|
|
Listening for the Wrong Reason
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.”
Luke 20:19–20
James Taylor was a big fan of the preacher John Wesley. He was a frequent attender when Wesley preached, especially at outdoor venues. Taylor did not go because he was a believer eager to be inspired and uplifted by the message. Instead, he went because he was a scoffer, and he enjoyed hurling insults—and sometimes rotten vegetables—at the preacher and the crowd. Just before his wedding in 1738, James Taylor went to hear Wesley again, intending to mock as was his habit. But that day Wesley was preaching from Joshua 24 on the topic “As for Me and My House, We Will Serve the Lord.” The Holy Spirit used that text and the impending wedding to bring conviction to James Taylor (grandfather of the famed missionary to China Hudson Taylor) and he was saved.
Many times we hear the Word of God, but are listening for the wrong reasons. We are tempted to apply the truths we hear to others rather than taking the message to our own heart and life. We are tempted to doubt whether the Bible really applies to every situation in our lives. We are even tempted to doubt whether what God says is true. Instead we should be like the Bereans and be careful listeners and students of the Word. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).
Luke 20:19–20
James Taylor was a big fan of the preacher John Wesley. He was a frequent attender when Wesley preached, especially at outdoor venues. Taylor did not go because he was a believer eager to be inspired and uplifted by the message. Instead, he went because he was a scoffer, and he enjoyed hurling insults—and sometimes rotten vegetables—at the preacher and the crowd. Just before his wedding in 1738, James Taylor went to hear Wesley again, intending to mock as was his habit. But that day Wesley was preaching from Joshua 24 on the topic “As for Me and My House, We Will Serve the Lord.” The Holy Spirit used that text and the impending wedding to bring conviction to James Taylor (grandfather of the famed missionary to China Hudson Taylor) and he was saved.
Many times we hear the Word of God, but are listening for the wrong reasons. We are tempted to apply the truths we hear to others rather than taking the message to our own heart and life. We are tempted to doubt whether the Bible really applies to every situation in our lives. We are even tempted to doubt whether what God says is true. Instead we should be like the Bereans and be careful listeners and students of the Word. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).
Today’s Growth Principle:
We need to hear the Word of God with open hearts and minds and accept it for the eternal truth that it is.
No comments:
Post a Comment