In these verses, Jesus was responding to the questioning of the Pharisees and scribes. Most of this group were only listening to his words in an effort to catch him making a mistake. However, Jesus, being God in the flesh, shared biblical principles with them that they already knew. There was one scribe who stood out. He was actively listening and analyzing Jesus' words so much that Jesus said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." This meant that the scribe was grasping and understanding Jesus' teachings, unlike the others who were just listening to his words without deeper understanding.

Today, I encourage you to use the same approach when listening to what your friends are saying about what's happening in the world. Actively listen, analyze what they're saying, and apply God's word to it. By doing so, you can align yourself with God's teachings and gain a better understanding of the world without being part of it.