There’s a reason why we have two ears | Faith

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As this Coronavirus pandemic continues to rage across our globe, we have been warned by many experts in many ways what mandatory precautions should be taken. Many of us are trying to the very best of our ability to listen and comply, as some others are following business as usual. Some are kicking it high at the beaches, some are still partying in large groups, and some are still gathering other places in groups larger than ten.

What will it take for some of us to see that this virus is “no joke”? Stay home! If you don’t need to be outside of your home for a necessity, then please remain inside your home.

I am sure that we all can find many things to keep us busy during this time of social distancing. My husband and I love the beach and would love nothing more than taking a trip to Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head. Are we going? Absolutely not! We will listen to the experts and what the governor has ordered. The risks are too high, so respecting authority should be at an all-time high right now!

There’s a reason why we have two ears. Of course, there are scientific reasons, but I want to focus on the common sense and Biblical reasons. You may have been told as a child that we have two ears and one mouth because we’re supposed to listen twice as much as we talk. Having two working ears inclines us to be able to hear more distinctly and clearly.

Although we may hear well, some of us do not listen well. There is a difference. When you listen better, your decision-making is wiser. When you choose only to hear, you tend to dissect the information, listen to what you want, and act upon that.

Therefore, what does the Word say about listening? All of the scriptures to follow come from the English Standard Version (ESV) translation:

 Malachi 2:2 — “If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.”

 Proverbs 19:20 — “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”

 Proverbs 18:13 — “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”

 Proverbs 1:33 — “But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

 Proverbs 18:2 — “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”

 Mark 9:7 — “And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him.’”

 Jeremiah 26:3-6 — “It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the disaster that I intend to do to them because of their evil deeds. You shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law that I have set before you, and to listen to the words of my servants the prophets whom I send to you urgently, though you have not listened, then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth.’”

There you have it — scriptural background about the benefits of listening and the disaster that can come about by refusing to listen. The good Lord is speaking to us loudly and clearly. Throughout this pandemic, too many are of the attitude, “Nobody is going to tell me what to do!”

So many young people feel that they are invincible. Sometimes, when some of us choose to finally listen to authority, it is usually too late. Don’t be a statistic because you refused to listen. Also, please don’t be the cause for the authorities to order a mandatory shutdown of everything!

My sisters and brothers in Christ, heed instruction in this pandemic in order to remain safe. In other words, be a part of the solution, not the problem. Trust God and know that trouble doesn’t last always. If we all just do our part, God will do the rest and will heal our land.

Have a wonderfully blessed and safe week, and never leave home without Him!

(Anna Bright is a minister and educator in Walterboro. She can be reached at abrightcolumn@lowcountry.com)