Lights On or Lights Out
Scripture: Luke 8:17-18
“For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all. So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”
Observations:
When Jesus spoke about the importance of His message, He wasn't kidding. His teaching would benefit some and also destroy others depending on their willingness to accept it. The reason Jesus was warning people to give special attention to what He was saying was because He knew that most people wouldn't bother. Why? Because like a lamp it brought light to everyone and exposed the secret things of people's hearts and made them known. But the sad truth was that most people weren't willing to deal with their stuff they thought was perfectly well "hidden". The word Jesus uses for "listening" means more than just hearing; it carries with it the idea of a person paying very close attention and following through with obediece. According to Jesus, the only people who were going to really get it were the ones who were willing to allow His words to penetrate their lives, expose their sins, allow God to deal with their stuff, and bring them out of the darkness into the light. But sadly, those who refuse to "listen" in the way He prescribes would remain in darkness and never get it.
Application:
God's Word describes itself as a sharp two-edged sword that "exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." (Hebrews 4:12). As we hear what the Bible has to say, our attitude will determine how effective it is in our lives. If we flippantly hear but don't really give it the proper attention, it will never change us. In fact, Jesus promised that we will actually get worse! But, when we make it a point to give God's Word focused attention with the attitude that invites Christ to venture into the dark, hidden places of our hearts and expose them with the truth, then and only then will we ever begin to know and understand God the way He desires. If we think we're "hiding" anything from God we are mistaken. "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable." (Hebrews 4:13).
Prayer:
Father, give us hearts that are fully exposed to the light of Your truth. Search us, and teach us Your ways that we might have understanding hearts. Help us to give attention to Your Word as we walk in its light today. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
“For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all. So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”
Observations:
When Jesus spoke about the importance of His message, He wasn't kidding. His teaching would benefit some and also destroy others depending on their willingness to accept it. The reason Jesus was warning people to give special attention to what He was saying was because He knew that most people wouldn't bother. Why? Because like a lamp it brought light to everyone and exposed the secret things of people's hearts and made them known. But the sad truth was that most people weren't willing to deal with their stuff they thought was perfectly well "hidden". The word Jesus uses for "listening" means more than just hearing; it carries with it the idea of a person paying very close attention and following through with obediece. According to Jesus, the only people who were going to really get it were the ones who were willing to allow His words to penetrate their lives, expose their sins, allow God to deal with their stuff, and bring them out of the darkness into the light. But sadly, those who refuse to "listen" in the way He prescribes would remain in darkness and never get it.
Application:
God's Word describes itself as a sharp two-edged sword that "exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." (Hebrews 4:12). As we hear what the Bible has to say, our attitude will determine how effective it is in our lives. If we flippantly hear but don't really give it the proper attention, it will never change us. In fact, Jesus promised that we will actually get worse! But, when we make it a point to give God's Word focused attention with the attitude that invites Christ to venture into the dark, hidden places of our hearts and expose them with the truth, then and only then will we ever begin to know and understand God the way He desires. If we think we're "hiding" anything from God we are mistaken. "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable." (Hebrews 4:13).
Prayer:
Father, give us hearts that are fully exposed to the light of Your truth. Search us, and teach us Your ways that we might have understanding hearts. Help us to give attention to Your Word as we walk in its light today. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
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