Hearing
Proverbs 28:9, 30:5-6
Thirty Six times we are told or commanded to hear, listen, receive, or something that means to listen to these words of instruction and wisdom within the Book of Proverbs, thirty-six times. I’m sure that number may be a bit higher or lower depending on your particular translation, but stop and think about it for a moment, thirty-six times. Obviously, God is trying to get our attention. There is something here that He is trying to direct our attention towards. There is something he wants us to not only pay close attention to but wants us to truly know and follow. Thirty-six times we are told to stop and listen to what the Father has to say to his child. There are only thirty-one chapters in the Book of Proverbs. Several of those chapters are those very words we are to listen to. Several of the words of wisdom are repeated and I don’t think it is because Solomon forgot he said it already. We need to hear these words again and again.
Hearing plays and enormous part within scripture period, not just in these chapters we’ve been reading in Proverbs. The Word of God is meant to be spoken and read and heard by others. It is the power and glory of God in how He reveals Himself to his people. Moses spoke the law to the people of Israel. They were to listen and hear that law. Prophets like Isaiah and Ezekiel and Jeremiah spoke the Word of God to kings and queens, priests and worshippers, men and women. They were to listen and hear. Jesus spoke to crowds of thousands, Pharisees, Sadducees, disciples and those who would betray him. They were to listen and hear.
So why does scripture often make mention of both listening and hearing? If you’ve been reading along with us through Proverbs, this should be a fairly easy question to answer. Hearing is taking what we listen to and applying it. We do what it says. We write it on the tablet of our heart so we might not sin against God. This morning we will not dive into James and spend a lot of time defining and discussing the difference between listening and doing. We want to focus on the fact that we are to hear. We are to not only listen but do. We already know this. Not only are we to listen and do but we are also called to understand. Hearing is listening, understanding, and doing. This is really the mark of wisdom isn’t it? One of my favorite phrases in the Bible is this; “He, who has an ear, let him hear.” Friend, every one of us not only has an ear, we have two. Let us listen, hear, understand and do what the word of God says.
What does hearing the Word of God do for us?
1. Faith comes from hearing the Word of God.
a. Romans 10:17
2. Hearing increases knowledge
a. 1 Corinthians 1:5-7
b. Philippians 1:9
c. Colossians 1:9
Knowledge is meant to point out sin and correct it. We still mortify sin with the aid of the Holy Spirit, but we need to know what is and what isn’t sin.
3. Faith and knowledge should lead to holiness
a. 1 Peter 1:15-16 we are told to be holy in all our conduct
Holiness is acceptable and pleasing to God.
Romans 12:1
What are the dangers of not hearing or turning from the Word?
1. Even our prayers are an abomination to the Lord.
a. Proverbs 28:9
We as people have a tendency to believe that no matter what we are accepted, especially by God. But there is a strong warning in this verse. The man or woman who turns form hearing the Word of God, even their prayer is an abomination to the Lord. What does that make them? What does that make their life? Their acts of service and worship?
Isaiah 1:10-20
And that is the problem for many of us isn’t it? We are willing but we are not obedient to Christ. We are not obedient to the Word of God. As a result we are not pleasing and acceptable to Him.
Why should we hear the Word of God?
1. Every word proves true.
a. Proverbs 30:5-6
Not just some of it….ALL OF IT!!!
How then do we hear better?
1. Study it
a. Let it be an adornment around your neck
b. Write it on you heart
2. Pray for it
a. Understanding and knowledge
3. Do it.
a. There is not 5 step plan for this. Simply do it.
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