Take Heed What You Hear
Mark 4
KJV
23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
24+ 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.
As a communicator, one of the challenges I've faced is how my audience understands what I say. I must admit it's one of the challenges that every teacher faces and it is very difficult to overcome.
From the passage above, Jesus said, “If any man have ears to hear let him hear “ and then added “Take heed what you hear !” Which simply means “pay attention to the contents (details) of what you hear”. To hear is common ( everyone has ears!) but to understand is not.
Unfortunately, most don’t pay attention to what they hear and this explains why they misrepresent what they either hear or read! To understand what you hear,(read) here are a few things to guide you.
Firstly, listen (read) with an unbiased mind. Always listen (read) with an open ear ( mind) this is a hallmark of a truth seeker. As a young man, I was encouraged to read not only books authored by writers who are favourable to my beliefs, but also those who are unfavourable! It was a way of training me to be objective in thought and understanding! This is called maturity.
This advice and practice I found in later years to be very helpful as it helped me engage in fruitful conversations, dialogues, debates etc with people I don’t agree with in a civil, respectful and not acrimonious environment!
To win an argument/debate or discussion you must first know what the opponent knows about the subject to be debated before meeting him. It helps your preparation, and a well-prepared mind carries the day.
Secondly, put everything you hear (read) in context, and ask yourself what subject matter the writer ( speaker ) is addressing. This will help you understand every word, terminology, expression, phrase etc that he employs in his delivery.
When I was a student I was taught this proverb “ words have their meanings in the mind of the user”. The import is “ when in doubt, ask the speaker !” I was taught to be “ objective “ in my search for truth I was taught to give credit to every speaker by fully listening to him without bias.
Context helps greatly in understanding everything one hears or reads. It is the hallmark of scholarship, a refined mind and thinker.
There is this other caution Jesus gave which must be considered; alongside the “what”; read it;
Luke 8
KJV
18+ 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.
The “ how” you hear has to do with your posture, demeanour, mindset, attitude; how we receive what we are told or taught influences and affects our response and ultimately our actions! Acceptance or rejection!
It is painful to be misunderstood or misrepresented, so let those who desire to communicate give thought to the above advices. Clarity of thought and presentation, in the same spirit as many are desirous to repeat/report etc; what they hear (read) do so accurately.
A word to the wise!