The gift of seeing and listening
Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right. Ears to hear and eyes to see—both are gifts from the Lord. Proverbs 20:11-12
From the text, the emphasis is on conduct as the test of character. The test of character is not just for adults for it includes young people for they too could make themselves known by their acts. They too are capable of expressing their emotions and deep thoughts. In their fragile inner being, they are also susceptible to hurts. Everyone show what they are by what they do; whether what they do is clean and upright. This is why our senses should be used for their proper purpose. “Ears to hear and eyes to see—both are gifts from the Lord.” Simply put, the Lord is the creator of the human senses of sight and hearing. But this statement is probably intended to mean more, with sight and hearing standing for all our senses. What we listen to and what we look at should be right and pleasing to the Lord. The Lord has made them both. We should use the senses God gave us looking deeply in the things of life rather than make superficial evaluations. Let us also have a clear understanding that God made the eyes and ears, therefore He is the infallible judge. No one can deceive Him with appearances. This is why our Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given” (Luke 8:18). In another occasion, the Lord Jesus Christ stressed the importance of listening to His Word and applying it in one’s life. “I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built” (Luke 6:47-48). We dare not ignore God or His gift of our senses. Our eternal future is affected by our response to what we see and hear from God.
Blessings
