A Timely Warning

By Truman Spring

We have many scriptures that state: “He that hath an ear let him hear”. However, we call your attention to a statement that Jesus made as recorded in Mark 4:24 he said “take heed to what you hear”. This advice should be heeded because the power of the spoken word is tremendous. And since we live in a fallen world there exists both “error” and ‘truth”. Words can be manipulated so as to deceive. Jesus said that “He is the way, the truth and the life”. He also declared in John 8:44, “that the Devil is the father of all lies”. And so therefore, we are exposed to both: the truth and to error. That’s why the warning is so vital that we scrutinize what we hear. Let us use our ears to listen to that which brings blessings unto us. 

The effects of listening to the truth can be seen In Acts 13:46-48 where we learn that Paul, on his missionary journey, after the Jews became jealous of the Gentile audience, So Paul reached to the Gentiles and it is stated that:

1.  “as many that heard the word were glad.
2. and then glorified and honored the word of the Lord (through obedience)
3. And thus, were ordained to eternal life”

So that’s why we need to give so much heed or attention to what we hear. Because, it is in what we hear, that we begin to know the truth and obey the truth.

But why should we take such caution to what we hear? 

Well we should know that all men are fallible. Good men, learned men, pious men all can err. One can believe a lie and one can repeat a lie. However, nothing but the truth will benefit our souls. An error told produces chaos, and disorder. An error misleads, deludes, confuses, hinders and jeopardizes one’s acceptance with God. 

So therefore we want to hear with reverence when we have an opportunity to hear the word of God spoken-even read-with sincere attention and with a spirit of application of the truths we hear to our lives. 

We want to know the truth and Jesus said that “the truth would make us free”. Paul wrote he “was free from all men because he did not shun to declare the truth”. Let us take benefit and hear the word of God, examine ourselves and the effects that hearing the truth has had on our lives. 

Have we heard well? Are we any wiser? Are we more humble? Are we more delighted? Is Christ more precious to us? Is sin more loathsome? Is heaven more desirable? If so, no wonder Jesus said he that sees not and yet believes will be blessed in this life. So again let’s give heed to what we hear.