How Do You Hear?

One of the biggest problems facing lots of Christians today is the ability to hear God's voice. A lot of us struggle to hear His voice, yet Jesus said, "my sheep hear and know my voice" So who's lying? Jesus or Us? In this blogpost I shed light into a famous scripture text, that will show us where the problem lies

Luke 8:18

Jesus words to the disciples,” Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have , even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.”

These words are heavy in two ways; in one way they are tough words and in the other way they are laden with meaning.

Jesus was telling the disciples this right after He had shared the parable of the sower and the seed of which He later on interpreted the meaning to his disciples.

The parable of the sower, we all know it but how much time do we spend dissecting it and applying it to our own lives?

The parable of the sower, we all know it but bow much time do we spend dissecting it and applying it to our own lives?

There are four categories of peoples’ hearts according to Jesus. That's in regard to how they hear and receive the word of God.

1. Path Hearts

To one, known as the ‘path-hearts’ (my own terminology) the word of God is preached.

This type of people hear the word but since the word fell along the path, the devil comes and takes it away from them.

2. Rock Hearts

Then there is the other kind of people known as the ‘rock-hearts’.

These people hear the word but it falls on the rocks of their hearts though they receive it with joy! The word doesn't take root in them, they then falter at the time of testing.

3. Thorn Hearts

The other category are the ‘thorn-hearts’.

They hear the word of God but because of the thorns of worry, cares, riches and pleasures, the word does not grow in them, instead it is choked out.

4. Good Hearts

The last but not least category is the ‘good-heart’.

This type of people hear the same word that was preached to all of the rest and because of the goodness of their hearts they receive the word, the word takes root, it grows and with time a bountiful harvest is produced.

Note that all heard the word but the disposition of their hearts determined how they heard. God’s word is the same yesterday, today and forever and it is the same to everyone.

It doesn’t matter the translation, the word doesn't change because of the language or culture.

Hence the question, how come some Christians appear to be more mature than others? Or why do some appear to produce more fruit than others? It’s all in the hearing.

In other versions the verse reads as “take heed how you hear”, in other words in the attitude in which you hear the word of God.

The hearing or the attitude you take or the disposition of your heart will determine what you receive!

Mind you, Jesus warns of the ‘how’ of hearing and not the ‘what’ of hearing. The what is already taken care of for it’s the content of the word but it is the ‘how’ that is dependent on us.

Remember that faith comes by hearing the word of God, thus if faith depends on hearing then this hearing is key!

For it's by faith we live, it's by faith we are justified, it's by faith we please God and if all this faith depends on hearing, then we must hear well. Therefore, in the words of Jesus, “Take heed HOW you hear”.