What You Hear
Jesus tells His disciples to “take heed what you hear!”
I am not into blind obedience, and Jesus isn’t either!
He always gives us step-by-step instructions (2 Timothy 3:16-17). And He tells us why! Finally, He tells us what will happen either way we choose.
Let’s get the rest of the verse!
And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. – Mar 4:24 KJV
Take Heed What You Hear!
Because more shall be given!
To whom? “You that hear!”
Those who follow Jesus and are intimate with Him desire to know Him more. They hear His voice through His written word.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. – Jhn 15:7 KJV
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. – 1Pe 1:23 KJV
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. – 1Jo 2:14 KJV
Then they know His voice when He speaks Spirit to spirit with them (John 10:27, Revelation 3:20).
Who Takes Away What You Hear?
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. – Mat 13:12 KJV Also Mark 4:25
We find out who takes away in the following post:
Know Who Takes Away
In the first ground in the parable of the sower, Jesus explains that the devil comes to steal the word from those who don’t understand (Matthew 13:19).
Luke 8:11-12 gives even more detail. Here, Jesus says that it is the devil who steals what was sown.
Why?
Because the devil doesn’t want the hearer to believe and to be saved.
2 Peter 3:9 says that it is God’s will that every human being receive salvation!!!
God is NOT using the devil to teach! He has written a book and appointed and anointed people to do that (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
Jeremiah 2:19 tells us to stop blaming God and take responsibility! Don’t give the devil a foothold in your life by being wicked (Ephesians 4:27). Be angry at the devil and fight him (Ephesians 4:26-27, 6:11-13)
Satan knows his time is limited (Revelation 12:12). So, Mark 4:14-15 tells us that he comes immediately to steal the word!
Faith Comes by What You Hear
The same thief that Jesus says in John 10:10 comes to steal, kill, and destroy also comes to steal the word! Why? Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17).
The shield of faith quenches all of the enemy’s fiery darts. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:16 that above all, we should take the shield of faith! Who do you think doesn’t want you to be able to do that for yourself or for others?
Don’t Be Deceived by What You Hear
Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; – Deu 11:16 KJV
The cares of this world can become “other gods” and are also covered in the parable of the sower (Mark 4:19). Jesus tells us that the cares of this world are not bad things. But He knows that we need them (Matthew 6:29-32). God doesn’t want us laboring for those things. He wants to provide everything for us. When we seek His kingdom first, we know that we believe Him (Matthew 6:33).
Look at the Birds (Matthew 6:26 NKJV)
God tells us to look at the birds (Matthew 10:29-31, Luke 12:6-7). Look at the birds and the grass (Matthew 6:25-28).
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. – Luk 21:8 KJV
Don’t risk being deceived by what you hear. Just put time with Jesus in His written word first. Problem solved!
Hell is Expanding
Isaiah 5:14 says that hell is expanding! God did not create hell for people, but hell is more than willing to accommodate those who reject such a great salvation (Revelation 20:15, John 3:16-18, Hebrews 2:3).
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. – Rev 20:10 KJV
Receive Freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17)
We are told in Isaiah 5:13 that God’s people go into captivity because they have no knowledge! Isaiah 11 gives us a glimpse of what it looks like for the earth to be full of the knowledge of the LORD!
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. – Isa 11:9 KJV
Don’t be deceived! It is your choice to hear the word of God whereby faith comes! And it is your choice to allow the cares of this world to distract you from knowing Him. Jesus defines life eternal in John 17:3 as knowing Him!
Get In and Change What You Hear!
In Mark 4:11-12, Jesus explains those who are without! If you are out, all you have to do is repent and get in! Hallelujah!
Life Eternal
Choose life. Jesus is life (John 14:6).
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: – Deu 30:19 KJV
The Word of God Should Be What You Hear
Don’t reject the word of God and count yourself unworthy to receive everlasting life (Acts 13:46).
Everlasting life begins at conversion for those who choose to believe and receive (John 10:9).
This is not easy (Mark 10:29-30, John 16:33, ).
Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. – Acts 14:22 KJV
But it is simple (Mark 4:26-29).
1 John 5:18-21 explains what this life is like for those who seek first God’s kingdom.