A Word of Encouragement

June 6, 2026

PA100 - Silence

Grace, Hope & Peace, Friend;

While Jesus was teaching His followers, He would often speak in parables and afterwards, some of them would come privately and ask Him what the parables meant. (Mark 4:10) And sometimes with His explanation, He would add, "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." (Mark 4:23)

And He was saying to them, "Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides."
	Mark 4:24

"Take care what you listen to."

That warning is as appropriate today as it has been since creation! When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, He told them they could eat fruit from any tree in the garden except from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If they ate from that tree they would die.

Now the serpent was more cunning than any animal of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God really said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?"
	Genesis 3:1

Eve knew that wasn't what God had said, so she 'corrected' Satan. By engaging him in debate, she gave him opportunity to convince her that God was just holding out on them, and he persuaded her to reject God's authority. (Vs. 2-6)

"Take care what you listen to."

Do we sometimes hear or read things that we know don't quite sound right? What is our response?

Paul had a few warnings: "Refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels." (2 Timothy 2:23) And "Avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are useless and worthless." (Titus 3:9)

Jesus promised us His Spirit, saying, "When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;" (John 16:13) And James encourages us,

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
	James 1:5

Whatever you read or hear, ask God's Spirit to guide you to the truth.

The truth is in God's word - not in human interpretations.

Ruach Elohim - Spirit of God - Help me rely on You for the truth.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
	Psalm 19:14

The truth is in God's word,