Choose what You Hear

And he 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)

Most people don’t understand how hearing repeated words, phrases or songs can influence them. What you allow yourself to hear will affect the life you live.

On our first day as Bible school students, my wife Deborah and I were sitting in the front row. In my free time, I frequently watched sports, and that year one commercial with a catchy tune ran several times during each game. It was for a popular beer brand. I still remember it to this day: “I have Pabst blue ribbon on my mind, more and more lately I find. I’ve got a taste for living. That cold blue ribbon. I have Pabst blue ribbon on my mind.”

As I sat in Bible school, waiting for the prophet of God to come through the door, my wife kicked me! I was like, “What are you hitting me for?” She said, “You are singing a beer commercial, and the prophet is about to walk through the door?!” I had heard it so much that it had become a part of my consciousness, and I didn’t even know I was humming it.

Words are not neutral; they have the power to shape our thoughts and our decisions. That’s why Jesus placed an emphasis on guarding our hearing. The words we expose ourselves to can either build our faith or destroy it. Think about what you allow to go into your ears and in front of your eyes. This includes the daily news, social media, and even casual conversations with people in the workplace. There are faith-draining and faith-building words floating around all the time. Choose wisely what you allow yourself to hear.

Practical Application

Be intentional about the words and messages you expose yourself to. There is no such thing as a neutral song, a neutral conversation, or a neutral word. The words we hear either build up our faith or destroy it. Choose what you hear wisely.

Genesis 8:22; Matthew 13:4

Personal Convictions

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. (Romans 14:14)

Personal conviction results from a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit.

The world gives us many choices about what we can consume and how we can conduct ourselves. Scripture offers clear guidance on moral issues, but it also recognizes the impact of personal convictions on our conduct. Where Scripture does not explicitly condemn or endorse something, our convictions play a significant role.

I choose to not drink beer, wine, or liquor. For me, that would be unclean. Specifically, because it goes against my personal convictions and my relationship with the Holy Spirit. If I were to do something that is against my personal convictions, it would be sin.

Paul’s words serve as a reminder that our faith is not just a corporate belief we hold with the church we are connected to, it’s a deeply personal journey as well. The Word and our relationship with the Holy Ghost should shape our convictions. The Holy Ghost helps guide us into all truth.

Paul chose not to do some things out of consideration for his own and others' beliefs, not because they were evil.

Practical Application

How has your relationship with the Holy Spirit shaped your personal convictions? Are there areas that you just feel convicted about where others don’t? Don’t use your personal conviction to bring condemnation to others, but also don’t throw away your conviction to conform to those around you. Follow what the Word says, and what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.

1 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Corinthians 8:10

Refuse to be a Blocker

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. (Romans 14:13)

In Romans 14:13, Paul called the church to rethink their approach to how they judge others. We shouldn't force our convictions on others. Rather, we should share the Word, assess our own actions, and avoid causing stumbling blocks for other believers.

I was recently in a certain European country, and they were thoughtful to put all their wine and alcohol away when they knew I was coming. Why? I wouldn’t have held that against them because it was a part of tradition in that nation for the last 1000 years. Then why did they put it away? They didn’t want a stumbling block to be put in front of Keith Butler. They did it for my benefit. They acted out of love.

Our convictions are important, even if something isn't inherently unclean or sinful, as the Apostle Paul reminded us. What one person thinks of as clean, another may think of being unclean. In those instances, we should not be so focused on proving that we are right, but more focused on how I can help and love the people God placed in my life.

As a Christian, genuine love should be demonstrated through actively living in a way that we avoid being a stumbling block to others. Abstain when necessary, help where we can, and support others with love.

Practical Application

Refuse to be a stumbling block for other believers. Reflect on your attitude and actions today. Ask yourself, “Am I quick to judge others more than I’m eager to build them up?” Make it a point to prioritize how you can lift up others and support them.

Matthew 7:1; Isaiah 57:14