NOW HEAR THIS. NOW HEAR THIS

"NOW HEAR THIS.  NOW HEAR THIS."

Those of you who have been in the Navy in years

past have heard this many times.  I do not know if

it is still used, but about 65 years ago no matter 

where you were at on the Navy base you would 

hear the static of the PA system turn on and then;

"Now hear this.  Now hear this."

What did that mean?

Simple, here is something you need to hear.

Now LISTEN.

Our natural condition it to want to talk, not

listen.  You know yourself that when the other

person is talking you are thinking about what

you want to say next, or, wishing they would

shut up so you could go about what you are

wanting to do.  It is not to listen.

[I use "hear" and "listen" interchangeably as

various Bible versions do. ]

God said;

"Understand this, my dear brothers

and sisters: You must all be quick

to listen, slow to speak, and slow to

get angry."

(James 1:19 NLT)

Out of curiosity I checked the King James version's

use of "hear".  The word hear is in there approximately

524 times.

But talking; talk, talke, talkers, talkest, talketh, and 

talking all these together was only about 44 times.

God himself in many ways  is saying;

"Now hear this.", or

shut and listen.

"Listen to me, and you will eat what is good.

You will enjoy the finest food."

(Isaiah 55:3 NLT)

"Perhaps they will listen and turn from

their evil ways.  Then I will change my

mind about the disaster I am ready to

pour out on them because of their sins."

(Jeremiah 26:3 NLT)

"Anyone with ears to hear

must listen to the Spirit and

understand what he is saying

to the churches."

(Revelation 3:22 NLT)