“Freedom of expression and freedom of speech aren’t really important unless they’re heard. The freedom of hearing is as important as the freedom of speaking..” -Tom Smothers
There’s a lot of noise out here these days. Everyone is talking on every possible platform, and someone is listening to every word being spoken. Certain folks seem to want to gain control over what is being said (e.g. Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter). We’re all talking… but is anyone being heard? Folks are listening—they’re present. They notice the sounds. They might even respond…but do they hear? Maybe you experience this phenomenon with your spouse, kids, or co-workers. The difference between listening and hearing is perception; not only taking notice, but coming to an understanding. When we hear, we are able to seize and interpret what is being said and meant in its entirety. We all desire to be both seen and heard. Yes, even children have this desire. I’m reminded of the cartoon character Charlie Brown’s school teacher. This poor woman was always talking…but to her students, it sounded like an echo of wah, wah, wah, wah. Ever felt like that’s what’s happening to you?
In Jeremiah 7:24-27, the LORD prepared His prophet for a lifetime of weeping over never being heard. Israel wouldn’t listen to God…why would they listen to Jeremiah? “24“But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward. 25From the day your ancestors left Egypt until now, I have continued to send my servants, the prophets—day in and day out. 26But my people have not listened to me or even tried to hear. They have been stubborn and sinful—even worse than their ancestors. 27“Tell them all this, but do not expect them to listen. Shout out your warnings, but do not expect them to respond. Imagine an entire life of ministry where you are never heard! That’s what happened to Noah. He preached for over 100 years without a single convert before the great flood destroyed the earth.
“Judas heard all Christ’s sermons.” Thomas Goodwin said that in the 1600’s Envision Judas walking with Jesus every day for three years—seeing all He did, hearing all He said, experiencing His love and compassion, and still having a deaf ear to His message and identity to the point of betrayal. If it happened to Jesus; who are you and I? That’s why when John wrote his warnings to the Churches in Revelation, he said, over and over, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches…” (Rev. 2:11, 17, 29; 3:6.13, 22) Because Scriptural hearing is done with more than the natural ear…it’s done with the heart.
