While the information age is well on its go and we are getting bombarded with it via various means like video, text and audio. Still retention is a problem in education and in everyday life with people of all ages. Forgetfulness, can come due to brain illness, or due to normal everyday problems. For example, transience where you forget things over time, or Absentmindedness when you do not pay close attention to what is being presented. Then there is blocking where you have the answer in the tip of your tongue, but can’t articulated and Bias which because of your perception belief, experience and prior knowledge of something you have difficulties recalling something (Forgetfulness). Forgetfulness affects what God is going to do in our lives. David questions God’s wonders and righteousness on our memory as a place of forgetfulness (ps88:12). Luke reminds us that we should not be forgetful of doing good because that pleases God (Heb13:16). Jesus mentions the idea of a person who has ears to hear several times in the New Testament like in the parable of the sower Luke 8:8.
Luke 8:11-15
11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
The parable of the sower is about listening to God’s word and things that affect its progress. Jesus speaks to the people most of the time in parables and was expecting his disciples to already be able to understand them; since they were most of the time with him. Jesus explains the parable depicting four types of listeners. The first type of listener is similar to the seed that fell near the way side of which as soon as they hear the word the devil took it away; Absentmindedness (v15). Now, how does the devil takes away the word from our minds? Distractions is one of the tools Satan uses to take way the word from our minds. Like it happened to Martha while she was distracted serving people forgot to take part of the most important thing which was the word that Jesus was sharing (Lk10:40). Those whom the word fell on like the rocky road received the word with gladness and lasted until they were tested, but because they are transience did not have any roots they fell away; we need to be rooted in Christ (Col2:7). The word that fell on thorns is compared to those who listen to the word, but because of their bias and cares of life allow it to be choked and do not grow. Last, the seed that landed on good ground they hear the word and no matter what they will make it grow.