Ears to Hear

Anyone who has ears to hear should listen. Like 8:8b

Have you ever tried to talk to someone who's mind was not with your conversation, although they were right in front of you and were halfhearted in their listening, obviously their minds elsewhere.

Today I was in church listening to a really good message and a young man was sitting in front of me messaging people on his phone. He was right where he could hear something awesome but his attention was on chatting with friends.

Just before the above scripture Jesus had been telling a parable about seed being sown and how it falls on different soil.

The seed is the word of God. It falls on the path; rocks; thorns and good ground.

The one that believers have to tussle with is the thorns, the cares of life, pleasures etc.

How do I develop good soil? Spending time with The Lord; reading His word and prayer. Another, more unwelcome way, is through brokenness. To be able to hear or to want to hear God works on our ears and sometimes He allows things to dog us so we will come before Him in brokenness, willing to hear.

For me the observer rather than be frustrated or judgmental, I should pray as The Lord is the one who convicts of sin not me and while I am consumed with judgement I am likewise distracted.

The message we were listening to was from Galatians 5:22. We were being told about the fruits of the Spirit. Comical isn't it? Both of us were being filtered through the word. Praise God!