Luke 8:11-18 King James Version (KJV)
11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
A young lad asked his father to solve a riddle. He said, “There were three frogs sitting on a log. One frog decided to jump off. How many were left?" Almost immediately, without winking, the dad replied, “two, of course”. “You are wrong,” exclaimed the lad! There were three frogs left. One frog only decided to jump off, but it didn't jump. Really? In verse 18 of our text, Jesus said, “Take heed therefore how ye hear ...” There is a great difference between hearing and listening. Most people hear a lot but hardly listen.
Listening involves paying attention. The father in our story did not pay attention. Many quarrels will be prevented just by good listening - paying good attention to is being said. Hearing, without listening, has broken many homes or relationships, shattered Churches and hindered breakthrough due to misunderstanding and bitterness. You can change the world with your listening abilities.
Attention, please!