A Blessing To Be Properly Used!

Someone has said, "Talk and you say what you already know, but listen and you learn something new." [author unknown]

To speak what we know can help reaffirm it in our minds and the recall of facts can aid in our retention of them. However, if we fail to spend time LISTENING we will never learn anything further. As Jesus spoke in the hearing of many of the Jewish leaders of that day, they already had their minds so made up about the law and even things relating to the promised Messiah that they would neither accept Him nor His teaching.

Right before Stephen was stoned to death, as he testified about the Lord we read the people "cried out with a loud voice and STOPPED THEIR EARS and rushed together at him." ( Acts 7:57 ESV) They refused to LISTEN and accept the truth of Jesus.

When Jesus talked about John the Baptist who had prepared the way for His coming, He exhorted. . .
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Mathew 11:15 ESV)

When Jesus told the parable of the Sower -- revealing the varying character of hearts -- He ended by urging. . .
"He who has ears, let him hear." ( Matthew 13:9 ESV)

When Jesus explained the parable to the weeds, He again exhorted. . .
". . . He who has ears, let him hear." (Mathew 13:43b ESV)

In Revelation's letters to the seven churches, each one ended with a similar urging. ( Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, & 29; 3:6, 13, & 22)

What a blessing ears are, but what a waste when they are not put to proper use. It has been noted that the simple fact we have two ears and only one mouth may imply the need for twice as much LISTENING as speaking. Though it is true that all we hear may not be worth LISTENING to, unless we LISTEN carefully we are destined to miss that which is worth accepting. "He who has ears, let him hear."

Have a great day WISELY USING THOSE TWO GIFTS BESIDE US!
Carl

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