Luke chapter 8 verses 9-10 (NIV)
His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’’’
Luke chapter 8 verse 18(NIV)
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.”
2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 3 (NIV)
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
The disciples were unclear about the meaning of the parable of the sower, so they asked Him to explain it to them. He did, but He also told them that they were in a very privileged position, because many others wouldn’t get the same opportunity, or be willing to learn. But He also cautioned the disciples to be careful how they listened.
I was struck when reading these verses about the privileged position we also are in today. We, at least in the west, have free access to the Bible, in many forms, so that we can read or listen to God’s word at any time, day or night. We also have the opportunity to have sound teaching when we gather in our church fellowships and have pastors who expound sound teaching under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In such circumstances we need to pay attention and act on what we read and hear.
But in the age of the internet and different social platforms we need to be careful what we listen to, even if it appears at first glance to be sound teaching from a reliable source. I recently found some old CD’s of teaching from many years ago. I had a wonderful afternoon listening to them. I realised that no matter how old the recordings were, and one was over 40 years old, the anointing and presence of God were still evident, meaning that I was blessed, encouraged, challenged and even convicted as I listened. That’s why the Bible speaks to us daily, it’s the inspired and anointed word of God. I have also enjoyed listening to podcasts by favourite christian authors and teachers recently on YouTube.
However the algorithm on YouTube recognises what you have watched and thereafter makes suggestions about things of a similar theme that you might like to watch. Here’s where we need to act with caution. I quickly discovered that some alleged christian sites, supposedly offering teaching from well known speakers, may have spliced together bits of recording in order to make the teaching fir their ideology. I clicked on a couple and very quickly felt uneasy. Such recordings are dangerous because they give some people the opportunity to hear what their itching ears want to hear. So we need to be wise and heed the promptings and nudging from the Holy Spirit, and also be careful what we recommend others to watch or listen to. It may not be what it appears, and we don’t want to lead anyone astray, even if its unintentional. If we are sincere in wanting to learn more we can ask God. He will not allow us to go down a wrong road.
Dear Lord,
Im grateful for sound and wise teaching from anointed teachers and for the ease of access I have to Your written word. Help me to act on what I learn, but also to be careful how I listen, and what I listen to. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.