Examine Your Ears!
Ponder: Three possibilities; only one is good.
Scripture: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15 NKJV).
You won’t need a mirror for this. Important as your physical ears are, they pale in comparison to your willingness to learn and obey God’s word.
Isaiah described his stubborn, self-willed people as having ears that were hard of hearing (Isaiah 6:9, 10). Jesus and Paul applied Isaiah’s words to first-century folk (Matthew 13:15; Romans 11:8). What about us? When God speaks (through His word), do we listen (understand and obey)?
Paul warned against having “itching ears.” This spiritual itch prompted people to “heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts” (2 Timothy 4:3). Just as a dog likes to have its ears scratched, so people enjoy being told that whatever they want to believe and do is all right with God. Even today, some want only teaching that makes them comfortable, while objecting to passages and topics that prick the conscience.
Instead of having ears that itch or that are hard of hearing, let’s have “ears to hear”! Each of the letters to the seven churches of Asia (Revelation chapters 2 & 3) closes with this exhortation: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (2:7 etc.). Ten times in the gospels, Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15 etc.). He used those words after telling parables or explaining particularly difficult truths.
Virtually everyone has ears; but not everyone has “ears to hear.” That is, not everyone is interested enough to listen. Not everyone is devoted enough to put forth the effort to understand and obey. God will not force us against our will. If we are wise, however, we will discipline ourselves. Eternity is at stake. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Song: “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”
Prayer: Father in Heaven, thank You for the truth, Your word. Help us, we pray, to hear and to heed it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Joe Slater (Justin, TX)