"Take heed what you hear." (Mark 4:24)
These are the words of the Saviour, and they are as important now as when first uttered.
What We Are to Hear
But what shall we hear? This is answered by the directions as to what we are not to hear: "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causes to err from the words of knowledge." (Proverbs 19:27)
Thus we are to hear the words of knowledge. And what words are they? Again we read: "For the Lord gives wisdom; out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6)
The words of the Lord, therefore, are the words of knowledge. "In [Christ] are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:3)
He speaks the words of knowledge, because He speaks only the words of God. "He whom God has sent speaks the words of God." (John 3:34)
Therefore the word of God concerning Christ is, "Hear Him." (Luke 9:3)
His words are God's words; and we are to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. All other words are worse than useless.
How We Are to Hear
But there is still another exhortation as important as the other. It is this: "Take heed therefore how you hear." (Luke 8:18)
A man may hear the right thing, and yet not be profited, because he does not hear in the right way. How then shall we hear? In the first place, we should hear with gladness. The angels in heaven hearken to the voice of God's word: "Bless the Lord, you His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word." (Psalm 103:20)
They listen attentively, lest any word should escape them. In the second place, they listen for the purpose of obeying: "[They] do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word." (Psalm 103:20)
Whoever listens in this way will have no difficulty in understanding what he hears; for: "If any man wills to do His will, he shall know the doctrine." (John 7:17)
Lastly, it is important that we hear so attentively that we do not forget. There are some from whom the word is snatched away as soon as it is heard. Then it does them no good. "But whoso keeps His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected." (1 John 2:5)
That word "keep" means "to hold." We are to hold the word. Where? In our hearts. Let it remain there so that its life will permeate every portion of the being, and it will make you "perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:17)--Present Truth, May 30, 1895--Original title: Front Page--Timeline: IV-24 (Sermon by the Sea)--Mark 4:24.