“Do
not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it
says.” James
1:22
When you listen to something that is said, do you truly hear
it or does it go in one ear and out the other? How many of us can remember what
yesterday’s sermon was about? We are a
preoccupied generation that has way too much going on in our lives to focus on
any one thing. God created for six days
and on the seventh day rested. We go go
go 24-7 as if it were required of us.
We’ve forgotten how to relax.
We’ve lost our ability to concentrate on those things that should matter
most to us.
Listening and hearing are two distinctly different
actions. We can listen to someone talk
all day long yet not hear one thing they’re saying. And if we do
hear them what impact have their words had on our life? “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged
sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it
judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Spiritual surgery is necessary to purge
ungodly behavior from us. Up until our
conversion that behavior enjoyed a healthy life within our psyche, making us
who we were at the time. Once forgiven
our old life was supposed to die so that a new life could be born and thrive. To remain in ones old lifestyle after
salvation had been received makes the grace of God a cheap thing. A change must take place or we are fooling
ourselves. Without change we will begin
to accrue a whole new set of sins for which there is no payment. Christ died once for all for all time,
however, repeat offenders who never embrace their second chance for what it is
remain in sin, having shot hope in the heart.
Do not deceive yourself into believing that you can merely hear the word of God and then go about your merry way as if nothing meaningful has happened. We must do what His word says if we are going to enjoy the riches of His blessed promises. Without knowing His word we have no idea who He truly is or what He has to say. We surmise based on what others say it says, yet never partake of it ourselves. No growth shall occur that way. Read His word for yourself and seek to be a reflection of who He is to the world around you. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
Do not deceive yourself into believing that you can merely hear the word of God and then go about your merry way as if nothing meaningful has happened. We must do what His word says if we are going to enjoy the riches of His blessed promises. Without knowing His word we have no idea who He truly is or what He has to say. We surmise based on what others say it says, yet never partake of it ourselves. No growth shall occur that way. Read His word for yourself and seek to be a reflection of who He is to the world around you. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
