the righteous shine forth
as the sun in the kingdom of their
Father. Who hath ears to hear,
let him hear.
Matthew 13:43

We just returned home from a wonderful Bible seminar at the Billy Graham Cove led by Larry Crabb. In the study of the book of Colossians, we delved into the subject of recognizing false teaching in our day and the goal of living the true Gospel. Even back in the day of the Colossian church, Paul had learned of the drifting of the church at that time into false teaching. The same false teaching then has also drifted down into our own day and is rampant in many circles.

There are many pastors today who want to preach an easy Christian life gospel. They say if we do certain things, we will live lives of happiness and bliss as Christians, a message never promised in Scripture. There are two problems at play here. For one, people tend to believe everything they hear from the pulpit, never evaluating even questionable things said up against the Scriptures. The second problem, is that a good many Christians don't know the Scriptures for themselves. They want leaders to do all of the studying and searching so they don't have to, thus it's easy to fall into false teaching. There are preachers on television today with big smiles and personalities that are convincing Christians how perfect the Christian life will be if they do certain things.

One of the most important things our teacher this week pointed out that really got my attention was something I had read any number of times, but hadn't really pondered. It sent me on a mental search and physical one as well as I delved into the only concordance I had with me. It was the end of each of the instruction to the seven churches in Revelation John was instructed by the Holy Spirit to write. John writes to seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3. He calls their attention to positive things about their churches as well as pointing out areas where improvement is greatly needed. At the end of each of the messages to those seven churches, there is a common admonition said to each of them. (2:7,11,17,29 and 3:6,13,22) Each sentence says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” It was pointed out to us the use of the word “hear.” Nothing was said about listening in those sentences. I wondered why.

I have known that listening and hearing are two different things although they may be dependent on each other. Listening is the physical action by which a voice is heard and those tones register on ear drums, thus registering pictures and thoughts in the brain. However, listening doesn't mean things are registering and being heeded. Hearing is also a physical process, but seems to mean there is more adherence to what is said. John didn't write to those churches that they should listen to what he was saying. He was interested in their hearing his words.

Just getting on my computer and looking up both words I found the word “listen” in only one verse of Scripture that was found in Isaiah (KJV). I found the word “hear” 2248 times. I found the word “hear” somewhere in 38 Old Testament books and 25 times in New Testament books. “Hearken” is included 283 times in that overall number and for good reason. As I look at the word “hearken”, it's clear to see the word of interest. So I conclude for myself that God isn't nearly as interested in my merely listening to His word even though that's important, as really hearing what He has to say. However, in the listening process, it's easy for it to go in one ear and out the other, as my Mother would say. When we really hear, we are taking in not only what has registered in the ear, but whatever has truly been heard, will be retained.

Why all the encouragement for people to hear or hearken? Sticking with me was when our teacher said, “The Holy Spirit always has something to say to those with hearing heart.” I felt a real conviction settle in on me as I thought of the thousands of sermons, Sunday school lessons and Bible studies I've sat through where I mostly listened, even taking notes. So often though, I wonder how often I was really hearing what the Spirit wanted to say. He would have said much if I was really listening in order to hear.

The word “hearken” is also in the mix and it's obvious when we look at the word itself...”hearken.” Hark was a word often used in Scripture to really get someones attention. Another word I hadn't paid that much attention to is the word, “heart”...heart. You see, when I am really hearing what the Spirit has to say, it may register in my brain, but settles down in a serious way in my heart.

By the way, the opening verse I have used in the beginning is a direct quote by Jesus. In Matthew, Mark and Luke, He uses these same words (hear) a total of 8 times. Jesus didn't use the word “listen.” He really wanted the people to hear, soak up, believe and put into action in every way whatever He said.

How well am I hearing what the Spirit wants to say to me? He is willing to speak if I'm available to hear...really hear...what He has to say. My prayer is that I will be alert to this lesson learned because my heart's desire is to know Him better and walk with Him closer than ever before.

Father, I'm so grateful for how You speak into my life through Your sweet Spirit. May I slow down enough to really absorb all He has to say to my heart. I pray for a “hearing heart” that will draw me closer to You. In Jesus' sweet name...Amen