“Take care, then, how you hear.”

Jesus offered this comment after he explained the Parable of the Sower, a lesson about how the Word of God does or does not bear fruit in an individual’s life. Take care, then, how you hear.

So, it’s not enough to hear. We must hear carefully.

Here then, are 3 lessons from this parable to help us to take care to hear the Word well.

1. Pray against the enemy when reading for yourself or sharing the Word of God with another.

“…the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts…” Luke 8:12 (ESV)

There is a reason that Jesus taught us to pray, “Deliver us from the evil one.” As the Lord’s prayer suggests (“our daily bread”), every day we should pray this prayer against the enemy of our souls. Lucifer is the one who comes and takes away the seed that otherwise can bear fruit, 30, 60 or 100 fold.

2. Beware of affliction…and affluence.

“…choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life…” Luke 8:14 (ESV)

I believe, as many have said before me, that affluence is the real problem, though affliction will choke the word also. But for every 10 men who can survive trials and trouble, only one can survive a fat bank account. Either way, when either of these come your way, hold fast to the Word.

3. Cultivate patience.

“…they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” (emphasis mine) Luke 8:15 (ESV)

When it comes to the Word, patience is paramount. The person who reads God’s book for a week and says, “It hasn’t done anything for me,” will never taste the sweetest fruit that comes from years in the Scriptures. When it comes to sowing the Word in my own heart or the heart of my children or friends, time and persistence wins the day. Keep on keeping on. Stay in the word. There is a special blessing that comes to the man or woman who faithfully spends day after day, year after year…in the Book of books.

Here’s something from the archives along these lines for your encouragement: A Highly Motivating and Not-Often Considered Reason to Read and Meditate on Scripture Regularly

For Monday, July 13th: Luke 9