Go beyond hearing, understand!

[ShekinahInGlory]

"When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand:"

(Matthew 15:10 NKJV)

…

Hear: to perceive or become aware of by the ear. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Understand: to grasp the meaning of. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

It is possible to hear without understanding, but it easier to understand after hearing. With the help of the Holy Spirit, one can also understand and perceive a thing without hearing.

In the text about Jesus want the multitude to go beyond hearing, He wants them to understand and grasp what He was about to tell them. A lot of things are being said around us that we do not understand. God speaks to us in diverse ways, He arranges series of burning bushes for us daily. He expect us to turn aside and understand them. It is not enough to just lament over happenings, God expects us to ask Him for meaning of the things we see.

We need to train our ears to hear and understand God. Without understanding Him, it is will be difficult to obey Him in a way that will bring glory to His holy Name.

 

[Tolworth John]

We need to train our ears to hear and understand God. Without understanding Him, it is will be difficult to obey Him in a way that will bring glory to His holy Name

The best way to do this is to learn that every verse has to be understood by its context.
The context of Matt 15:10 is of the Pharisees putting their traditions over God's word.

Jesus is saying that one is not made unclean by eating food.
That is what Jesus was getting the people to listen and to understand.

 

[ShekinahInGlory]

Thank you for this insight.

 

[CaspianSails]

Hearing is easy, to understand takes work, effort, much thought, and time spent with God alone. It is easier to hear only what is spoken to you on a Sunday or Saturday or whatever day you chose. Understanding is a lifelong battle of self and a never ending struggle to learn, know and stand firm in the faith. Understanding is knowing your are forgiven. Knowing you must forgive. It is being faithful to the brethren, wrestling with them, loving them, caring for them. Understanding demands action, selfless action and it requires the diminishing of self.

 

[ShekinahInGlory]

Hearing is easy, to understand takes work, effort, much thought, and time spent with God alone. It is easier to hear only what is spoken to you on a Sunday or Saturday or whatever day you chose. Understanding is a lifelong battle of self and a never ending struggle to learn, know and stand firm in the faith. Understanding is knowing your are forgiven. Knowing you must forgive. It is being faithful to the brethren, wrestling with them, loving them, caring for them. Understanding demands action, selfless action and it requires the diminishing of self.

Oh Lord, help me to understand you and let it move me into actions that will please you.