The Lord Jesus repeatedly warned people about the wrong kind of hearing, and His warnings are still needed. “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 13:9). In other words, “Take heed that you hear.” Use every opportunity you have to hear the Word
of God.

But He gave another warning in Mark 4:24. “Take heed what ye hear” (italics added). How often believers hear the Word of God in Sunday School and church—then get into their cars, turn on their radios, and listen to programs that help erase the impressions made by the Word. When we visited congregations in Great Britain, my wife and I were impressed with their practice of sitting down after the benediction to meditate on the Word and allow the Spirit to minister to them. This is far better than rushing out of church and joking with friends.

Our Lord’s third warning is in Luke 8:18: “Take heed therefore how ye year” (italics added). Many people are careless hearers and cannot apply themselves to listen to the teaching of God’s Word.

How do we appropriate the Word? By understanding it and receiving it into our hearts, and by meditating on it so that it becomes part of our inner selves. Meditation is to the spiritual life what digestion is to the physical life. If you did not digest your food, you would die. It takes time to meditate, but it is the only way to appropriate the word and grow.

Jesus said: “Blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it” (Luke 11:28).

For further study: Matthew 7:24-25; John 2:22; 6:63; 15:3; Ephesians 5:26.

Action assignment: Select one of the verses above and commit it to memory. Thank God for His Word.