A Guarded Ear

earLuke 8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

My grandparents had a cistern in their back yard to catch rain water.  To keep debris from getting into their water supply, Papa put a fine mesh screen over the cistern.  As rainwater fell from the sky, it went through the mesh so that the water would be fit for use.  In the same way, we are to screen (guard) what we hear so that it does not contaminate the whole body and is declared fit for use.   Guarding your ear gates is the lesson that Jesus taught His disciples by way of the parable of the lamp.  Jesus said, “Take heed …”, which is to say, be very, very careful about what you allow to enter into your channel of understanding.  How you hear is equally as important as what you hear.  The Amplified Bible reads, “No one after he has lighted a lamp covers it with a vessel or puts it under a [dining table] couch; but he puts it on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light.  17 For there is nothing hidden that shall not be disclosed, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come out into the open. 18Be careful therefore how you listen. For to him who has [spiritual knowledge] will more be given; and from him who does not have [spiritual knowledge], even what he thinks and guesses and supposes that he has will be taken away”.  The LORD requires a teachable spirit so that you will know him better and is open to receive wisdom, knowledge, and understanding from Him.  Wisdom without knowledge is no knowledge at all.  Knowledge without understanding is no knowledge at all. A screen must be put over the ear to block out debris to allow wisdom to flow through.  Wisdom comes from above.  It is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy and the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.  Therefore, take heed, Satan is looking for every opportunity to snuff out your lamp so that spiritual knowledge will be hidden from you.  Guard you ear gate.  Be quick to listen and learn so that the spiritual knowledge you have will increase.  Otherwise, you risk having that which you think you have taken from you.   

Scripture References:  Luke 8: 16-18; Ephesians 1:17; James 3:17-18

Prayer for today:  Father, by the power of Holy Spirit, I declare and decree that I have a teachable spirit.  Teach me to know you more intimately and to increase in spiritual knowledge.   In JESUS name, AMEN. 

Whatever you must do today, there is a grace for that.  Accept the grace and make it a sweatless day.

Love

Dianne