The Power of Hearing

In Matthew 13:19 we read that “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart…”. The devil was able to snatch away the Word from the one who did not understand it. But it is worth noting that just by hearing the Word, regardless of whether it was understood or not, the Word was sown in the heart. Matthew 13:37 says that “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man”. Thus, whenever we hear the Word of God, we are given an opportunity for Jesus Himself to sow that Word in our heart. Even when the Word is not understood, just by hearing it, there is a process of sowing that takes place. Our part is to guard against the devil stealing what has been sown. We do this by understanding what we hear. This is how understanding comes: when we pay attention to the Word we hear and see (for example, through reading), the Lord promises that our hearts will understand (see Matthew 13:15). Again we are instructed to think about what the Scriptures say and the Lord will help us understand everything” (see 2 Timothy 2:7). This means that when we make the effort to THINK about the Word of God, God Himself gives us understanding, and the word He plants in our hearts is established. Even so, we should be doers of the Word and not hearers only so that we do not deceive ourselves (James 1:22).

Jesus also gave this admonition: “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides” (Mark 4:24). Here, Jesus applied the concept of sowing and reaping directly to what you hear. Depending on what you hear, and the intensity with which you hear it, you receive accordingly and even more. When we avail ourselves to hear words that are wholesome and good for building us up in Christ, the Bible says grace  (which also refers to favour, anointing, divine enablement, blessings) is imparted to us through what we hear (see Ephesians 4:29). Additionally, when we avail ourselves to hear the Word of God the Bible teaches that we receive faith (Romans 10:17). It is by this faith alone that we are able to please God and do great exploits in Him (Hebrews 11). Remember, Cornelius and his household? It was as they were hearing the Word of God as Peter spoke that the Holy Spirit fell on them (Acts 10:43-46). Similarly, we can also be filled with the Holy Spirit and receive His power and anointing when we avail ourselves to hear God and His Word.

Jesus said “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad…” (Matthew 12:33). The things we give ourselves to hear become seeds planted in our hearts that bring forth fruits, either good or bad. If what we have given ourselves to hear is of God or consistent with His Word, we are co-labouring with Jesus to plant His words in our hearts. If what we have given ourselves to hear bring no glory to God but only feed our flesh and/or glorifies the devil, we are partnering with the devil to sow evil seeds in our hearts. This leads to destruction (Galatians 6:8). Therefore, we ought to be intentional about what we hear.

Proverbs 4:23 says to guard our hearts with all diligence because out of it springs the issues of life. Simply put, our experiences in life and how we are eventually going to end up depends on the things in our hearts. If so, then we should give ourselves continually to hear the Word of God. In this way, the soil of our hearts will be seeded with the Word and we will set the course of our lives in line with God’s will. We should give ourselves to thinking (meditating) on the Word to receive understanding from the Lord and prevent the devil from stealing what is sown in our hearts. And let us walk in the light of what we have heard so that we will be good servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, bearing good fruits that remain.

Dr. K Omari
January, 2016.

A Very Important Message
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour: “I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen”. If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be discipled to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ.