John 14:26 ESV
Mark4:24-25 NKJV
Romans10:17 NKJV
Interpretation of what we hear from God, either from scripture or from another source (like preaching) can be tricky. In college I took Interpersonal Communication and we learned the speaker can speak, and the listener can hear a different message. Then when the listener tells someone else what they heard, it gets translated again. I remember in class years ago thinking, “so, are we to believe it’s possible to communicate?l”
Years later I do think it’s difficult, but with good back and forth dialogue it can be done. I think that’s why sometimes I tend to clarify (well, and I have been accused of overthinking) what I say in conversation.
From a Biblical standpoint we do have a definite advantage. We have a promise that the Spirit will help us. In John 14:26 it says, “the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to you remembrance all that I have said to you.”
That’s quite a promise. Jesus made a sweeping statement that “the Spirit” will teach you “all things”. However, how can the Spirit teach if we will not make a point to listen? Without reservation the promise was given, but when you think about it we also must open our ears to hear the Spirit.
I think that’s what Jesus was saying in Mark 4:24, when “he said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.”
Scripture builds on scripture and does not contradict (which is a very remarkable thing.) As I understand Mark 4:24 and John 14:26 in this case, as we listen to the Spirit with great intent understanding will be given with great intent.
It’s like this...if we make a piece of pottery and we try really hard to make it beautiful even to the point of taken a lot of time to give it smooth lines and give it good structure, even if we aren’t particularly gifted, our effort will reap a good reward.
So, even if we are not accustomed to listening to the Spirit as we read scripture, we can become aware of the presence of the Spirit. We may not know exactly how the Spirit will lead, but we can be aware of how we feel when the Spirit comes upon us. The point to the promise from John 14:26 is that the responsibility to teach is not on us.
The Spirit of God knows our intent.
If we are trying to listen and understand, the Spirit will meet us where we are at.
Let’s think about the piece of pottery again. I’ve tried to make pottery and it’s not easy. Even of you have a picture in your head what you want it to look like, you have to get your fingers to work the clay to accomplish what you envision in your mind. The creator artist almost has to become one with the clay. You have to feel it, you have to slow down the process and let your fingers glide over the surface of the clay.
As we think about a specific scripture, we surrender to the Spirit. We become aware of the presence of the Spirit. We open our mind to hear.
Sometimes I’ll be writing away about a certain scripture and I get a flash about another scripture. I know the Spirit is saying, “oh and remember when Jesus said such and such?” The catch is that as we read scripture, we keep a door open in our mind off to the side so we can hear the Spirit say, “remember this...”
The second part of Mark 4 contains a promise. In Mark 4:25, we read, “For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” When we listen to the Spirit, we receive a blessing. Then that blessing from the Spirit builds to more blessing. But if we aren’t listening to the Spirit, there isn’t anything to build on.
It may seem like this listening is difficult, but here’s the really cool part...even though it seems impossible, according to Matthew 19:26, “everything is possible with God.”
He is God. You are not.
God also help us with the faith part when we read scripture. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Reading the word of God builds our faith.
Once again, I’m not in charge. The Spirit of the living God is in charge.
I read and hear the Word of God, and God builds my faith.
I need to say just a word about the photo used for today’s post. I consider the photo a miracle and a gift from God. It was taken on June 6th in Iowa. Late in the day I walked out of the house and looked up, I gasped then I ran back inside to grab my iPhone.
Thanks God for the wonderful gift!
Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Read and Listen
Choose one scripture verse, any verse, pray and ask God to tell you one thing about that verse. Thank God for helping you!
In God, Deborah
acrazyjourney.com
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