Understanding Hebrews 5:11 and Sincere Faith in Everyday Terms
What Does “Dull of Hearing” Mean?
In simple terms, being “dull of hearing” isn’t about your ears—it’s about your heart and your attitude toward spiritual things. This phrase comes from Hebrews 5:11 in the Bible, where the writer is trying to explain some deep, important truths to readers but realizes that they’re not ready to understand. Why? Because they’re spiritually sluggish, lazy, or just not paying attention.
The original Greek word used for “dull” here is nōthroi, which means lazy, slow, or sluggish. Imagine a student in class who isn’t listening, doodling on their paper, and never asks questions. No matter how good the teacher is, that student won’t learn much. The same thing happens in church or when reading the Bible: if people aren’t interested or engaged, spiritual truths just fly right over their heads.
How Does This Affect People in Church Today?
Think of a church where people show up every Sunday, sing the songs, listen to the sermon—but walk away unchanged, with no deeper understanding or growth. This isn’t just about others; it’s something anyone can fall into, even if they have faith. Spiritual sluggishness can creep in quietly, making it harder and harder for us to grasp new, deeper truths about God and life.
· Stuck on the Basics: People who are “dull of hearing” often need to be reminded of the same basic lessons over and over. They never move on to the “meatier” or more challenging parts of faith—like understanding how to love others deeply, forgive, or wrestle with tough questions about God.
· Lack of Discernment: This sluggishness can mean we’re not good at telling right from wrong. If we’re not paying close attention, we might fall for half-truths or teachings that sound nice but aren’t actually true. The Bible warns that this makes us vulnerable to temptation and false ideas.
· Slow Spiritual Growth: Like a plant that doesn’t get enough sunlight or water, a dull hearer’s faith doesn’t grow strong. Worship, prayer, and Bible reading become habits rather than sources of life, and faith stays shallow.
“Drawing Near with Mouth, But Not Heart”
There’s another phrase that describes a similar problem: “draw near with their mouth, but their hearts are far away.” This isn’t just about what we say or do outwardly, it’s about whether our words match what’s truly in our hearts.
The Bible talks about this in both the Old and New Testaments. In Isaiah, God criticizes people for honoring Him with their lips while their hearts aren’t really in it. Jesus repeats this same message in the New Testament when He rebukes the Pharisees—religious leaders who followed all the rituals but missed the point of loving God and people sincerely.
In modern terms, it’s like going through the motions of faith without really caring or believing. You might sing hymns, say prayers, or listen to sermons, but if your heart isn’t engaged, it’s just empty noise. True faith is about a genuine relationship with God, not just checking religious boxes.
Why Does This Matter?
Because faith is meant to be alive, growing, and changing us from the inside out. When we’re dull of hearing or going through the motions, we miss out on the richness and sweetness of knowing God. The Bible describes Christian experience as tasting the goodness and love of Christ—a satisfaction so deep that words can’t express it.
· Missed Opportunities: When we’re not attentive, we don’t notice ways God is working in our lives. We can miss out on peace, guidance, and comfort that comes from a closer walk with Him.
· Superficial Worship: Worship that only comes from the mouth doesn’t please God and doesn’t nourish us. The Bible warns that “in vain do they worship me”—outward religion without inward change is empty and useless.
· Risk to Salvation: The writer of Hebrews is so concerned about dullness of hearing because it puts our spiritual health at risk. If we constantly ignore or tune out God’s message, our faith can stagnate, weaken, or even fade.
Why Do People Become Dull of Hearing?
Several reasons can cause spiritual sluggishness:
· Routine and Tradition: Repeating the same religious practices over and over can become mechanical, leading people to stop thinking deeply about what those rituals mean.
· Distractions and Busyness: Modern life is full of noise—phones, work, entertainment. It’s easy to get so caught up in daily life that we stop listening to spiritual truths.
· Fear of Change: Sometimes, deeper spiritual truths challenge us to change our ways or rethink old ideas. That can be uncomfortable, so we shy away from them.
· Lack of Effort: Engaging with faith isn’t always easy; it takes effort and discipline to read, pray, and reflect. Without intentional action, spiritual growth stalls.
What Can We Do About It?
The good news is that spiritual sluggishness isn’t permanent—it can be overcome! Here are some practical steps:
· Be Honest: The first step is admitting when we’re just “going through the motions.” God values honesty and meets us where we are.
· Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to dig deeper into faith—ask questions, wrestle with doubts, and seek out answers in community or through study.
· Stay Engaged: Treat worship, prayer, and Bible reading as invitations for real connection, not just chores. Look for fresh ways to encounter God—music, art, nature, or conversation with others.
· Guard Against Hypocrisy: Make sure your words and actions match your inner beliefs. If you’re struggling to care, ask God to renew your heart and help you find authentic faith.
· Trust God’s Grace: The Bible says that God’s grace covers our weaknesses. Even when we’re sluggish, God patiently calls us back into relationship and growth.
Adding to God’s Laws: Why It’s Dangerous
In Matthew 15:1-9, Jesus warns against adding human traditions to God’s laws. The Pharisees made up new rules and practices, thinking they were helping people be more faithful. But in reality, these additions just made it harder to obey God and distracted people from what really mattered.
For example, they twisted the command to honor parents by inventing a loophole: claiming money was dedicated to the temple so they didn’t have to help their parents. Jesus pointed out that this “improvement” actually led them to disobey God’s true command.
The lesson? We shouldn’t try to improve or complicate the message of the Bible. God’s wisdom is complete, and His word is enough. When we add our own rules, we risk making faith into a burden and missing the heart of God’s message—love, mercy, and justice.
Conclusion: Faith That’s Alive
Being “dull of hearing” is a warning sign, but it’s also an invitation to wake up to a more vibrant, genuine faith. God desires worship from the heart, not just empty rituals or words. He calls us to listen carefully, seek understanding, and grow in wisdom and love.
In practical terms: Pay attention to where you might be spiritually sluggish. Renew your commitment to genuine faith—one that goes beyond outward appearances to a thriving relationship with God. The church, and each individual in it, is meant to be alive, awake, and continually growing in grace.
True worship isn’t just heard—it’s felt, lived, and shared. Let’s not settle for dullness or routine; let’s seek a faith that is real, deep, and life-changing.
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