Take Heed What You Hear! 2 Timothy 4:1-5

“And He (Christ Jesus) said unto them, Take heed what ye hear; with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you, and unto you that hear shall more be given.”

Mark 4:24.

Good morning, Christian hearer!  Like Mary the sister of the most active Martha, whom we read about in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 10:39), you have taken time to sit at Christ’s feet, as it were, hearing sound Gospel doctrines and personally studying the Bible truths for yourself.  In this manner, you have behaved wisely, like the beloved Bereans we are all called upon to imitate.  (Acts 17:10-11)

Therefore, though teachers of earthly renown should come to you preaching or teaching doctrines contrary to the Gospel truth of Salvation in Christ Alone - you will not hear their lies, nor embrace their errors.  Yea, though a very angel from Heaven were to preach another Gospel to you, you would, as Paul instructs, treat him as something accursed of God!  Praise God for your Spiritual discernment!  Amen! 

“But though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”  (Galatians 1:6-12)

Yet, as today’s Bible passage clearly predicts, the time has come when many professing to be Christians will NOT endure the faithful teaching and preaching of sound Scriptural doctrine; they are plagued with itching ears; ears itching to hear false doctrines; easy-believism; ways of Salvation other than via the precious Blood of Christ Jesus - shed for the sins of the Elect at a place called Calvary.  (Leviticus 17:11) (1 Peter 18-19)

Such is the apostate state of much that is termed Christendom today, in the year 2024.  Having watered down true Christian beliefs, and compromised the faith once delivered unto us, - they now resemble nothing of Bible-based Christianity. 

Having turned away their ears from hearing Scriptural truth, they are in fact turned unto fables of worldly falsehood.  All sound hearers must always contend against such falsehoods, vehemently.  (2 John 6-11)

“Beloved…ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3-4)

Our Bible text above records Christ’s own personal admonition to us to take heed what we hear.  If what we hear is faithful Scriptural preaching/teaching, then faith shall be added unto us.  How?  Yes!  Because, “...faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”  It’s just as profoundly simple as this!  (Romans 10:17)

Thus, the measure of what we learn of God’s sound truth shall always be determined by the exact measure of the time and attention we give to the study of God’s Word, and of course, to the hearing of wholesome Christian doctrine. 

“Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth.”  (John 17:17)

In the above manner,therefore, we get out of God’s Word exactly what we are prepared to put into Bible study.  It’s a Scriptural truth!

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, A workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.”  (2 Timothy 2:15)

“Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.  For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”  (Luke 6:38)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

We learn, in the second place, from these verses, the importance of hearing, and of considering well what we hear.

“This is a point to which our Lord evidently attaches great weight. We have seen it already brought out in the parable of the sower. We see it here enforced in two remarkable expressions. “If any man have an ear to hear, let him hear.” “Take heed what ye hear.”

“Hearing the truth is one principal avenue through which grace is conveyed to the soul of man. “Faith cometh by hearing.” (Romans 10:17) One of the first steps towards conversion is to receive from the Spirit a hearing ear. Seldom are men brought to repentance and faith in Christ without “hearing.” The general rule is that of which St. Paul reminds the Ephesians, “ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth.” (Ephesians 1:13)

“Let us bear this in mind when we hear preaching decried as a means of grace. There are never wanting men who seek to cast it down from the high place which the Bible gives it. There are many who proclaim loudly that it is of far more importance to the soul to hear liturgical forms read, and to receive the Lord’s Supper, than to hear God’s word expounded. Of all such notions let us beware. Let it be a settled principle with us that “hearing the word,” is one of the foremost means of grace that God has given to man. Let us give to every other means and ordinance its proper value and proportion. But never let us forget the words of St. Paul, “despise not prophesyings,” and his dying charge to Timothy, “Preach the word.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20) (2 Timothy 4:2).” (J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels 1816-1900)

With the above Bible lesson in mind therefore, let us take better heed to exactly what we are hearing today.  God’s Word alone is Divine truth.

Thought:  God’s Truth is sweet music to a Gospel-tuned ear.