On Hearing the Word
J. P. Dobson. Luke 8:18 Take heed therefore how you hear: for whoever has, to him shall be given; and whoever has not… Your mode of hearing, therefore, should correspond, on the one hand, to the character you sustain as rational and accountable creatures; and, on the other, to the unspeakable importance of Divine realities. Hence we remark — I. That it becomes you to hear ATTENTIVELY, and WITH DISCRIMINATION AND JUDGMENT. II. That it becomes you to hear, on all occasions, WITH AN EARNEST DESIRE TO BE PERSONALLY BENEFITED. 1. Among those who appear in our sanctuaries, there are multitudes of merely formal attendants. 2. Among those who hear us, there are also frequently not a few actuated solely by motives of idle curiosity. 3. There are others who make it their entire business to sit in judgment upon the merits and defects of our addresses, both as to their style and as to their matter. 4. But, probably, the most numerous class of our hearers who stand in need of rectified habits, or, at least, that class which comprehends the greatest number of truly pious individuals, consists of those who hear for any but themselves. III. Always hear with the impression upon your minds, that THE OPPORTUNITY YOU ARE ENJOYING MAY BE THE LAST YOU WILL EVER BE FAVOURED WITH. IV. See to it that you always hear IN A DEVOTIONAL FRAME OF MIND. (J. P. Dobson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. WEB: Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn't have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has."