On Hearing the Word of God

Many has been said about the Word of God. But how can we know if we are listening to the Correct, Perfect and Pure God's Word. As God's word is so powerful, that it should be understood perfectly.

Hebrews 4:12 NIV
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Jesus said that in  John 10:27 NIV
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Do we really listen to the voice of God? Paul warns Timothy in 1st Timothy again and again about one thing: Listening to the Word of God

There are many ways Satan tries to bring contradictions and confusions. He only can try, but God will enable us to overcome that efforts of Satan.
So we as believers have to be aware of the snares of the devil:

Things below will enable us to understand the pitfalls where many have fallen. We need to be aware and we can be, because of the Grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 4 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Great Apostasy

4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

At the end of the verse, Paul says, "Every creature of God is good". Sanctify everything by the word of God and prayer. Whenever we give a gift or whenever we receive it we should use the word of God and pray. Jesus prayed and blessed the bread before he served his disciples - At the Passover meal, He blessed and thanked Father before feeding five thousand people and again four thousand, He asked for the water and blessed it,  - "Turning the water into Grape Juice", also says profound word for the Samaritan woman - as "Jesus says "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink"

Living Waters at the well of the Jacob (Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. 7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink'.)

8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

10Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

We know that not everyone who hears the message of Christ will be saved, but the one who produces fruit(abiding in him), who seeks his kingdom first, who does as according to his will, who endures till the end - but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

How can we know if we are listening to the right Word of God
At the end of the book, 1st Timothy in chapter 6 Paul reminds us of what Jesus told of the false prophets and leaders - Matthew 10:16 NIV
"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

It is our responsibility to identify these wolves and to be wise. We need to speak the truth and produce fruit, we need to seek his Kingdom first, We need to follow his commandments, We need to obey his word, We need to love him with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. He will give us the wisdom and power to overcome any kind and form of evil, no matter what, he will be with us now and forever. He will never leave us nor forsake us, we should be confident in him, his word.

Jesus also said about Fruits: Know their Fruits

Matthew 7:18-23English Standard Version (ESV)

18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

I Never Knew You

21 “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. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

In many other instances the Bible warns and makes us to choose the right way and approach to know the perfect will of our Father to listen to his Word.

1 John 4:1 NIV
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

How to test this Spirits:
Listen to their teachings and compare it with what God wants to say: This can be done by reading and meditating the Word of God, prayer and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Listen to their teachings and understand what they do, if there is any contradiction then refrain from such teachings.

Matthew 21:28-32New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Two Sons

28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

1 Timothy 6 New King James Version (NKJV)

Honor Masters

6 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. 2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despisethem because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

Error and Greed

3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, eventhe words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,5 useless wranglings[a] of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.[b]

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing intothis world, and it is certain[c] we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of allkinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The Good Confession

11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

Instructions to the Rich

17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Guard the Faith

20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profaneand idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— 21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.

Grace be with you. Amen.