Having Eyes to See and Ears to Hear

Jesus taught His disciples about receiving the Word of God. He often taught in parables in public and then explained them in private to those closest to Him.

Parable

And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. Mark 4:2-8 (KJV)

Explanation

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. Mark 4:15-20 (KJV)

The bottom line of this parable is that we must have a right heart to receive God’s word and bear fruit.

That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. Mark 4:12 (KJV)

We must have eyes to see, a desire to perceive and learn. When you hear, you must understand what you hear in order to be converted, saved, and forgiven. Hindrances must be removed to keep having eyes to see. perceive, or learn. As we see and keep seeing, and as we hear and keep hearing, we can learn and receive more revelation of God’s Word. We must continually stay attuned spiritually to learn more and more of God.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. Mark 4:23-25 (KJV)

Take heed how you hear. It is important to hear correctly, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. What you put into the Word of God is in direct proportion to what you will get out of it. Those who only want to hear light, easy things will not get much out of it. Those who wish to go beyond the surface of the Word, will find deep spiritual knowledge. When you put much into your study of the Word, you will get much out of it. Plus, God will give you more.

We must approach God’s Word with a right heart that is prepared to receive from God. We must be intentional with our study. We must expect to learn and hear from God to be changed by His Word. As we hear and put our whole heart into receiving, learning, and doing God’s Word, we will bear fruit, and we’ll keep receiving from Him.