The Oxford dictionary defines ‘seeking’ as… “Attempt to find something.”

Here’s a question for you: What are you seeking in life? Is it a satisfying relationship? Is it an early retirement? Is it paying off the house? Is it a satisfying job?

Whatever you are seeking in life, having a right understanding is necessary for you to find it. How does someone have a right understanding? Jesus said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them” (Mk. 4:23-25).

Jesus says that anyone with ears should listen and understand. Listen to whom?… LISTEN TO HIM! Audio Bibles are a great way to listen to God. Reading Scripture for yourself is better. The Mark

chapter four passage says, “The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given.”  

So, we listen to Jesus through reading Scripture. And our listening to Jesus gives us understanding. Right understanding enables us to succeed in that which we are seeking.

There are many things that need to be read each day. My reading ability was not good. In primary school I use to attend one-on-one reading classes with the librarian. In high school they keep you back a level so you are with others of the same ability. When it came to reading, I felt a bit of a dummy.

When I started work as a chef, I had to read recipes and cookbooks, I was slow. I would read a recipe over and over to ensure I had it right. When I got married, we were given a devotional for couples. My wife was a great reader, but doing GOD-time together didn’t seem so important to her so I, being the man of the house, tried to lead the way. But my poor reading frustrated her and made her even less interested.

I presently read my Bible aloud. Hearing what I am reading is better than reading quietly. I don’t skip over words. I hang on every word that comes from my lips and ponder it’s meaning. This extends my devotional time, but I have a stronger connection with what I’m reading. I feel closer to God!

Examining more closely Mark 4:23-24:

• Verse 23… Jesus says, “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.” The meaning of ‘heed’ is to pay careful attention to the advice or warning given. Then…

• Verse 24… Jesus says, “Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides.”

Paying attention to what Jesus says is the key to succeeding in our seeking. Jesus says, “By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides.”

So, the standard of our study… the effort we make in studying God’s word determines the degree of understanding the Lord gives to aid our seeking after a life that satisfies.

Ways in which we respond to situations shows the level of our godly wisdom. We don’t need to tell anyone how much Godly wisdom we have, our ACTIONS show it.

In the GOOD NEWS translation, “your own standard of measurement” reads a little different. It talks about; The Same rules you use to judge others will be used by God to judge you – but with even greater severity.

This word to judge is the measurement… It is how we think or measure where we, I, or someone else is at.

• Luke says in his Gospel account, “Do not judge [others self-righteously], and you will not be judged; do not condemn [others when you are guilty and unrepentant], and you will not be condemned [for your hypocrisy]; pardon [others when they truly repent and change], and you will be pardoned [when you truly repent and change]” (6:37 AMP).

When you seek after God, how deep do you delve? Are you willing to step it up to make a necessary change? How much time do you give to seeking Him? What do you consider a reasonable measure of time and effort?

I heard a great analogy the other day by Martin Luther, He said, “Studying the Bible is like picking apples.”

“At first, we shake the trunk, you don’t get much happening as it’s well rooted and solid. Then when you shake the limb you might get a bit of movement, but no apples. Then you shake the branch–you get more movement and you may even get an apple. Then you shake the twigs on the end of the branch… there may be apples that will fall. But then if you lift the leaves (yes it takes more effort and more time) to look under each leaf you will find more apples.”

Repeating what Mark recorded: Jesus said, “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.” Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement, it will be measured to you and more will be given to you besides (4:23-24). The word ‘besides’ sounded odd to me until I read it over and over again. I came to the conclusion that it means ‘on top’ of what you already have. GOD is so GOOD!

Your understanding of Scripture will naturally vary from others as at any time we are at different stages in our walk with God and where our minds are at in the circumstances of life.

This is the awesome thing about God’s word… because it is alive, it is God breathed and with the help of the Holy Spirit, passages of Scripture will fit with where we are at exactly with our understanding. So, I urge you to submerse yourself in reading the word of God. Make time because it will bring you closer to Him.

Then there is the extent of effort you put into your study of God’s word… The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given. Again, the more effort you put into understanding God’s word; more understanding will be given to you. Just like looking under each leaf for apples, the more effort you make, the bigger the reward… “The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given – and you will receive even more” (v. 24).

The promise of receiving more understanding is stated twice by Jesus (verses 24 and 25), so it must be important. The more teachable we are, the more understanding will be given.

So, with increasing levels of understanding we will grow and benefit more. When we study Spiritual truth and then apply it with our lives, we will function in life according to God’s wisdom… in our interactions with others and our decision making. Blessings will flow from God’s wisdom, As we practice God’s wisdom with boldness, more understanding will be given to us.

For 30 years I fluffed around in my faith, racing through my daily devotions so I could hurry up to do something else… skimming over Gods word. For most of the 30 years I wondered when God would use me to speak into someone else’s life. But how could I expect God to trust me with something as precious as a human soul when I was always in a rush. Not to mention that I rarely mentioned my knowledge of Him to anyone. So why would God use me.

I have an answer to that question. At the end of verse 25, we read, “for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

Friends, if you are too busy and you don’t have that yearning for God’s truth… If other things in life are taking a higher priority than God then here is the warning Jesus gives, even what you have will be taken away!

If we don’t seek, if we don’t heed, if we don’t pay attention to the word of God… to His truth… if our faith in Him is wanting… if our desire to come to Him is lacking… if we say ‘not yet, I’m busy,’ then God will not send any blessings our way.

Indeed, God will take even what little understanding we have.  So, seek after God through investigating the truths of the Bible, and heed His words. Pay close attention to what the Spirit of God reveals to you. Stay teachable as you seek!

Gordon Simmul
August, 2023