Topical Bible: The Ear: Capable of Trying and Distinguishing Words

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Topical Encyclopedia

The human ear, a marvel of divine creation, is not only a physical organ for hearing but also a spiritual instrument for discernment. In the Scriptures, the ear is often symbolically associated with the ability to perceive, understand, and judge words and teachings. This capacity for discernment is emphasized throughout the Bible, highlighting the importance of listening with wisdom and understanding.

Biblical References

The ability of the ear to try and distinguish words is explicitly mentioned in the book of Job. Job 12:11 states, "Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?" This rhetorical question underscores the ear's role in evaluating and discerning the truth of spoken words, much like the tongue discerns flavors. The comparison suggests that just as tasting requires discernment to distinguish between good and bad, so does listening require discernment to differentiate between truth and falsehood.

In Proverbs, the ear is frequently associated with wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 18:15 declares, "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." Here, the ear is portrayed as an active seeker of knowledge, emphasizing the importance of listening attentively and wisely to gain understanding.

Spiritual Discernment

The New Testament further develops the theme of spiritual discernment through hearing. Jesus often used the phrase, "He who has ears, let him hear," as seen in Matthew 11:15 . This call to attentive listening is not merely about physical hearing but about spiritual receptivity and the willingness to understand and act upon His teachings.

The Apostle Paul also speaks to the importance of discernment in hearing. In Romans 10:17 , he writes, "Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." This passage highlights the critical role of hearing in the development of faith, suggesting that the ear must be attuned to the word of God to foster spiritual growth and understanding.

Warnings Against False Teachings

The Bible also warns against the dangers of failing to discern truth from falsehood. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4 , Paul cautions, "For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." This warning illustrates the peril of having "itching ears" that seek out teachings that align with personal desires rather than divine truth.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in aiding believers to discern truth through hearing. In John 16:13 , Jesus promises, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth." The Spirit acts as a divine guide, helping believers to hear and understand the truth of God's word amidst the noise of the world.

Conclusion

The ear, as depicted in the Bible, is a powerful tool for discernment, capable of distinguishing between truth and falsehood. Through attentive and wise listening, guided by the Holy Spirit, believers are called to test and evaluate the words they hear, ensuring they align with the truth of Scripture.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 12:11
Does not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of Evil-Speaking in General.
... of good doctrine, rendering him capable to understand ... no man willingly doth afford
an ear to him ... the power of administering justice (of trying, sentencing, and ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/of evil-speaking in general.htm

The Fatherhood of God
... own and hell he never can enter, that man is capable of virtue ... and is there music
that ear hath not heard ... I should have a very great difficulty in trying to make ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the fatherhood of god.htm

Man Now Deprived of Freedom of Will, and Miserably Enslaved.
... declared, that "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither ... we attribute to it an acuteness
capable of penetrating ... But since the sinner, when trying to evade the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 2 man now deprived.htm

Chapter iv
... a sinful man of himself is readily capable of mastering ... mercy first takes the sinner
to account, trying to rouse ... my voice, Ye wives of Lamech, give ear unto my ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iv.htm

Book Twelve the Mode of Creation and the Truth of Scripture. ...
... "Again, he tells me in my inner ear that the ... the unformed beginning of things, the
matter capable of receiving ... Indeed, all of us who read are trying to trace ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book twelve the mode of.htm

Heaven's Nurse Children
... of Jesus Christ, but as they were not capable of reading ... represented to the eye as
well as spoken to the ear. ... As long as we are trying to support ourselves in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/heavens nurse children.htm

The English-Speaking Peoples: Action and Reaction
... of the law in our stead: 'They are capable, one and ... a clear and pure voice which,
for my ear at any ... conclusion is sound, that it is the more trying that his ...
/.../chapter vi the english-speaking peoples .htm

Chapter i
... There was no trying and testing after the fashion of toiling men. ... The construction
of the first clause is marked by a slightly unusual order of words. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter i.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... it were of some future too sublime for mortal words. ... low, I know not what into my
ear, Of his ... more complex development than the Stoic, less capable perhaps of ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer" (Psalm 17:4).
Therefore Solomon saith, "My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm