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women with hypnotizing voices. They could be heard but never seen. According to the stories, they would sing sweet melodies from rocky places. Sailors would hear the voices while journeying and want to catch a glimpse. Yet their ships would be dashed to pieces in the rocks if they steered too close to the enchanting emanations. The end would be a watery demise for captain and crew. profoundly affect us. Second, things that sound good can be dangerous and even deadly. Third, the unwary follow their ears to ruin. JesusSpoken, sung or shouted, words leave an impression on us. They don’t even have to be directed toward us. Slander, gossip, profanity, boasting, tasteless jokes, godless speech and impudent dialogues are all around us. “I am staggered by what I hear, I am bewildered by what I see.” (Isaiah 21:3) Like what we see, what we listen to fills our hearts. Therefore, it is absolutely imperative to exercise discernment. JesusThe Second Book of Samuel tells a story of Amnon, one of King David’s sons. He was frustrated, because he lusted after his half-sister, Tamar. Amnon’s friend, Jonadab, devised a plan. He explained how Amnon could get his sister into his room alone in order to force himself on her. Amnon followed through with the plan and raped his sister Tamar. Suffering ensued. She was shamed; her life was destroyed. Amnon was killed later by his vengeful half-brother, Absalom (Tamar’s full brother). There is more to this bitter story, but Absalom’s life afterward plays out tragically too. So much pain and grief resulted from one person following the foolish advice of a wicked man. He needed godly counsel. He should have refused to listen and sent his “friend” away. (2 Samuel 13:1-39) JesusDoes the story of Amnon seem like an extreme example? Hopefully you are wiser than he; hopefully you do not even contemplate such evil. Even so, a few words at a strategic time, or many words often, can be surprisingly powerful. We all can be encouraged by kind words and angered by harsh words. We laugh and smile at funny jokes, and sad stories make us cry. We are relaxed by slow music, energized by fast music and excited by loud music. We can be led astray by false gospels. We are pressured, convinced, motivated, emotionally charged and otherwise stimulated in a thousand different ways by what we listen to. The advertising industry knows it, public speakers know it, and musicians know it. Who can deny it? JesusUltimately, we need to discern the good from the bad. “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God’s comes upon the sons of disobedience.” (Ephesians 5:6) Begin to identify common sources of unsuitable subject matter. It is easy to avoid offensive radio stations and music. When you’re caught by surprise, simply turn it off or walk away. As Christians we must be bold enough to confront people with gentleness and respect. When it is fitting we can say something like, “That’s not appropriate”, “I don’t want to listen to this” or “Can we talk about something else”. God wants us to be filled with, “all knowledge” (Romans 15:14), “all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19), “the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) and “the fruits of righteousness” (Philippians 1:11). We must be careful not to fill our ears and hearts with everything else instead. JesusOpen ears to perversity equals closed ears to God. “Because, when I called, no one JesusJesusJesusanswered, when I spoke they did not hear; but they did evil before My eyes, and JesusJesusJesuschose that in which I do not delight.” (Isaiah 66:4) Many people dismiss God’s JesusJesusJesusword in favor of “what their itching ears want to hear.” (2Timothy 4:3) JesusJesusJesusListeners are led away by these influences and dulled to truth, wisdom and JesusJesusJesusunderstanding. Jesus spoke about this lack of awareness. “In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.” (Matthew 13:14-15) JesusAs Christians, we must filter everything (that we hear and see, say, think and do) through the Word of God, and strain out the contradictions. Like the song of the sirens, absence of cursing or obvious immorality does not make something safe or good. Furthermore, it is a mistake to assume that a message is God ordained because it contains Christian terminology. “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.” (2Peter 2:1) We have a responsibility to guard our hearts and be a light in this world. This we can do in Christlikeness and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, who dwells in each Christian. JesusWhen we compromise our holiness, sin gains a foothold in our lives. “...And do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:27) Then it escalates; and we become ineffective and counterproductive as Christians. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1Corinthians 9:24) Additional scripture for review: 1Samuel 3:10 Jeremiah 5:21 John 8:47 Ephesians 4:14 2 Timothy 4:3 |
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