FAITH AND THE POWER OF THE EAR

The power of the ear is incredible. It plays a leading role in determining the direction of our thoughts, the quality of our faith and the state of our lives. The active, objective, discerning and perceptive listener would be success bound.

Faith is extremely vital to successful living. People who grasp the dynamics of functional faith usually excel phenomenally. Actually, according to the Scriptures, faith is synonymous with life: “The just shall live by faith” (Rom 1:17). But, primarily, faith is communicated via speech: “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17. Effective and successful living therefore has a lot to do with effective communication — both speaking and hearing. The onus is upon both sender and receiver (the noise factor being considered) but there seems to be an added emphasis upon the receiver or “hearer” — “Faith comes by hearing...”

Throughout the Scriptures there appears to be the greater problem on the side of the hearers. Jesus’ parable on the sower and the seed (Mk 4:4-9) is one of the pieces which highlight more vividly the problems with defective listening. It also reveals how drastically this affects levels of receptivity. Christ explained that “the seed” was the spoken Word which fell by the way side, on stony ground, among thorns and on good ground. The various places where the seed fell represented different attitudes of listening. The Apostle Paul speaks about “the hearing of faith” (Gal 3:5). In other words, there is a way in which we listen, that will effectively assist in producing and activating faith in us. Today, we’ll examine various kinds of listeners, with the hope that this would contribute to enhancing the “hearing of faith.” We’ll classify the listeners as follows:

•The active: This person lends a very attentive ear, is well focused, enthusiastic and maintains a high level of interest and receptivity. This listener may be taking notes, asking questions and the like. The primary aim of this person is to translate the message into action. He/she is “not only a hearer, but a doer” (James 1: 23).

•The passive: This is essentially the opposite of the active listener. Attention is limp, focus is shaky, interest level vacillates and receptivity is low. Little is acquired from what’s communicated.

•The indifferent: This type of listener is similar in attitude to the passive, but overall, is worse off. The interest level is lower and the attitude to the material being communicated borders on the contemptuous. Most times real benefit is basically zero.

• The objective: Fairness, balance and honesty dominate this listener’s mind. Bias and prejudice, based upon personal preferences or otherwise, are absent. Black is black and white is white. The yield is quite healthy.

• The subjective: A prejudiced ear is lent to whatever is communicated. The value or veracity of what is said is determined by the personal bias of the listener. This bias may have to do with preferred perspectives and positions, class, race, social status or numerous other factors. The end result is twisted, distorted and unhealthy.

• The analytical: What is expressed is carefully and meticulously examined, defined and refined by this listener. A surgical approach is taken in dealing with the material presented. Close attention is given to things such as data and details, before a conclusion is formed. The conclusion is usually sound. “Prove all things and hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thess 5:21).

• The emotional: Emotions, mood swings and sometimes mere sentiment, are the filters through which the communicated material has to pass, in order for a position to be taken. Since the approach is emotion-based, it is shallow and weak. Conclusions are usually hyped but misleading and disappointing. A good example is the “sweet nothings” which spark high emotions when whispered in the ears of lovers. They are believed, but soon the bubble pops!

• The perceptive/discerning: The Bible speaks of those who are deceived by misleading doctrines because they possess “itching ears,” but no sense of discernment. The Lord also warms us to “believe not every spirit but try the spirits....” (I Jn 4:1). The perceptive or discerning hears things that are not said! There is a “third ear” and a “third eye” which are functional, picking up “that extra.” Not only what is said is revealed, but also the spirit and motive behind what is said. These may be good or bad. The listener must however guard against undue, vain and damaging suspicion.

• The sceptical: He/she lends an ear that is restricted by doubts and reservations. There is no complete approval of, or commitment to, anything that’s communicated. The listener is unduly wary, reluctant and hesitant. While in this state, it is difficult for him/her to profit from even the positive. “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways... such a man shall not receive anything from the Lord” (James 1: 8,7).

• The critical: Arrogance, selfishness, conceitedness and egoism are generally the driving forces behind this listener. The motives are ulterior and the agenda questionable. The intention is negative and vexatious. The mission is to find a fault, even if there is none! The listener is a loser.

The power of the ear is incredible. It plays a leading role in determining the direction of our thoughts, the quality of our faith and the state of our lives. The active, objective, analytical, discerning and perceptive listener would be success bound.