"Take heed how ye hear." These words were spoken by Christ after he told the parable of the sower to His disciples (Luke 8:1-8, 11, 18a). We understands the power of God to save us in in the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16) When we hear, believe and obey the message, we come into contact with the blood of Jesus Christ which cleanses us from all sin. Christ's point in this parable is not so much what we hear, but how we hear it, or how we listen.

Hear the right message

In order to to take heed how we hear we must first take heed that we hear the right message. The gospel  has the power to suve us and to set us free from the bondage of sin. If that message is corrupted by a speaker, writer or human traditions, the message has lost its power. It is no longer God's divine and infallible Word, but man's words. Do wonder whether or not you've been listening to the right message? Take a look at the name of the author of the book you've been reading. If it's not God's book, the Holy Bible, there's a danger you're hearing a corrupted message.

Be Discerning

Let us learn to hear with a discerning ear and read with a critical eye. We don't put just any kind of food into our mouth. We should not permit just any message to enter our hearts. Not everything one hears and/or reads is truth. Most of what is fed out through the popular media is false. Those looking for truth will often llook to denominational preachers and teachers who peddle much doctrinal error. All must be measured against the immutable standard of God's Word. Let us imitate the noble Bereans. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11).

Hear to Believe

We need to hear in order to believe. That is, we need to hear with an intent to believe what is being communicated to us. This may seem like a trivial point but let us remember that often folks hear or listen just out of curiosity. For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing. (Acts 17:21) We need a state of heart that says "speak Lord, they servant heareth" (1 Sam 3:9).

Whereas some listen out of curiosity, others listen because of who is doing the speaking. At times, the way folks flock to hear popular personalities, one may wonder if the power is in the speaker and not in the message. It is not the man that is important, but the words he speaks, as long as they come from the Word of God.

Hear to Obey

Finally, we need to hear with the intent to obey. Jesus said, And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46) The Hebrew writer tells us Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hebrews 5:8-9) The gospel saves those who hear, believe AND obey. Some of Jesus' words in concluding the Sermon on the Mount should warn those who think that all one needs to do is give mental ascent to Christ. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21) Have you heard the Gospel? That is good. Do you believe it? That is great. Now follow Christ in faithful obedience.

Conclusion

The seed is the Word of God. How we prepare the soil is up to us. Let us make sure the seed falls upon good ground by taking heed how we hear.