Listeners vs. Heeders

“It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen toa song of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:5).

It may have been always so, but at present we seem to haveplenty of songs from many fools. We also seem to be short on wise men. Thegreatest shortage, however, is in heeders. A heeder is one who listens(pays attention) and obeys what he has heard. James said it this way:

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceiveyourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22).

In my early Christian life, I memorized many verses ofScripture. I succeeded in deceiving myself. I was not obeying; I was notheeding. I thought I was spiritual.

Being a listener is a dangerous position to be in. There aremany good teachers of the Word. There are many more listeners. They flock togood teachers. The teacher should not be pleased that he has many listeners,unless he is going to teach them how to be heeders. This is one of theclear requirements in the Great Commission: “…teaching them to obeyeverything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).

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