Not deaf. Dull. Hearing something but not being able to make out what is being said. Hearing but not getting the message.

“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing” (Hebrews 5:11).

What would make my hearing dull when I read the Word or hear it taught?

Not enough interest. Not enough attention. Distraction by “more important” things — like bills to be paid, homework to be done, problems to be solved, games to be played, stories to be told, offenses to be fed, evil surmisings to be entertained, criticism to be nourished.

Here is my translation of that part of my Spanish Bible: “you have made yourselves slow to hear.”

My dullness of hearing is . . . my choice . . . the result of my actions!

I must make a different choice!

Some folks speak of a disconnect between spirituality and real living.

I suppose they mean that some people’s faith doesn’t affect how they live.

Or maybe they mean that their knowledge of truth doesn’t make any difference in how they live.

Whatever they mean, I thought of it when I read Hebrews 4:2 this morning:

“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”

How well does faith mix with the Gospel in my life?

Just how much does the Word profit me?

May God give me faith in His Word and make me faithful to His Word.