Matthew 15:10 

“When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, ‘Hear and understand:’ ”

The crowds were prone to listen but not understand. Religious people are quick to hear the words spoken, but not chew those words into understanding. The fruitfulness of the Word of God in the life of Man is in his internalizing it, through understanding.

So, don’t be quick to hear and listen, but slow down enough to digest it through understanding. Don’t set for yourself a target to listen to much or read much, but set for yourself the goal of understanding and retaining much of what you have heard and read. Jesus did not permit the crowd just to take their miracles and wander off. In this incident, Jesus needed them to understand because only the understanding can reproduce truth. Once truth has been internalized through understanding, after that, truth can be reproduced.

“Jesus, may I learn to internalize Your Words to me. Help me digest Your instructions, giving it deep roots inside my spirit-man. This I pray in Your name. Amen.”