In Part One, we examined the first two symptoms: Loss of smell and Dry eye syndrome. The first means sin no longer has a stench so bad we cannot stand to be around it, beginning with our own, and that of our culture. Dry eye syndrome implies we no longer weep over those sins—that which breaks the heart of God no longer breaks ours. Our eyes no longer see sin as God does. Today we continue our series.
Symptom #3 – Loss of Hearing (Who and What are you listening to?)
The sinful lifestyles of the nation and world in which we live today have one common agenda, which makes sense because they belong to satan. Read his names in the following verses:
“in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they will not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4
“you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” Ephesians 2:2
They want to drown out all truth and make those who listen to and believe it look like fools and haters. Sadly too many “Christians” have been caught up in this and beginning to doubt, have walked away from Christ showing that in fact they were not truly born-again.
Refusing to Listen to God (God’s Word)
For this is a rebellious people, false sons, Sons who refuse to listen to the instruction of the LORD; Who say to the seers, “You must not see visions”; and to the prophets, “You must not prophesy the truth to us. Speak to us pleasant words. Isaiah 30: 9-10
Listening to satan, the devil—prince and of the air (this world) and father of lies questions your salvation.
(Jesus speaking) “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I say the truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? The one who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.” John 8:44-47
Listening to the “theology” of the world=the dumbing down of America
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,” 2 Timothy 4:3
Cure: Jesus shared these words with His disciples about hearing and listening to TRUTH.
“But (Jesus) replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17
“This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near.” Revelation 1:2-3
The key to dealing with the symptom of loss of hearing is to do as the children’s song says that I learned decades ago in Sunday School. “
“Oh, be careful (little) ears what you hear; for the Father up above is looking down in love so be careful little ears what you hear.”
Good advice! For Christ’s sake,
