"Be careful how you hear."

The Word for today: Job 11:1 -- 12:25
mark this: 11:4-5

Many people presume to speak for God. Since God wasn't speaking, Zophar--in Job chapter 11--speaks for Him.

Jesus told us to, "Be careful how you hear." (1) What does that mean? It means that we have to be selective about our influences. We have to turn our backs on false words, especially when they are attributed to God.

Just because the president, or the pope, or your preacher; your mom, your dad, or your best friend might say so, doesn't necessarily mean it's true.

Everything we hear has to be held up to the light of scripture. And scripture--every chapter and verse--has to be scrutinized in the context of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ:
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son (2).

A cacophony of false voices--in the media, in our schools, in our government, in our friendships, and sometimes in our homes and churches--awaits us each day, often channeling and giving voice to an agenda they might not even be aware of.

So be careful how you hear. Weigh words. Consider their source. What's in it for them?

We don't have to be suspicious. But we've got to be smart.

(1) Luke 8:18; (2) Hebrews 1:1-2