Listening vs. Hearing

James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”  

         In this world there are listeners and hearers. A person can listen to someone speak all day long but not hear a thing. What is being said becomes nothing more than a clanging cymbal as the message goes unheard.  Many a glowing sermon has been preached that has never been heard because of a sense of indifference.  To some just being in church seems to matter more than actually receiving any spiritual food.  We should be sponges, soaking up any spiritual knowledge we can, for to know Him is to trust Him and to trust Him will bring us to a place where worry less allowing blessings to flow more freely.

         We deceive ourselves into thinking we are okay with God just because we attend services, but all the services in the world will not change our heart or our mindset.  God is extremely patient with us, but don’t mistake His patience as a sign of weakness.  His patience is borne out of love for us, plus an understanding that we are frail and even on our best day will not measure up to His standards.  That is where His mercy and grace kicks in.  

We cannot live a life that is pleasing to God unless we follow the standard He’s set forth in scripture. In our imperfection we come to realize that our Lord’s patience allows for many mistakes as long as we are sincerely trying to please Him with our lives. Those things said to us will actually begin to be heard and if we let them, they will revolutionize our walk with God.  Listen, but also hear all that we are told from scripture that we may be a blessing to God and others.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries