EPHPHATHA
“And they bring unto him one that was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, EPHPHATHA, that is, BE OPENED.
And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plain” (Mark 7:32 - 35)
When one of the senses fails, it causes great deprivation and exposes the person suffering from it to the pity of his fellows; but what wretchedness must ensue if all fail?
This man lived in isolation—in seclusion. He lived entirely in his own world—a soundless world. He was both deaf and partially mute, which means he was cut off from communication on both ends. He had heard nothing. He could say nothing. His world was a world of silence.
In his world of silence, he must have made up his own ideas about everything in life. He could not understand the ideas of the world. And he interpreted everything according to his own inner way of thinking—a way of thinking entirely based on his own understanding of life and the world.
He must have also understood God in his own way, which may be vague and skewed. Even if he wanted to talk to God, he did not know what to say and couldn’t ask for spiritual help. He was helpless. No one could help him except God.
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The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a help meet for him" (Genesis 2:18); this is God’s desire for him and for all that are in this condition. "He sits alone and keeps silence" (Lamentations 3:28). But "for Zion’s sake, God will not keep silent, nor keep quiet for Jerusalem’s sake, until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, and her salvation like a torch that is burning" (Isaiah 62:1). What a great hope! Jesus sighed and said to him, "EPHPHATHA." Immediately, he was rescued from the soundless state and brought to a world of beautiful sound. "And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plain." (Mark 7:35)
We shall study this theme—"EPHPHATHA"—extensively in a series of five topics:
1. SPIRITUAL DEAFNESS.
2. SPIRITUAL DUMBNESS.
3. OPEN ALL GATES.
4. LOOSENED.
5. SPEAK PLAINLY.
1. SPIRITUAL DEAFNESS.
" Who is blind but my servant? Or who is as deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is as blind as he who is at peace and as blind as the LORD's servant? " (Isaiah 42:19)
The man's deafness was absolute; he could hear nothing. This greatly limited him, especially in those days when sign language and other communication aids did not exist as prominently as they do today. Which technology will aid the spiritually deaf messenger of God? (Isaiah 42:19); who has been sent to the people, rather he is engulfed in debauchery and sin. He had seen the light of the gospel and was supposed to reflect this light unto others, but he was deaf-darkened and couldn’t hear from God, thereby leading the pasture astray and causing chaos in the church. "Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture, saith the Lord." (Jeremiah 23:1). God will bring relief to His church by raising shepherds whose ears are already open. They will hear from Him and feed the sheep with the truth till they lead them to the promised land (Jeremiah 23:4).
Hearing and balance are the two major functions of the ear.
BALANCE
Do you know that the organ of balance (the vestibular system) is found inside the inner ear? It detects acceleration and is responsible for a specific direction of head movement. Information coming from the vestibular system is processed in the brain and then sent on to other organs that need this information, such as the eyes, joints, or muscles. This allows us to keep our balance and know what position our body is in. (Source: IQWiG (Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care)).
When we listen to God’s voice, He orders our steps (Psalm 37:23) and makes us walk on our high places (Habakkuk 3:19). Our spiritual ears keep our balance and help us not fall into the trap set by the evil ones. Spiritually deaf and wicked people usually fall into snares and traps because there is no divine voice guiding them, "For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare" (Job 18:8).
When we hear God’s voice, our song will be, "Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity." Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst I withal escape. " (Psalm 141:9–10)
HEARING
There is a spiritual ear through which we hear the gentle whispers of the Spirit, which frequently come to us internally, without the medium of sounds that can affect the ear. Blessed are those who have an ear that the Lord has purified, cleansed, and opened so that it can hear the divine call; but there is no blessing for the Christian whose spiritual ears are not active.
One tragedy that can happen to a man or woman is for him or her to lose the signal of heaven. God is a communicator. He says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come into him, and I will sup with him and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).
He communicates his purpose so that we can know his next move. He gives divine instruction so that we can know which way to go. "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)
If we really want to succeed in our ministry, we must learn to hear God’s voice; it deepens our relationship with God, just like with these great men in the Bible: Abraham (Genesis 26:5), Noah (Genesis 6:22), and Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-13).
Don’t embark on any duty until you get a clear instruction from our Master Jesus, to whom we render service. We are always available to attend to all church duties, but not available to God’s word. Please repent.
He speaks with a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12) to guide us in our duty, but we prefer to use our selfish method; we do it in our own way, not in God’s way (Isaiah 55:8-9) and expect a blessing from God? When you buy a television set, there’s a manufacturers’ user manual that comes with it, to guide you in the installation process and in usage as well. If we disregard the manual, the TV may become faulty. Are we going to blame the manufacturer for the fault?
Remember when Jesus visited Martha in her house? Her sister, Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet to hear His word while Martha was busy in the kitchen trying to prepare the best delicacy for Jesus. She complained that Mary wasn’t helping her, "and Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; but one thing is necessary, and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:38–42)
When the servants of God mount the pulpit to share God’s word, let’s settle down, hear the divine message, and afterwards, we can proceed to do other duties. "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths," God says before anything else.(Proverbs 3:6)
THE BENEFITS OF HEARING GOD'S VOICE
1. WE WILL LIVE BY GOD'S STANDARD.
"If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalms 11:3). How can we serve God faithfully with spiritual deafness? Our walk with God must be built on a firm foundation of holiness. When we hear His voice clearly, it will set us apart from the things of the world and focus our attention on Him (1 Peter 1:15) "and be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”. (Romans 12:2)
Holiness is a standard by which God has called you to live. First and foremost, He wants you to measure everything in your life by His standards as outlined in the Word. God’s standard today is the same as it has ever been, without holiness no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14);” because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy. (1Peter 1:16)
2. WE WILL BE CONNECTED TO THE REAL SOURCE - GOD.
God is the source of everything in heaven and on earth. He has specific messages for His children through His ministers and pastors; if they refuse to hear His voice, it will affect the productivity of the church. When we hear God’s voice regularly and don’t turn deaf ears to his instructions, our flocks will be well fed (1 Peter 5:2-4). We will surely be blessed when we hope and trust God as our only source. We shall be like a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaves shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, nor cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
On the other hand, however, whose standard do you use to deliver God’s word to the people? Don’t turn deaf ears to God’s standard. "But the Comforter, who is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26). Let us make him our source and depend on him to get real-time messages for his people. The Holy Spirit will give us the raw data from Heaven’s hard disk drive, which will be revealed to God’s children here on earth.
Recognize God as your source. Everything else is a resource provided by God (Reference-www.northstar.church). ). "For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen". (Romans 11:36)
3. DIVINE GUIDANCE
We are already in the End times; the signs are being revealed daily through so many events happening around the world. God want to guide us through this perilous and difficult times (2 Timothy 3:1), bless (James 1:12) and give us a haven (Deuteronomy 31:6). When we listen to His voice, He gives us the information that is not available to the public with specific instructions, same way that He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. (Psalm 103:7). What a great Privilege!
Let us retrace our steps and turn our hearts and ears to the voice of our maker. Remember your first love when you heard the call to salvation and the light of the truth shone on you; the determination you had to conquer the world for Christ and reach the unreached for salvation; and your reliance on His voice for daily guidance.
God said, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” (Revelation 2:4-5)
4. WE WILL NOT BE DECEIVED.
Satan is deceiving the world (Revelation 12:9) because he knows that his time is short (Revelation 12:12), and he disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). For Jesus Christ said, "For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and they shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matthew 24:24).
Brethren, God speaks to us daily to deliver His church from all satanic deception, and He gave a clear command to us, "Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee; be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. For behold, I have fortified thee today with an iron pillar and brasen walls against the entire land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes of Judah, against the priests of Judah, and against the people of the land. And they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against you; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee. " (Jeremiah 1:17-19)
Many Christians are confused, moving from pillar to post, being deceived by the devil, the father of all lies (John 8:44). "Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils" (1 Peter 4:1). We need to stand firm as good soldiers of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3) and connect our ears to the voice of truth that can detect and deliver us from these deceptions.
EPHPHATHA – Be opened!
Be open to stand against the doctrines of Balaam and Nicolaitanes, those doctrines that Jesus hates. " (Revelation 2:14-15); they have polluted our churches. God wants to cleanse His sanctuary (Daniel 8:14) so "that he might present it to himself as a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish". (Ephesians 5:27)
Thus says the Lord of Hosts, “Let no man deceive you by any means (2 Thessalonians 2:3): listen to my voice (John 10:27); behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you”. (Revelations 3:9)
5. DIVINE DIRECTION
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; and your young men shall see visions; and your old men shall dream dreams. " (Acts 2:17). Blessed are the prophets, the seers, the dreamers, for God has revealed hidden things to them (Jeremiah 33:3); what about the purpose of the vision? We need to "seek the Lord and his strength" (Psalm 105:4) for clear direction and clarity, "For the vision is yet for an appointed time (Habakkuk 2:3)".
Ephphatha—Be Open to Divine Purpose. Don’t be over excited about revealing the visions. Consult with the God that reveals the deep and secret things (Daniel 2:22), whose judgment and decisions are unsearchable (Romans 11:33). Listen to that still small voice and wait upon the Lord for His plans, purpose, and timing of the vision, dream, and prophecy that He gave you, so that He can perform it for you. (Psalm 57:2). "Put your trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5)
In his vision of the end times, Daniel was told to shut up the words and seal the book (Daniel 12:4), for the words were closed up and sealed till the time of the end (Daniel 12:9), while John was told not to seal the sayings of the prophecy of that book, for the time is at hand (Revelation 22:10).
“Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places” (Psalm 135:6).
Ephphatha – Be Open to Divine interpretation and meaning of the dreams and visions. Daniel urged his companion to desire God’s mercies on King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2:18); Also when he had the vision of a ram and a goat (Daniel 8:1-14), he sought for the meaning of the vision (Daniel 8:15) and listened attentively to the interpretation of the vision (Daniel 8:18-27).
Ephphatha – Be Open to receive Divinely Inspired Sermons. God has specific messages for His children based on their situations, issues, and future promises. We need to connect to God’s grace to receive such messages so that God can be glorified in our lives. "A man can receive nothing, except it be given to him from heaven." (John 3:27)
Ephphatha—Be open to Divine Guidance. Young ministers, please wait and tarry for a while. Seek God in prayer and fasting to receive your divine assignment. God may have endowed you with great gifts, and you can’t wait to glorify God in your gifting, but He can only take the glory when we profit with our gifts-"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." (1 Corinthians 12:7)"Wisdom is profitable to direct" (Ecclesiastes 10:10); "Every man's way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord considers the hearts."(Proverbs 21:2)
Ephphatha – Be Open to Divine Placement. If God directs you to a particular location to preach or serve the church, please adhere to it. Do not turn deaf ears to God’s voice. Obeying is better than sacrificing (1 Samuel 15:22).
The Holy Spirit forbade Paul from preaching the word in Asia; after they arrived in Mysia, they sought to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit forbade them (Acts 16:6-7); his will was overruled by the Holy Spirit, but he was later allowed to preach in Ephesus for a short time (Acts 18:18-21).
God told Jonah, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me but Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD “(JONAH 1:2-3), He suffered the consequence, “Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” (Jonah 1:17) but he repented “and the LORD spoke unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.” (Jonah 2:10)
"And in that day, the deaf shall hear the words of the book (Isaiah 29:18).
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God "(Revelation 2:7).
CONCLUSION
The cure for our deafness is not to hear but to be open. Hearing follows openness. "Ephphatha." That’s what Jesus told the deaf man. He didn’t say, "Now hear!" He said, "‘Ephphatha,’ that is, ‘Be open.’" He says the same thing to you and me. Jesus is always speaking, "Ephphatha," to the closed parts of our lives.
Heaven is sending signals that only our spiritual ears can decode. Transmit the messages and let the church of God march on.
"Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18). The gates of spiritual deafness shall not prevail against the church in Jesus' name, Amen.
Heavenly Father, your word says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, nor shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 10:27). Please command our spiritual ears to be widely opened so that we can hear your voice. Your voice will protect our hearts from all satanic deception and point us in the right direction on our Christian journey. Teach us to be holy and depend on you as our only source, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:12-14).
James Dina
james@mountzionblog.org
29th December 2021
https://mountzionblog.org/spiritual-deafness/
REFERENCES
1. Living by God’s standard by Taffi L. Dollar
2. God’s standard of holiness by Ernest Angley
3. The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Healing a Deaf-Mute (Part One) by Martin G. Collins
4. Mike Marsh Openness cures deafness. (https://interruptingthesilence.com/2012/09/09/openness-cures-deafness/)
5. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/isaiah/42/htm
6; http://northstar.church/recognize-God-as-your-source-everything-else-is-a-resource-provided-by-God/
7. EPHPHATHA! BE OPENED! By Mark Moon.
8. The Benefits and Danger of Not Hearing From God (David Imafidon)
9. How does our sense of balance work? (Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care)
10. Men without Heart, sight, or Hearing” by CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON
