"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." (Luke 8:18)

God has laid upon my heart of late how the body of Christ reads the word, hear sermons, tapes, videos, etc., but do we really "hear"? I'm very concerned for God's people, and desire them to take good and careful heed to His Holy Word. It's not by opinion that we should hear. It must be by fact--fact in the trust of God's Word. Even those with hearing loss can understand and do God's commands.

"And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness." (Isaiah 29:18)

It's not so much about physical hearing, but the Bible calls it more "spiritual" hearing with intentions to obey, do, and fully grasp the truths presented. Many spiritual cult leaders sit and listen to "a" spirit. Many people read and listen to false teachers, spiritualists, gurus, etc. and then take heed to what "they" say but reject God's Word.

Again, it's more then physical hearing its spiritual understanding, obedience, and a willingness to "do" what He has said. The Word of God has much to say about this subject. In fact, the word "hear" is used in some 516 verses. But much of the time it is drowned out by the sights, sounds, and attractions presented to us in the world today. So, what is your attitude about "hearing" God's Word? Jesus says,

"And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some [seeds] fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed [are] your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see [those things] which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear [those things] which ye hear, and have not heard [them]. Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth [it]; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." (Matthew 13:3-30)

Why is it important for us to listen to the word of God? Because it's our life—our owners manual to life. John 6:63 says.

"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life."

As we need physical food and water for our bodies so we must have God's Word to sustain our "whole" life—body, soul, and mind. The dangers of not feeding on God's Word are clearly stated. We will dry up and our life will start to parish.

"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit…If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned." (John 15:2,6)

Let me give you some Scriptural examples of things to remember so that we may grow in grace and strength in our God.

"And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you." (Deuteronomy 13:11)

"Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed." (Isaiah 66:5)

See also Exodus 15:14; 20:19; Deuteronomy 4:33; 21:21.

The Prophecy of the Last Days Lack of Hearing

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD" (Amos 8:11)

See also 1 Corinthians 14:21

To Hear and Understand

"And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God." (Acts 13:44)

A Call to Hear God Speak

"Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do [it]; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one LORD" (Deuteronomy 6:3,4)

See also Exodus 19:9; Numbers 9:8; 12:6; Deuteronomy 4:6,10,36; 5:1,27; 12:28; 29:4; 30:12; 32:1,2; Joshua 3:9; 2 Kings 20:16; Psalms 66:16; 85:8; Ecclesiastes 5:1; Isaiah 1:10; 32:9; Hosea 4:1; Matthew 5:15; John 8:43; Hebrews 3:7; James 1:19; Revelation 2:7.

The Accountability of Hearing

"But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, [and that] ye shall not prolong [your] days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it." (Deuteronomy 30:17,18)

See also Deuteronomy 1:43; Nehemiah 9:29; Isaiah 6:9,10; 28:12; Jeremiah 23:22; Malachi 2:2; Matthew 18:17; Mark 4:12,24; Luke 8:18.

God is ready to hear Us

"LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear" (Psalm 10:17)

See also Psalm 17:6; 60:5; 143:8; John 10:27.

Idols will not hear when the Heathen Pray to them

"They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not" (Psalm 115:6)

To Hear Instruction of Wisdom

"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother" (Prov. 1:18)

See also Proverbs 4:10; 5:7; 19:20; 23:14; Matthew 13:13.

"The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them." (Matthew 11:5)

"So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

"Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand." (Revelation 1:3)

We are commanded to Hear Jesus Only

"And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him." (Mark 9:7)

God's Word is a precious trumpet sounding in our ears. A call to great dependence on Him. A call to obedience based on our hearing Him. Let's not be dull of hearing but sharp and attune to all His commandments.

Commit that you will now humble yourself and pray, seek Him, and desire to truly hear Him speak.

Amen?

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