Luke 16:31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'”

This goes directly to something Jesus said many times, about hearing ears. It also brings up the saying, “My mind is made up. Don’t confuse me with the facts.” The issue was brought up widely during the COVID business, when it became imperative who you listened to, and why. At this very moment, we have quantities of young Americans who are agitating in defense of a terrorist organization, because their minds have been poisoned by years of brain washing. Human nature hasn’t changed! Perhaps the most important prayer we can pray has been expressed in a song: “O Dear Lord, three things I pray: to hear You more clearly, love You more dearly, follow You more nearly day by day.” If that is our honest prayer, then we will indeed have hearing ears. However, we are all too prone to get set in our ways and close our ears to anything that would deter us from the path we have chosen. That’s why repentance is essential for every in­dividual, regardless of how we are seen by society. Sometimes the issue isn’t being presented to us in love, and that is something we have to be very careful about in sharing God’s truth with others. If we get up on a high horse, all holier-than-thou, we will close their ears for sure. At the same time, it’s entirely possible for someone to be “so open-minded their brains fall out.” We are to ask and allow the Holy Spirit to be a filter on our minds and hearts, so that the devil’s lies won’t shake us from the truth we have from God.

This is again something I have personal experience with. It has been said that the higher a person’s IQ, the more gullible they are likely to be, all the while convinced that they are “the adult in the room.” I have had to learn that just because I want something to be a certain way, that’s not necessarily how it is. I have also learned that a major prerequisite to hearing God consistently is the commitment to do whatever He says. He has graciously trained me in this area while I have been driving. If He nudges me to change lanes, I will do so, and if He nudges me to not, I will refrain. As a result, I move down the road much more smoothly. When I try to make those decisions on my own, there’s a high probability I will be delayed, and I’ve even had a few traffic accidents. I’ve got to walk in consistent humility, listening to Him even when He chooses to speak to me through someone I don’t think is very bright! I cannot accuse others of lacking hearing ears if I close my own.

Father, thank You for this reminder. There are various things I haven’t wanted to hear about the upcoming 40^th anniversary celebration. Help me indeed hear everything You say about it, whoever is the current mouthpiece, so that Your plans may be fulfilled on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!