DEVOTION – DAY 317

Luke 8:18 “Listen Carefully To God’s Word”

Luke 8:18 “Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”

Jesus explained the parable of the sower to His disciples in Luke 8:1-13. Jesus told them that the seed sown in the parable was a symbol for the Word of God. Some seeds fell on hard soil and never took root meaning that the Word of God sometimes fell on deaf ears. But seeds that fell on good soil were times when the Word of God fell on those with  good and willing hearts and when the Word was heard, it was retained and would produce a crop (Luke 8:13). Jesus ended the parable by summing up in v18 that everyone ought to consider carefully how they should listen because the Word of God that represented Truth if not understood and taken to our hearts would be lost. However, Truth that is understood and taken to our hearts and used will bear multiple fruits. 

In our experiences in sharing the gospel message with people, we encounter many different types of responses from different people, just like the parable of the sower in Luke 8. Some people are just not interested. Some people may appear interested at first, but their hearts are not in the message. They quickly lose interest. They get distracted easily perhaps with something on their handphones or with something that caught their eyes. Some people are interested initially and ask questions. But their early enthusiasm wears off once they get back to work and they allow the pressures of life, the busyness of their schedules to prevent them from knowing more and being committed to the gospel message. For all these people, the little that they know will soon be forgotten – that was what Jesus meant by “what they think they have will be taken from them.” 

There were two women who came to our church once. They were from another country and they had never been to a church service. We welcomed them and over coffee, we shared the gospel message with them. They asked questions and they chose to receive Jesus into their lives as Lord and Savior.  We never saw them again. We had no idea if they left the country or they changed their minds about their conversion. They were in danger of not listening carefully and that what little they knew about Jesus would soon be forgotten. But we also know others who heard the gospel message who responded by wanting Jesus in their lives as their Lord and Savior and these people go on to be fruitful Christians who led others to know about Jesus. They are the people who bear much fruit.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that speaks t our hearts. May your Word always fall on hearts open to truth. May your Word continue to transform us. We ask this in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

1. How have you responded to the gospel message? Have you invited Jesus Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior? Share.
2. Why is it important for people to listen carefully to the Word of God and apply it and take it to heart? Discuss.
3. What will happen to the Word of God if we do not apply it nor take it to heart?