I am what some might label as "hearing impaired." I function at a much higher level when I wear my hearing aides, but much to my wife's dismay they're often found languishing on my desk far away from the organs they were designed to help. This behavior often results in my wife questioning whether I heard her or was I even listening to her? I must confess that I heard everything she said but as often the occassion I wasn't listening. So what's the difference?
The dictionary defines "hearing" as the process, function or power of perceiving sound. The human ear hears many sounds but we may not be listening. Again the dictionary defines "listening" as the ability to hear something with thoughtful attention or simply put, to pay attention to sound.
In Matthew 13: 9 Jesus says "He who has ears, let him hear." If you read the chapter in its entirity you'll find that Jesus was making reference to a parable he had just shared with His disciples and others who were following His ministry. Parables, especially when read for the first time, are not always easy to understand are they? I believe that was by design; Jesus knew there would be those challenged by what He said, those who would give thought to the message, digging deeper within their hearts and minds to try and find our what Jesus was telling them. On the other hand Jesus knew there were others to lazy or stubborn to seek the knowledge He was giving them about God and His kingdom.
Jesus encourages us thru the power of the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds for he promises us "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to us...Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance". Therefore don't just hear the message of the gospel but listen for it as well. Blessings
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