Listen Carefully

“Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have, will be taken from them.” -Luke 8:18-

There was a person in our church who had begun to follow Jesus. This person had lived most of their life outside of the church and, quite frankly, just didn’t have much interest in spiritual things. But then they met someone from our church, an authentic Christ follower, and was drawn to what they saw. This person began attending church regularly, soaking up everything they were learning. The spiritual growth was dramatic and quick. In fact, it seemed so rapid that it alarmed our church member, who confided in me, “I’m just afraid that the seed isn’t growing deep enough roots.”
This person was referring, of course, to a familiar parable that Jesus told about good and bad soil and how they receive the seed of the Word of God. And Jesus Himself gives this challenge: “Therefore consider carefully how you listen” (Luke 8″18). He knew it to be true: Some people hear the Word, but before they can do anything, the devil, like an opportunistic roadside crow, snatches it away from them. Others receive the Word, but it cannot take root because of their rock-hard hearts. Still others (and this was the concern in this case) hear & receive the Word, but before it can come to maturity in their hearts, the thorny cares of life choke it to death.
But some who hear the Word have hearts that are ready, like good soil with good growing conditions. They not only hear & receive the Word of God but nurture its growth and allow it to bear mature fruit in their lives. These are the ones who have and will be given more, while the other listeners will lose the farm. How you hear is what’s so critical.
By the way, when the seed fell on the “good soil” in Jesus’ story, it “yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown” (Luke 8:8). As it turns out, this person we’ve been talking about was “good soil.” So, as you might expect, their roots are already growing deep. And it wouldn’t surprise you to know that the seed is yielding an even greater crop, as other members of their family have gotten saved since then.
As you follow Jesus, consider carefully how you listen to His Word. Seize it; retain it. Persevere in it, then get ready for an abundant harvest.

Following Today
Read this entire parable (Luke 8:1-15). Describe the soil of your heart. Is it ready to receive — and to bring to maturity — the Word of the living God? Are you harboring any worries that might “choke out” God’s Word in your life?