Have we Learned the Truth, or
Just Heard the Truth?
We cannot dismiss the fact that some can hear something once and completely understand its intricacies. Yet, speaking for what I believe is the majority, especially regarding more complex subjects, hearing it is much different than learning it. Some talk too fast for me to grasp their instruction. Others do not speak plainly, so I can hear and understand. Still others may be so verbose with this language, one needs a dictionary to understand even their casual conversation. In such cases, one cannot truly learn a subject, and in certain cases, even hearing is difficult.
When considering the importance of God’s word, one must never be a “hearer only.” Examine James 1:22 with me. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Hearing requires two things: a speaker and a listener. God spoke (Hebrews 1:1-2), and so that leaves us the responsibility to listen. Yet James says, “Be not hearers only.” There is obviously something more to do! Verse 25 gives us the answer: “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” This means we must LEARN from what we hear, and we learn by doing!
Let’s take another scripture and see if we can learn from its application in this subject. In His sermon on the mount, Jesus used Matthew 5: 38-42 to speak of “giving the extra” even when doing so would take advantage of you. Verse 41 says, “And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” We admit that turning the other cheek, or surrendering our garments in addition to our coat, would be difficult and more than necessary. So also is walking the extra mile, when “compelled” to do so. But think of it this way: What if Christ asked you to do it?
If you answered “yes” to this query, then you would be willing to accept the extra discipline, surrender the additional garments, and walk the extra distance. Then why would we NOT give extra effort to learning God’s word? Most Christians will at least listen to sermons and bible study discussions. They don’t always participate, but they don’t mind sitting and listening. Yet, how does the teacher (or anyone else) know if these listeners are doing more than listening? Read again James 1:25 and you find the answer. The learners are doing it – hearers only listen! Learners expect to experience a “testing” of their acquired knowledge (i.e., faith – James 1:1-5). Learners demonstrate their faith, knowing faith without works is dead, being alone! (James 2:18-26)
Learning takes time and attention. It also requires the rehearsing of the basics, but determination to build wisely upon those basics (see Hebrews 6:1-12). True learners will not be satisfied with “first principles,” but their hunger and thirst for righteousness compels them to delve deep into the riches of God’s word. They realize the more they learn, the more they can do to help others learn and obey God’s saving truth. They are never satisfied with “just a little,” and never permit an interference with the opportunity to learn more! These are the souls of the true “doers of the work” who are blessed in their deeds! (James 1:22)
To “hear and do not” places souls in the same contemptuous condition as the Pharisees. (Matthew 23: 2-3) Frankly, unless the hearer lets what they hear penetrate their mind, and contemplates the subject (1 Timothy 4:15-16), they quickly forget what they heard, and the result is wasted time! This is why several times throughout the New Testament we read the inspired phrase, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” It is not a matter of simply listening: it is a matter of learning, which is proven only by the doing of the work!
Consider the necessity of this musing. Hearing, when learned, can prepare the following generation for hearing and learning. Paul said it this way: “ And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2) Just as we train our children and grandchildren to listen and learn so they can be productive when they come of age, we Christians need to insist on the hearing and learning within every service so, if the Lord wills so, the next generation will be prepared to carry onward in the proven pattern of righteousness! Alas, if today’s souls fail to truly learn, instead of merely hearing, ignorance will prevail where truth and righteousness should prevail! So, dear reader, have we learned the truth or only heard it? The proof is in the doing of the work! (James 1:22)