Our receiving from God is based on how well we hear and obey His instructions. Is our ear tuned to His voice or the world’s directives?
John 10:4-5 The sheep follow Him: for they know His voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow. (NKJ)
What would cause a parent to ask their child, “Do you hear me?” A lack of action on the child’s part. Or what would cause the parent to say, “You didn’t hear a single word I said!” Because the child did not do what was instructed. The instructions were given, but the child tuned-out the voice of the parent.
James 1:22 But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (NKJ)
Your actions speak so loud I can’t hear a word you are saying. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
James 2:14, 17-18 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (NKJ)
New American Standard What good does it do, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith but does not prove it with actions? This kind of faith cannot save him, can it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it does not prove itself with actions, is dead. 18 But someone may say, “You have faith, and I have actions.” Show me your faith without any actions, and I will show you my faith by my actions.
I have heard people say God does not speak to them. That is not true. He does speak; they just do not have ears to hear. God speaks to everyone. Some people never hear anything He says, many only hear 1/3 of what He says. Others only hear a little over 1/2 of what He says. And there are those who hear 100% of what He says. His Word is His voice, so the more familiar you are with His Word the clearer you will identify His voice.
Mark 4:14-25 The sower sows the Word. (His Voice*)
15 And these are they by the wayside, where the Word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan comes immediately, and takes away the Word that was sown in their hearts. (*Emphasis mine) 16 And these are they likewise who are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the Word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution arises for the Word‘s sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they who are sown among thorns; such as hear the Word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 And these are they who are sown on good ground; such as hear the Word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred. 21 And Jesus said unto them, Is a lamp brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a lamp stand? 22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was anything kept secret, but that it should come into the open. 23 If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.
24 And Jesus said unto them, Take heed what you hear: with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25 For he that has (ears to hear*), to him shall be given: and he that has not, from him shall be taken even that which he has. (NKJ) (*Emphasis mine)
Notice verse 23 says “any man.” This means it is the responsibility of the hearer to receive revelation and wisdom from the Word; not God’s. God has already made His decision. He is not holding anything back from us.
Now notice in verse 24 He says, “what measure YOU measure.” God does not measure. He has already released a hundred-fold blessing. It depends totally upon you and the way you listen (obey) His word. There is no solution other than obedience. Your understanding and believing what you hear, determines if you have thirty, sixty, or hundred-fold increase.
Verse 25 explains why you cannot remember or retain what is preached or read in His Word. If you do not use it, you will lose it. Who will take it away—God? No, it is taken by the devil (v15), yourself (v17), or the world (v19). The choice is yours.
You may say, “If it is already done, why don’t I have it?” Because you are limiting your receiving based upon your 5 senses. We have been taught to trust our senses more than we trust Scripture.
Romans 2:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (NKJ)
That means we will have to unlearn some wrong believing we have been taught. Our own doubt has kept us from receiving. I choose to believe God’s Word! I hear and obey His Voice! I choose to hear, understand, and receive!
