Post by Les Brewer on Mar 18, 2020 21:54:42 GMT
THE HEART OF HEARING
According to the parable of the sower we are shown different types of ground or soil which the seed of salvation or the Word of God can be sown into. In those days a farmer would carry a bag filled with seed and he would disperse that seed by hand and then once the seed was sown it would later be ploughed into the ground. In the parable of the sower; the surface of heart is pictured as ground.
Some hearts are vulnerable (hard)
Some hearts are impregnable (shallow)
Some hearts are distractible (preoccupied)
Some hearts are receptacles (prepared)
A sincere listener of the Word will:
(1) Comprehend it;
(2) Receive it;
(3) Retain it:
(4) Apply it.
When the Spirit speaks can you hear and will you listen? So many times we put God in our doctrinal box and if he happens to speak outside of that box we’ve trained our ear to only hear what we believe. The truth is that we’ve developed doctrines based many times upon personal convictions which we impose upon others.
If the Spirit didn’t originate it we cannot organize it; doctrines were developed through comprehensive study for the purpose of establishing the church to walk in unity. Denominations are the byproducts of the difference in the interpretation of scripture and the development of their doctrinal statements and practice. Many distinctions are the product of carnal convictions or interpretations posing as spirituality and then integrated into the doctrine of a denomination. The parable of the sower is significant concerning the way we listen to the Spirit.
In every congregation we have a multiplex of listeners:
The dispassionate listener
The critical listener
The objective listener
The rebellious listener
(15) But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
(16) No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
(17) For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
(18) Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. Luke 8:15-18 KJV
A point concerning false indoctrination! There came a dispute in Jerusalem concerning the circumcision of gentile believers which Peter refuted forthwith pointing out the condition for salvation.
(5) But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
(6) And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
(7) And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
(8) And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
(9) And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
(10) Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
(11) But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Acts 15:5-11 KJV
The Pharisees in my mind represent people who are more concerned about their traditions than the freedom from the carnal works of the law which Christ fulfilled to set us at liberty. The Pharisees were willing to embrace gentile Christians as long as those gentile Christians embraced the Law of Moses. Many today follow the example of the Pharisees and mandate their traditions over the word of God. It is the gospel of Christ that saves us; not the mandates of men. We must know the gospel of Christ through earnest study of the words of Christ and the epistles of the New Testament and listen to biblical preaching and teaching. This will cause us to have sound faith based upon sound doctrine and enable us to hear the Spirit when he speaks to us.
God is a good God with good gifts! Those gifts are incentives for inducing our confidence and encourage us to pray fervently to receive inspiration that propels us forward into spiritual growth that reflects the image of Christ and bring glory to God and the gospel we believe and practice. Earnest prayer enables us to enter into the presence of the Lord thereby enhancing our ability to hear him personally.
Brethren when the Spirit is speaking whether through Personal Communion, the Word, Unction, or a Revelation Gift; we should take heed how we listen. Each of these facets is the Seed of God! Seed has purpose within it; once we allow it to penetrate and germinate it will demonstrate the purpose for which it was sown. Therefore become good soil prepared to hear and heed the seed.
(18) Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
We have a promise; “whosoever has, to him shall be given”. We will be given increase in understanding which fortifies and enhances our lives. We must learn to discern! When we hear bona fide proven doctrine our ears know it because we’ve learned through study and experience when something is of the Spirit because it lines us with the whole counsel of God’s word. Finally brethren I leave you with an exhortation concerning the heart of hearing.
(17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
(18) Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
(19) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
(20) For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
(21) Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
(22) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:17-22 KJV
The word of God is the bread of life; the more we eat the more we grow. Let us therefore learn to listen thoughtfully and lay aside every carnal concept that doesn’t agree with the word. Truth birthed us into the Kingdom of God and practicing it in our lives secures our knowledge more and more as we live this spiritual life to the glory of God. Keep the faith and the faith will keep you! Selah
D. Ray Ritchie (Faith Evangelistic Ministries Int.)
According to the parable of the sower we are shown different types of ground or soil which the seed of salvation or the Word of God can be sown into. In those days a farmer would carry a bag filled with seed and he would disperse that seed by hand and then once the seed was sown it would later be ploughed into the ground. In the parable of the sower; the surface of heart is pictured as ground.
Some hearts are vulnerable (hard)
Some hearts are impregnable (shallow)
Some hearts are distractible (preoccupied)
Some hearts are receptacles (prepared)
A sincere listener of the Word will:
(1) Comprehend it;
(2) Receive it;
(3) Retain it:
(4) Apply it.
When the Spirit speaks can you hear and will you listen? So many times we put God in our doctrinal box and if he happens to speak outside of that box we’ve trained our ear to only hear what we believe. The truth is that we’ve developed doctrines based many times upon personal convictions which we impose upon others.
If the Spirit didn’t originate it we cannot organize it; doctrines were developed through comprehensive study for the purpose of establishing the church to walk in unity. Denominations are the byproducts of the difference in the interpretation of scripture and the development of their doctrinal statements and practice. Many distinctions are the product of carnal convictions or interpretations posing as spirituality and then integrated into the doctrine of a denomination. The parable of the sower is significant concerning the way we listen to the Spirit.
In every congregation we have a multiplex of listeners:
The dispassionate listener
The critical listener
The objective listener
The rebellious listener
(15) But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
(16) No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
(17) For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
(18) Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. Luke 8:15-18 KJV
A point concerning false indoctrination! There came a dispute in Jerusalem concerning the circumcision of gentile believers which Peter refuted forthwith pointing out the condition for salvation.
(5) But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
(6) And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
(7) And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
(8) And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
(9) And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
(10) Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
(11) But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Acts 15:5-11 KJV
The Pharisees in my mind represent people who are more concerned about their traditions than the freedom from the carnal works of the law which Christ fulfilled to set us at liberty. The Pharisees were willing to embrace gentile Christians as long as those gentile Christians embraced the Law of Moses. Many today follow the example of the Pharisees and mandate their traditions over the word of God. It is the gospel of Christ that saves us; not the mandates of men. We must know the gospel of Christ through earnest study of the words of Christ and the epistles of the New Testament and listen to biblical preaching and teaching. This will cause us to have sound faith based upon sound doctrine and enable us to hear the Spirit when he speaks to us.
God is a good God with good gifts! Those gifts are incentives for inducing our confidence and encourage us to pray fervently to receive inspiration that propels us forward into spiritual growth that reflects the image of Christ and bring glory to God and the gospel we believe and practice. Earnest prayer enables us to enter into the presence of the Lord thereby enhancing our ability to hear him personally.
Brethren when the Spirit is speaking whether through Personal Communion, the Word, Unction, or a Revelation Gift; we should take heed how we listen. Each of these facets is the Seed of God! Seed has purpose within it; once we allow it to penetrate and germinate it will demonstrate the purpose for which it was sown. Therefore become good soil prepared to hear and heed the seed.
(18) Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
We have a promise; “whosoever has, to him shall be given”. We will be given increase in understanding which fortifies and enhances our lives. We must learn to discern! When we hear bona fide proven doctrine our ears know it because we’ve learned through study and experience when something is of the Spirit because it lines us with the whole counsel of God’s word. Finally brethren I leave you with an exhortation concerning the heart of hearing.
(17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
(18) Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
(19) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
(20) For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
(21) Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
(22) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:17-22 KJV
The word of God is the bread of life; the more we eat the more we grow. Let us therefore learn to listen thoughtfully and lay aside every carnal concept that doesn’t agree with the word. Truth birthed us into the Kingdom of God and practicing it in our lives secures our knowledge more and more as we live this spiritual life to the glory of God. Keep the faith and the faith will keep you! Selah
D. Ray Ritchie (Faith Evangelistic Ministries Int.)
