Luke 8:15 (AMP)
“But as for that seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word with a good and noble heart, and hold on to it tightly, and bear fruit with patience.”
Hearing is fundamentally a matter of the heart. In the parable of the sower, Jesus describes the good soil as those who hear the word with a good and noble heart. While our ears physically hear the message, it is the heart that truly understands and embraces it. A person with a good and noble heart listens intently and applies what they have heard to their life, resulting in the visible fruit of that word over time.
Consider the Bereans mentioned in the book of Acts. They exemplified a good and noble heart by eagerly receiving the word. They were open-minded and noble, and after hearing the teachings, they diligently examined the Scriptures daily to verify the truth of what they had heard (Acts 17:11).
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on a critical question: “Why do I read the Bible?” Is it merely out of obligation as a Christian, or do I genuinely seek to understand and implement God’s truth in my life?
If our approach to reading the Word remains superficial, treating it as a duty rather than a guide for life, we risk having dull ears—hearing without truly listening. True fruit-bearing comes from genuine, heartfelt hearing. Be intentional in how you listen, and don’t allow distractions from the enemy to steal the fruit that God’s word is meant to produce in your life.
Pray for God to transform your heart, making it receptive to His word. For those who have been in the church for a long time, there’s a danger of becoming so familiar with the Scriptures that we think we know it all. This familiarity can lead to a hardened heart, preventing the Word from convicting us and bearing fruit in our lives.
Reflections
Do you listen to the word of God with your ears only or with your heart as well?
What kind of fruit are you bearing in your life today?
What does one need to do to have a good and noble heart?
