Seeing with Our Ears

S

(Luke 8:18) Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.

O

With those words, Jesus summarized His instruction that people should cause their lives to be like lamps that broadcast His light. Only His unique light, enables people to discover the causes of their stumblings. By listening well to His Words, we discover (we see) those hidden traps that torment us, and if we really see, really hear, really understand, then we will be able to live in right relationship with all other people. This is a great invitation.

A (Personal)

How do I listen carefully? I admit that I'm blind and need His light (Revelation 3:15-22). Then my praying is not unlike a bat swooping and swerving, being guided by its constant sending and receiving of sonar signals. Through prayer, I learn to see things that are otherwise invisible: the Holy Spirit helps me interact safely with people. By listening well, my sight can become a lamp that aids people who have been stumbling in darkness (Job 29:15; Isaiah 29:11-24; 30:20,21).

A (Psychological)

Our brains are constantly working. In its least intentional operations (keeping our vascular and pneumatic systems operating), it's fairly reliable. As our intentionality increases, our aptitude for irrational thinking (as Ellis described it) also increases. Especially while awake, our limbic system constantly assesses our environment for safety and survival conditions ... but not perfectly. Just as trauma (PTSD, for example) can cause our sensory assessments to distort reality; similarly, sin and relational wounds can cause our moral and spiritual assessments to misalign with reality. That's why, in Luke 11:33-36, Jesus repeats the lamp metaphor. This time, He instructs us to let His light bring internal correction. Without that, our eyes and ears are merely conduits for our darkened perceptions instead of His perfectly safe light (Ephesians 4,5).

P

Lord, thank You for Your providing Your Word for us to read so easily and hear so clearly. By reading and studying it, I'm learning to better recognize the sound of Your voice, which helps me cleanse my way of living (Psalm 119:9-11). Thank You for constantly being here to encourage, strengthen, and guide me.