Fall 1999
A Hearing Ear
Dr Ronald L. Taylor
President

Many of us have received a word from the Lord, perhaps recently or long ago. In Luke 2:25, we read of Simeon who received a word from the Lord that he would see the Lord's Christ. He may have received this word years before, nevertheless, Simeon was still listening and waiting.

Then, on a certain day, he was "moved” by the Spirit and was in the temple when Joseph and Mary brought the baby Jesus. Simeon recognized Jesus by revelation knowledge, and spoke the Word of the Lord over Him.

What if, when the Holy Spirit said, "Go to the temple." Simeon had said, "I will go later when it is more convenient,” or, "I am not feeling well, I will go tomorrow”? Prompt obedience to the word of the Lord is very important.

In Matthew 16:16, when Peter said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God," Jesus replied, "flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in Heaven.”

Peter had heard from above. Only now could Jesus say to him, "On this rock (the ability to hear revelation knowledge), I will build My Church." The Word of the Lord, by revelation knowledge, is still essential today. We must hear from the Lord and obey that which we hear.

Pinecrest was founded to prepare a people for the Lord's end-time purpose. For 30 years, Pinecrest's mission has been to teach people how to hear His voice and to enter into His presence.

In Ephesians 1:17-18, Paul prayed,

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation
in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding
being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of
His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His
inheritance in the saints.”

This speaks of a knowing that transcends all human efforts and abilities, and which must be given from above. Thus, an openness and sensitivity to the spiritual realm is essential.

“Now concerning spirituals, brethren, I do not
want you to be ignorant.” I Cor 12:1.

The word “gifts” in this verse is in italics. Since it is not in the original, this verse should be read as above.

In Isaiah 50:5 we read,

"The Lord God has opened My ear, and I was
not rebellious, nor did I turn away.”

First, the Lord opens our ears. The previous verse tells us how He does this.

“The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned,
that I should know how to speak a word in season to
him who is weary: He awakens Me morning by morning, He
awakens My ear to hear as the learned.” Isaiah 50:4.

Our being awakened “morning by morning” speaks of our spiritual ear being progressively opened, that we might hear the word of the Lord.

When I teach, I know those who are listening. Some sit, not paying attention. This is not "hearing." One who is attentive seeks to apply what he hears.

Second, is our response. “I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away.” These two things are essential to our having a hearing ear. The Lord must open our spiritual ear, but we must listen and obey what we hear.

Each fall, a few students arrive at Pinecrest who do not want interference in their lifestyle. However, it is our responsibility as a training center to interfere. There are rules and schedules. The bell rings at 6 a.m. and everyone must get up. Chapel starts at 8 and each student must be there on time. Assignments are given, and they must be completed on time.

I find that those who “harden” themselves against the rules seldom hear, as they build a wall which deflects the Word. We must become submissive before the Lord, learning as "one being taught."

In Matthew 13:19, the parable of the sower, Jesus teaches us about hearing.

"When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and does
not understand it, then the wicked one comes and
snatches away what was sown in his heart."

This happens when there is no sense of need. Often, the Lord must convince us that we do have a need.

Verses 20-21 concern those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but since they have no roots, there is no outworking. The Amplified Bible says, "... he is inconsistent."

Inconsistency keeps us from having a hearing ear. We hear, we rejoice, but we make no lasting decision for commitment. Commitment is a key to our not drawing back, as it is a decision, not an emotion. "Tingles" are great, but our faith is not dependent upon them. With or without emotion, we must stick with our decision to follow the Lord's word.

In Verse 22, Jesus gives us the third way in which we draw back,

"Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears
the Word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness
of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful."

The Lord tells us,

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,
... thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you
a future and a hope." Jer 29:11.

When we are deceived by worries or by riches, we are demonstrating a lack of faith and trust in what the Lord has said. We need to stand firm on this.

Jesus warned many times about deception in the last days. This is an area where many are especially vulnerable. What is really important? Will the Lord perform His word and be with us? We must stand firm on His word.

In Verse 23, Jesus tells us that the seed sown on good soil represents the man who hears. He produces a crop yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown. He has put the word into practice in his life.

A word from the Lord produces revelation knowledge. We hear and do not draw back. As the Lord wakens our ear morning by morning, we become doers of the word. Our lives are changed, and His Church is built.

May each one of us be spiritually awakened, morning by morning, that we might hear the Word of the Lord in a way that will change our lives, renew our minds, and give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so we might better know and serve our Lord.