Hear no Evil
Monkey Business • Sermon • Submitted
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· 97 viewsWhat does it mean to "hear no evil?" In this message, we will look at the difference between hearing and listening and how we are to live it in our ordinary lives.
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Three monkeys covering eyes, mouth, and ears with their hands are the most likely known symbols of Kōshin faith, an obsolete Japanese folk religion with Chinese Taoism origins and ancient Shinto influence.
Ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius quote: "Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety."
Mizaru, (don't see) who sees no evil, covering his eyes
Kikazaru, (don't hear) who hears no evil, covering his ears and
Iwazaru, (don't speak) who speaks no evil, covering his mouth
In Japan, the proverb is simply regarded as a Japanese Golden Rule. It addresses how we should live in a corrupt world and what we should do when confronted with evil.
But in the West, when we hear about the ancient proverb, we believe it teaches that we are only to ignore immoral and wicked actions. Yet, there is an element in truth in which we should distance ourselves from evil. However, God never instructed his disciples to ignore it. Indeed, God did not turn a blind eye to immorality and wickedness. He confronted it in the flesh through the incarnation and subdued the power of darkness by his death and resurrection.
But we are not Jesus Christ; we are incapable of overcoming evil as our savior did. But with the loving help of our heavenly Father, the mightly savior Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians can live a life as one of the wise monkeys. So here is my question today. Do you want to be a wise monkey or a dump ape?
Good, so we are looking at one of our wise monkeys. We are looking at Kikazaru. The one who covers his ears whenever evil is nearby. But we know not everyone is a Kikazaru monkey. People hear evil, and then it influences them from the outside until the seed is planted within their soul.
Psalm 1:1 (ESV)
The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked
1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
The logical progression of immorality and wickedness occurs fainty as a stranger passing on through their day and being caught up in the degenerate words. Their evil speech sinks into their hearts, and then rather than closing the ears (Kikazaru), they begin to participate and then become complicit and then remain with them.
The enemy's voice lures anyone in who is willing to listen—illustration from the Oddessy.
No seaman ever sailed his black ship past this spot without listening to the honey-sweet tones that flow from our lips and no one who has listened has not been delighted and gone on his way a wiser man. (The Sirens, Odyssey 12:186-190)
The Sirens bewitch everybody who approaches them. There is no homecoming for the man who draws near them unawares...For with their high clear song the Sirens bewitch him, as they sit there in a meadow piled high with the mouldering skeletons of men, whose withered skin still hangs upon their bones. (The advice of Circe, Odyssey, 12:39-47)
When you give ear to evil, you might be tempted into its trap unless you're prepared. Odysseus resisted the sirens' call by having his fellow sailors tie him to the mast. It's helpful to close your ears when you have a more spiritually robust friend whenever you hear the devil's ideas.
This is why in the Garden of Eden, the voice wasn't the Greek mythological gods but the voice of a crafty serpent who spoke the first lie into existence. Speaking to Eve, eat of the fruit; surely you will not die.
Indeed, if Adam and Eve had known of this proverb, perhaps humanity's history would be different. But did not walk away, as the blessed man does. Instead, they both stayed with the snake and heard the lies of the devil, and eventually gave in.
We face the problem for ourselves, is it even possible to be a Kikazaru—someone who can close their ears to evil. The answer is yes. There is a way of rejecting evil and turning towards the good. It is by our response, will only hear evil, or will I listen to it.
Hearing is passive; listening is active. A better idea of Kikazaru to our lives is not to listen to evil. Not fail for lies of the world to become our own gods or follow our own passion outside of God's perfect will.
To confront the voice of immortality and wickedness, we must be tied down by another friend who will help us overcome temptations. We need to hear and listen to the voice that is shouting from heaven. We cannot simply be deaf but must listen to the one who loves us. Our ears must be open to the calling of God.
Matthew 11:15 (ESV)
15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Those who are willing to listen, let your hearts be ready to hear Christ's voice.
Compared to those who reject the calling of God.
Hebrews 3:15 (ESV)
15 As it is said,
"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."
This then means this we have a choice to either listen to evil or God in this life. A Christian who rejects and overcomes evil does not ignore it but fights it with God's powerful word.
The bible gives us an example of what it looks like to resists the devil's words by the story of the temptations in the wilderness. Jesus was able to overcome his suggestions; how come? Because he was listening to the voice of his Father. Jesus wasn't swayed by the pressure, for his love for God was more significant than the devil's influence. But Jesus didn't get to the place where he could close his ears to evil overnight. He began his spiritual disciplines in the wilderness. He was sitting not in the seat of scoffers but sitting on a rock in isolation, spending time with God.
We can only hear the voice of God when we do two things: read the words of God found in our bibles or sit in quietness and wait for God to speak to us in a way that he can only do. When we listen to the voice of God, we will then have the power to fight. We can become a Kikazaru.
What should I do and how to do it? Read one chapter of the bible a day, and it will change your life; it is the standard way of God to speak to his people. In meditation, we do not empty ourselves, but we reflect over what God has said in his word, and we let God speak to us, meditating over the words or thoughts.
Jesus said,
John 10:27 (ESV)
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Who you listen to determine, who you belong too.
A Kikazaru life is filled with closing our ears to evil but listening to God as our savior and friend.
My friends and I did nursing home ministry once a week, and a song that reflects the idea of listening to Gods' call, that song is called "In the Garden."
I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain: And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.