Although not restricted to children, we all have had someone else only hear what they want to hear of what we told them. But that is true for all of us. We’ve all heard only what our mind wanted to hear while being ‘deaf’ to what our brain doesn’t want to hear. We can even do that when reading an article or book like the Bible. When we take the time to read it carefully again, often we are then able to absorb what it really said. When Jesus explained why He spoke in parables, He said, “13 That is why I use these parables, for they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. … 15 For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’ (Matthew 13:13,15 NLT)
They couldn’t hear because the ideas in their mind had predetermined or otherwise polluted their will to hear what they needed to hear. It is noteworthy that Jesus’ comments came after he had told a parable about the farmer planting seeds in 4 different soils. Each type responded differently to the same seed sowed. Then, after He explained why they couldn’t hear, he explained the parable to His disciples, which implied they weren’t hearing well either. The difference was, they sensed there was more to learn, so they asked in contrast to the crowd who just went on their way.
The point is, we too virtually have selective hearing when we read or hear the Bible read, or any spiritually laced book. That is why we must read the Bible and intentionally be listening to the Spirit who will reveal all truth to us, especially that related to what God’s word is saying. The same is true when we hear a sermon. While, as born-again believers, we have the Spirit living within us. However, unfortunately, we are not always listening to His interpretation of what we hear in a sermon. We understand with our heads, then perhaps use what self-discipline we have to practice what we hear. However, we miss the empowering work the Spirit to practice it and own, or incorporate, it into our daily lives. Subsequently, we are vulnerable to what another skilled speaker might say to us.
Jesus is explaining that the minds of the unbelievers in that situation had already decided what was true for them. This prevented them from choosing to hear the truth, believe it, and be healed. God’s spirit doesn’t keep us from hearing or seeing, it is the ideas that are in the person’s mind.
The challenge is, what may you have predetermined in your mind about God, what the Bible says, or prejudged what an author or teacher/preacher may say, so that you cannot hear a truth God may have spoken to you? The only way you can help yourself is by seeking to remain humble and not prejudge anyone. Then evaluate in your spirit what was meant for you to apply to your life. The Spirit empowered Balaam’s donkey to speak the truth, and He certainly wasn’t a spiritual being. Remember, God can even use unbelievers to speak the truth, so don’t allow prejudice to close your ears or eyes.
We always need Jesus to open our heart to receive the truth!