Jesus said, "Pay attention to what you hear" (Mark 4:24). Though spoken long ago it is still needful admonition for us today. We need to be careful what we listen to. Every day we are inundated with information from all manner of sources. Like some news networks, many claim to be the "Most Trusted" source of truth. Too often people tend to just believe what they hear. Like Eve, they are giving heed to blind guides (Gen. 3:1-4; Matt. 15:14). This can lead to bad decisions which can have eternal consequences (2 Cor. 5:10). We would do well to heed what the Father told Peter, James, and John on the mount of transfiguration. We need to hear Christ (Matt. 17:5)! He alone has the words of eternal life (John 6:68). Filter everything you hear through the word of God (Acts 17:11).

Jesus also said, "Take care then how you hear" (Luke 8:18). We need to be careful how we listen. This is vital when it comes to hearing and understanding God's word. Like Cornelius and his household, we should be ready to hear what God has commanded (Acts 10:33). James wrote, "let every person be quick to hear" (James 1:19). This requires humility, submissiveness, and reverence on our part. Everything God has commanded is important for us to hear, believe and obey. Many today are not willing to hear all God has said on many things. Some only want to hear the vain doctrines and commandments of men (Matt. 15:9). Instead of hearing God, they fight for the creeds and the names of men (1 Cor. 1:10-13). Others only want to hear part of the truth. Concerning salvation, they only hear faith only, grace only, prayer only and ignore or explain away what God has said on the matter (Mark 16:16). This unwillingness to hear God leads to many who are not willing to endure sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3). Oh, that all of us would be as Samuel as we approach His word when he said, "Speak, for your servant hears" (1 Sam. 3:10).

What prevents so many from hearing the Lord? Prejudice has closed the hearts and minds of many (Matt. 13:15). Partiality causes some to not hear anything that will put them in conflict with their parents or other loved ones (Matt. 10:37). The fear of persecution continues to discourage many from hearing, believing, and obeying (John 12:42-43). Let us not allow our ears to be stopped by such things. Let us hear the Lord!