Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Parable of the Lamp: Part 8: Careful Listening

So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him." (Luke 8:18 NASB)

"Take care how you listen."  On first reading that, it sounds like "Pay Attention!" but there is more to it than that. The word translated as "take care" is blepō. This same word was used in an earlier verse to describe those who "see" the light. We learned in part four that "the word translated as "see" is blepō, and is used to mean both physical sight and mental understanding. Seeing the light of the lamp (the work of God in our lives) can help others to understand with their heart what it is they are to do with their own light. The same word is sometimes used to describe understanding obtained through experience."

In this verse blepō is used to describe our own evaluation of our listening. It seems that Jesus is saying, "Take a good look at how well you listen to My Words. Are you hearing with your heart? Is your hearing making a difference in your living?" If we add blepō to our listening, then we should consistently and regularly evaluate our listening to be certain we are understanding and applying what we hear. Listening to the words of Christ should make a difference in our lives. They should pierce our hearts with conviction and bring change to our behavior. Listening should bring living that is more Christlike and more effective as a witness. 

blepō your own listening. How did the Word of God change you today? This week? What have you learned from your listening and studying? How have you changed? Are you a more effective servant of God because of how you listened? 

Today, pray that we and our loved ones would blepō our listening and make whatever changes are needed to hear and understand with our hearts and allow  whatever adjustment is needed to make us more like Christ. 
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In obedience to the command of Christ to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, please continue praying for Ibrahim al Asiri, who is a brilliant and creative bomb maker for Al Qaeda, and works with the man who has sworn to destroy the cross and those who bear it. 
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Link to last night's post is here: http://leannahollis.blogspot.com/2014/07/radical-obedience-ibrahim-al-asiri.html

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