Listening to God
I wondered why Jesus taught people mainly with parables. When Jesus disciples asked why, he said those who REALLY LISTEN will gain understanding. But for others, Jesus quoted Isaiah:
“The hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes — so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’
— Matthew 13 NLT
In the famous parable of a farmer sowing seed, some fell on:
* HARD GROUND. For those who don’t listen, Satan snaps away the Word like birds eating scattered seed.
* ROCKY GROUND. Those who begin to listen, but have “no root”, fall away when difficulties or persecution come.
* AMONG THORNS. Spiritual growth is choked by WORRIES and the DECEITFULNESS of WEALTH.
* GOOD GROUND. Those who really listen and allow God’s message to affect them produce MUCH FRUIT.
This parable isn’t only about those who hear God’s word the first time. My wife Win and I decided it also applies to us who have been believers a long time: Like the first three soils, we can become UNFRUITFUL when we don’t LISTEN to God.
Coffee/tea thought: Each time we read the word of God, let’s ask, “Lord, what do you want to say to me today?” And let our hearts be open to what he says.
John
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