Don’t Just Hear – Listen

In our church, we are going through the book of Mark verse by verse. This week we were in Mark 4:21-25. Pastor Justin’s sermon was titled Developing Spiritual Ears.

In the passage cited, Jesus tells his disciples, including the twelve, a lamp isn’t meant to be hidden, but its purpose is to give light. Jesus is speaking to them in parables and they ask Him what the parables mean. He also tells them If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear, verse 23 (ESV).

Those of us who have the physical ability to hear, hear the words of others, but are we truly listening to what they’re saying? Jesus was telling His disciples to listen for truth and to speak truth.

HEARING VS. LISTENING

Hearing is passive, but listening goes beyond merely hearing to understanding and letting the words become a part of our lives—who we are, the decisions we make. Especially as it relates to listening to the Word of God, our Bible—truth.

Hearing is a physical thing. Listening goes beyond the physical to the spiritual and requires us to focus, to let the words settle in our minds and in our hearts. Listening opens doors that will remain shut if we only hear and do not apply what we’ve heard so that it changes our lives and others’ lives. We shouldn’t just read our Bibles. We are to go so deep that we listen for God’s voice in every word.

True listening demands obedience. Jesus calls us to not only follow Him, but to spread the good news with those in the world. When we merely hear, we don’t get to the heart of the message. But when we listen with open minds, hearts, and spirits, we not only change, but we are then able to change those around us. Read Mark 4:13-20 for Jesus’s explanation of the Parable of the Sower.

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LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

When we confess Christ as our Lord and Savior and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, (read Romans 10:9) we will understand. It’s like a light shining forth leading us into the way, the truth, and the life. And when that Light lives within us, we are able to shine before others and lead them to the truth. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16 ESV).

Light symbolizes the truth, righteousness, and the love of God reflected in a believer’s life (Google). Good works  are acts of charity, kindness, and faithful living that flow from a transformed heart (Google). As stated in a recent blog post, the first question of the catechism is: What is the chief end of man? The answer is: To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

 Do you have trouble with listening? Ask God to help you with that. When you understand and go beyond merely hearing to listening, you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32 ESV).

*I am no Bible scholar. The thoughts expressed within my posts come from my heart. If you see errors in my thinking, please let me know.

Blessings, y’all!

I fell in love with Kathleen Battle’s voice the first time I heard it, many years ago. And don’t we all love this song from our childhood?  I pray it blesses you.