Pay Attention to How You Listen
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Going straight to the Cross
What I said is not what you thought you heard. Or
was it?
Pay Attention to How You Listen
by Barry Newton
Hardly any physical movement occurred, yet the
attacks and countermovements were worthy of a
Jujitsu championship. Each combatant scrutinized
the other’s every word looking for something to
exploit toward their own verbal advantage.
At times people listen, not for the purpose of
gaining understanding, but to discredit, to
protect or defend themselves. At one time or
another, we have all probably been guilty of
something other than seeking a genuine
understanding. How we listen is important.
After so poignantly teaching how people will
respond differently to God’s word as that message
is sown in their hearts, Jesus warned his
disciples, “So take care how you listen.” Luke
8:18 God’s word is important. How we receive
that message is critical to what it will produce
in our lives. It is those who listen to God’s
message with an honest and good heart, and who
hold on to this message, who will with
perseverance produce a harvest. Luke 8:15
If the message being presented is true to
Scripture, let’s listen to Scripture, without
lightly dismissing it or irresponsibly criticizing
the messenger. Rather, as good soil, let’s deeply
embrace God’s word so that it will produce fruit
in our lives.