Luke 8:18 (King James Version)
18Take 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.
During family devotion Linda and I discovered this verse that I am sure we have read numerous times before, but as it sometimes happens we saw this verse in a new light. The latter part of the verse is the part that is most often taught. Look again at the phrase “Take heed how you hear”.
This particular passage refers to careless hearers who hear the word and do not believe. To paraphrase Matthew Henry………….
(1)Satan takes the word out of the hearts of careless hearers, lest they believe and be saved.
(2)Satan causes us not to believe when we hear
(3)If we hear and heed the word for a while Satan wants us to forget it and let it slip
(4)When we remember the word Satan prejudges our minds against it and diverts it to something else.
(5)In consideration of this, we must take heed of those things which will hinder our profiting by the word. We must not hear carelessly or slightly and we must take heed after we have heard the word that we do not loose what we have gained.
When the Bible is taught in church, how much do we actually hear? How much do we contemplate? How much do we act upon? Again Matthew Henry says, “Those things given to us in secret must be made manifest in our daily lives”. The words “In secret” simple means by the working of the Holy Spirit, things that are revealed to us.
To hear the Word of God is very serious and very wonderful, but it comes with and obligation and duty to share that word, that thought, that glimpse of understanding that has been given to us. If we keep it to ourselves and do not share it, we will lose it, but if we share it, more will be given. What we receive of the word is not something that only we are to know, like a child’s secret, but it is something to share, and in sharing more will be made known to us.
God forbid that we hear as I am afraid most church going people hear, carelessly. Some hear but are not truly listening. They are caught up in their own cares and worries or thinking about what they are going to do after church. Some hear and understand, but they think that the daily tasks of life leave no thing to share.
One can hear carelessly by hearing and understanding only what fits one’s preconceived ideas. This leads to some very unbiblical beliefs. When we read the Bible, we need to read it as if we have never read it before, through prayer letting God work His wonders in our hearts and minds.
1 Thessalonians 1:5-18 (King James Version)
5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
