APR 25
April 25.
"Consider carefully how you listen ." Luke 8:18
We hear a great deal about the "fearful responsibility" of those who preach and teach the Word of God. No doubt it is a solemn thing to speak for God to men. Those who are called to this duty, should be very faithful. But there is also a "fearful responsibility" attached to hearing the Word. One of our Lord's most earnest words was: "Consider carefully how you listen ."
When the preacher's work is done in the right way, his responsibility ceases, and that of the hearer begins. He has heard the truth; what will he do with it? Will he believe it and accept it? Or will he reject it? He cannot be again—as if he had never heard it. It must be either a savor of life, or a savor of death, to him. Not only must he account for the opportunity of hearing—but he is also affected in his own spirit by the hearing. If he listens and yields to the influences of the truth, his heart grows softer; but if he rejects it, he is hardened by it.
No sermon or other message of truth, heard or read—leaves a man as it finds him. It makes some impression , that is determined by what the hearer does with it. We need to think a little of this side of the responsibility. We are hearing much that is good these passing days; it would be sad if nothing came of it all.