B E H I N D / T H E / B A R

As a kid I thought mine were bigger than my head could handle.  

My firstborn had a fascination with my ears.   She would hold my ear with her tiny little hand while I held her in my arms.  Thankfully she out grew that fascination.  

My grandfather, my mom, and I were all gifted with the talent of wiggling our ears.  

Now that I’m older, I’m always surprised to discover that one mysteriously long hair that has, unbeknownst to me, taken up residence on my ear, and now is as long as hair on my head.  Don’t worry I pull that sucker as soon as I actually discover it.

Ears are an important part of our body.  They are the gateway through which a ton of information passes to our brain.  We hear and we process.  As of late I’ve been thinking about the filters through which people hear, and if I’m honest with you – I’m concerned.  Concerned that we don’t have enough filters over our ears.  I guess by “filters” I’m actually talking about discernment.  I’m afraid that too many folk lack discernment to distinguish truth from a lie, fake from real, of God or not of God.  

I recently heard a man speak to a crowd of people.  He was passionate and fiery.  He was the kind of communicator that could to stir the heart of the listener, to rally the troops, and send them marching confidently out the door.  He was good.  Real good.  But he said some things that would make our Yorkie – Charlie tilt his head in curiosity, (if of course Charlie could understand him).  He referenced Scripture but with little or poor context.  He seemed to tie bows, and whitewash, things that Scripture would not call good, or holy, or righteous.  He did it in a way that was subtle and packaged in a fiery, “shuck the corn” kind of sermon.  It bothered me, but what bothered me more was the response from some of the folks who had listened to him.  

“Man, that was powerful!”  

“I need that guy to come preach at MY church!” 

“He had me on my feet!”  

Friend – allow me to lean in here – and remind you that just because someone says all the right words – “Jesus,” “God,” “Peace,” “Love,” etc.- doesn’t’ mean that they are speaking truth.  I can summon my Pentecostal roots and can preach Dr. Seuss’s “Green Eggs and Ham” with fire, fury and passion and I can get a response from the audience.  (I speak from personal experience).  But a person with charisma, charm, a title of “pastor,” or a recognizable last name does not a bearer of truth make.  

Here is some truth – not my words – someone else’s:  

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” – God to Isaiah, the prophet

Isaiah 5:20

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” – Paul to Timothy

2 Timothy 4:3-4

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. “ – Jesus

Matthew 7:15-21

When I was a kid, we sang a song in Sunday School that said “Be careful little ears what you hear. . . .”  You might know it.  That’s not just a line in a cute kids song.  It’s a mandate. Now more than ever, you and I need to be careful what we hear.  

We have to have discernment. 

Here are some of my filters, when I hear someone tell me what I should do or how I should think:   

Does what I’m hearing line up with Scripture?  – Just because someone references a Bible Verse doesn’t count.  That’s doesn’t’ mean they align with Scripture.  It means that they know that particular verse.  I want to know that what they’re saying is consistent with what God says in His Word.

Is the character of God reflected accurately in what is being said?  – God is Love.  That’s true, but that doesn’t’ translate to – God doesn’t really care what you say or do, or how you live your life because . . . He does. No one has the right or ability to remodel God to fit the image they want Him to have.  He eternally is and our interpretations or descriptions of Him cannot change Him to fit our preferred narratives.  

What’s the fruit like?  – Can you see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control?  That’s Fruit101 – but it’s the fruit of a life changed by the Spirit of God. If the fruit is missing, then God’s Spirit is probably missing to.  

Oh God help us.  

Help us not to be dumb.  

Help us to listen with our ears and judge what we hear through the discernment that your Holy Spirit makes available to us.

Help us to not be swept away by pretty words or fiery sermons or speeches.

“For  the Father up above is looking down in tender love.

Oh be careful little ears what you hear.”