The phrase “He who has ears to hear” is found numerous times throughout the New Testament, spoken by Jesus Himself. This intriguing statement prompts the question – what exactly did Jesus mean by this? When we examine the contexts in which Jesus said these words, some helpful insights emerge.
It Indicates There are Spiritual Truths that Need to be Heard
In the Gospels, Jesus often said “He who has ears to hear” after teaching parables or difficult spiritual truths (Matthew 11:15, 13:9, 13:43; Mark 4:9, 4:23; Luke 8:8, 14:35). The parables were stories with deeper meanings that conveyed kingdom principles. However, they could only be rightly understood by those with spiritual ears inclined to hear. Jesus was essentially saying – this teaching requires spiritual discernment to grasp its meaning. There are profound spiritual insights here for those with willing ears to hear them.
There is a comparison made between physical and spiritual hearing. Our physical ears pick up audible sounds and words. But beyond the physical is a deeper spiritual realm. Not everyone will have spiritual ears attuned to pick up the divine frequencies and hidden insights God wants to communicate. Jesus’ statement “He who has ears to hear” alerts us that spiritual sensitivity is required to pick up the deeper meanings in His teachings.
It Implies the Need for an Obedient Heart, Not Just Hearing Ears
Why would some people lack spiritual ears to hear? Jesus’ statement indicates that merely having physical ears is not enough. God’s voice is heard by those with soft, obedient hearts inclined to do His will. Obedience positions us to discern God’s voice. A rebellious, hardened heart tuned out from God will render one deaf to the deeper spiritual insights in Christ’s words.
In Luke 8:8, Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” He had just explained the parable of the sower. The different soils represented different spiritual conditions of people’s hearts. Only the good soil representing the soft, humble heart obedient to God’s word could produce fruit. So when Jesus said “let him hear”, He meant having hearing ears alone is insufficient if the heart is not right with God. A receptive, obedient heart is essential to truly hear and heed spiritual truth.
It Functions as a Call to Pay Careful Attention
When Jesus utters the phrase “He who has ears to hear”, it serves as a solemn prompt to listen up and pay careful attention. This was often said when the truths were difficult to accept or follow. The weighty statements required one to tune in and focus one’s spiritual ears.
In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus used the phrase as a preface, urging the crowd to reflect carefully on its meaning. In Revelation chapters 2-3, Jesus spoke this phrase to the churches before presenting some corrective instructions. It functioned as a call to heed these important words and apply them with care. When we come across this expression in Scripture, we know critical spiritual insights are being presented that require our full attention and obedience.
It Implies Receptive Hearing Leads to More Revelation
Spiritual truths often unfold gradually to those who walk with God. Further light is revealed over time to those who show themselves faithful. Jesus used the metaphor of measures of flour being given to the disciples (Mark 4:24-25). The more they listened, the more they would receive. In the Parable of the Talents, the servants entrusted with money were given greater responsibilities because they had been faithful with what they already had (Matthew 25:14-30).
So when Jesus alerts us to pay attention by saying “He who has ears to hear”, He implies that cultivating spiritual ears now positions us for greater understanding later. If we diligently apply and walk in the light of insight already imparted, we are proving ourselves able to handle further truth. More revelation awaits those who nurture spiritual ears inclined to obey God’s voice.
We Must Constantly Examine the Condition of Our Spiritual Ears
From these examples, we learn the importance of frequently evaluating the state of our spiritual ears. Here are some questions we can ask ourselves:
– Am I operating predominantly in the physical realm or tuning into the spiritual frequencies of God’s voice?
– Does my heart instinctively obey God’s word, or resist it?
– Am I carefully considering Christ’s difficult sayings, even when they challenge me?
– Do I act upon the spiritual insights God grants me, so I’m ready for more?
As we walk with Christ, we must repeatedly check that our ears stay sensitive to the whispers of God’s Spirit. It’s easy to slip into relying on our own wisdom and becoming deaf to His voice. By regularly asking these questions, we can ensure our spiritual ears stay receptive to all God wants to speak.
Cultivating Spiritual Ears to Hear
How then can believers cultivate “ears to hear” and grow in spiritual hearing? Scripture points to some key ways.
Humility
Humility orients the heart to listen to and depend on God. James 4:6 reminds us, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” A proud person feels self-sufficient and therefore less inclined to listen to others. But a humble heart understands its limits and desperate need for God’s direction. Jesus emphasized only the childlike – humble and dependent – could receive the kingdom (Luke 18:17). As we cultivate humility, we open our ears to keep hearing from God.
Obedience
Obedience keeps our ears tuned to the frequency of God’s voice. In John 7:17, Jesus said, “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God.” As we obey what we already know, we will better recognize God’s voice guiding us into new areas. Obedience fine-tunes our spiritual ears.
Stillness
To hear well, we need stillness. The noisy distractions of life and our own thoughts can overpower God’s gentle whisper. But as we regularly withdraw into quietness, fixing our ears on Him, His voice becomes clearer. The prophet Elijah encountered God, not in loud manifestations, but in “a gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:11-12). May we learn to quiet ourselves to hear Him best.
God’s Word
Immersing ourselves in Scripture trains our ears to recognize God’s voice. As it dwells in us richly (Colossians 3:16), we become familiar with the tones and patterns of His communication. His Spirit uses His Word to guide us into truth and teach us all things (John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Steeping ourselves in the written Word awakens spiritual ears to keep hearing the Living Word.
Community
Other believers can help attune us to God’s voice too. In the church, we are surrounded by those who can support and encourage our spiritual hearing. More mature Christians can mentor and advise those less experienced in recognizing God’s voice. Together, we learn to distinguish the Great Shepherd’s voice from poor imitations (John 10:2-5).
Why Having Ears to Hear Matters
Possessing spiritual ears is vital because it leads to:
– Understanding God’s truth on deeper levels
– Ability to discern God’s voice from misleading ones
– Greater faith, obedience, wisdom and discernment in life
– Deeper intimacy with God as we recognize His voice
– Avoidance of poor decisions and pitfalls due to not hearing God’s warnings or guidance
– Increased spiritual authority and responsibility
– Greater knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom and God’s ways
If we fail to hear God’s voice, we operate purely on earthly human wisdom. But cultivating spiritual ears keeps our lives aligned to the kingdom purposes, plans and priorities God wants to reveal.
Conclusion
When Jesus said “He who has ears to hear”, He was urging His followers to urgently evaluate the condition of their spiritual ears. Far more than physical hearing is required. Our hearts must be humble and receptive. As we become quick to obey God’s voice, we increasingly recognize those divine whispers. Sensitivity to the realm of the Spirit only develops through stillness, saturating ourselves in Scripture, godly community and cultivating spiritual disciplines. The more we devote ourselves to hearing God’s voice, the more attuned our ears become. The Lord has much He desires to speak into our lives. Let us keep our spiritual ears wide open to all He wants to say and show us, that we might walk in the fullness of His calling and bring glory to His Name.