20160121 Ears to Hear

Ears to Hear

Matthew 13:10-17  His disciples came and asked Him, "Why do You use parables when You talk to the people?"  (11)  He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.  (12)  To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.  (13)  That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don't really see. They hear, but they don't really listen or understand.  (14)  This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, 'When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.  (15)  For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to Me and let Me heal them.'  (16)  "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.  (17)  I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn't see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn't hear it.

In my last writing I pointed out the importance of listening, really hearing what is being said. This is especially important when the speaker is our Lord. But listening will produce action that proves what is said has indeed been heard. Listening and not acting is actually sin. James 4:17

Furthermore, it is foolish… Matthew 7:26-27

There is another problem that arises out of not following the teachings of our Master and Savior. Our ears become dull, our hearts become calloused, we get set on our own stubborn paths that lead to destruction. Stubbornness breeds more stubbornness. We get to the point that the words of Jesus become like the drone of a fan. We get used to it and don’t really hear anymore. Our eyes become blind to the truth and we begin to make up our own ideas about what is true and what is false. Jesus becomes just a good teacher with some good ideas instead of our Master who has and is The Truth, The Way and The Life. When all of that happens we can no longer discern truth. When we recognize our need to hear from God we cannot because we are spiritually deaf and blind.

So what can we do? If you have found yourself in this condition, even a little bit, repent now. If there is something the Lord has told you to do, but you have not done it, do it now. Start down the right path now before it is too late. Because there comes a point when, “they cannot turn to Me and let Me heal them.” Only our Father in heaven knows who has reached that point. Seek Him with all your heart now.

Father in heaven, this is frightening because I know my own heart. I know how easily I can choose my way instead of Yours. Please protect our hearts. Help us to truly follow You in all ways, always. Holy Spirit forgive us when we have grieved You by not listening to Your leading. Lord Jesus, we plead Your blood. That is our only plea. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

ADULTERY

ADULTERY

Matthew 5:27-30 "You have heard the commandment that says, 'You must not commit adultery.'  (28)  But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  (29)  So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.  (30)  And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

I had a married friend who would look a pretty girl up and down lustfully and say, “Just because I’m on a diet doesn’t mean I can’t look at the menu.” The problem with that thought process is just like our devotional from yesterday. It spirals downward. A thought turns to a longing (covetousness). A longing turns to dissatisfaction with what we already have (ungratefulness). Dissatisfaction turns to bitterness and eventually it all turns to external, sinful action (adultery).

“You shall not covet,” is the tenth commandment. Taking a nonchalant attitude toward it is unloving and selfish. Remember, love is the fulfillment of the law. So it is unloving to covet, lust after what belongs to your neighbor. It is also unloving toward your wife. Malachi 2:14-15  You cry out, "Why doesn't the LORD accept my worship?" I'll tell you why! Because the LORD witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows.  (15)  Didn't the LORD make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are His. And what does He want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth.

Note: Did you notice God’s desire for marriage? “Godly children from your union.”

I have sat with many a woman who has been cheated on by a husband caught up in pornography. They all ask the same question, “Why am I not enough?” They are devastated by the cruelty and rejection they feel involved with this act of their husbands “looking at the menu.”

Someone might say, “Well I’m not married, so this doesn’t pertain to me.” 1 Timothy 5:2 Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.

Loving your neighbor as yourself pertains to all of us. When we treat another person like a prize to be won we are being selfish, and rude. Love is not rude and does not demand its own way (1Cor 13).

Don’t get me wrong here. I understand, first-hand the struggle this can be. When I was 12 I stumbled upon a pornographic magazine. To my shame I looked and then I looked for more of the same. It became an insatiable appetite in me that is still a struggle to this day. I have to stop the temptation the moment it appears.

I have given my dear wife permission to hold me accountable. At any time she can ask me what I’ve been looking at, watching and doing. On my computers I have an application created by www.covenanteyes.com which sends a report of my internet activities to Evelyn each week. This clears up any questions about my internet activity.

By granting Evelyn this permission I’m proverbially plucking out the eye that causes me to lust and cutting off the hand that causes me to sin. If we all literally plucked out our eyes and cut off our hands for this reason, very few, if any of us, would be whole. I know a young single man who recognizes the problem that this sin is for him and so he refuses to have a computer or even a smart phone because he knows how easy it is to access things he shouldn’t be looking at.

One more thing. In the day we live in this is not just a problem for men. Women viewing pornography has been on the rise since the internet became available. So I say to all Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Father in heaven, the commandments You gave us are for our benefit. Forgive us when we fail to see that. Help us to say with Job Job 31:1 "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.” Fill our hearts with Your love and help us men to show that pure love to all women, the older as mothers and the younger as sisters. Also, help us to be diligent to guard our own hearts and the hearts of children that we may truly be godly. In Jesus Holy Name, AMEN!!!