“Do not merely listen to the word,
and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22).
There have been many times that I’ve asked my daughter’s to
clean their rooms or do their chores, only to find them playing. They are children and often get distracted
& fail to prioritize. A similar
thing has happened to me and once again I'm reminded to keep my priorities in
order. Before I can put His Word into
practice I must mediate on it & hide it in my heart. I need to let it take
root, in all areas, so that it will overflow out of my heart and mouth.
For many years I knew the word, but failed to truly let it take root in all areas of my life. I loved everything about being a Christian, but somewhere lost my zeal for my Savior. My duty and service for God took priority over my devotion with Him. I was doing His Word by helping others, yet I failed to meditate and allow God’s word to continually transform me on a daily basis. I forgot that I was a new creation and slowly allowed negative behaviors to creep in.
For many years I knew the word, but failed to truly let it take root in all areas of my life. I loved everything about being a Christian, but somewhere lost my zeal for my Savior. My duty and service for God took priority over my devotion with Him. I was doing His Word by helping others, yet I failed to meditate and allow God’s word to continually transform me on a daily basis. I forgot that I was a new creation and slowly allowed negative behaviors to creep in.
The more I learn, the more I am able to put it into
practice. If I am not doing what it
says, I’m only deceiving myself. As I
mature, I begin to obey. 1 John 2 tells
us that “We know that we have come to know him if we
keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,’ but does not
do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” So being a
doer of the Word begins with actively trying to keep God’s word. If I am not trying to do this, the Bible
clearly says that I do not know Him.
Matthew 7:22 tells us that
many will say, “Lord I have done all these things.” And Jesus is going to say,
“I never knew you; Depart from me.”
I have sat through many sermons where I discover areas that
I need to change, then shortly after forgot the conviction and fail to make the
changes. “Anyone who listens to the word but does not
do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away
and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But
whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues
in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in
what they do” (James 1:23-25). Most of don’t casually look at a mirror,
as we are running out the door. We look
intently and make the needed changes to our appearances. James likens The Word of God as a mirror that
reveals our intentions & attitudes. We
cannot merely glance at it. We must
apply it and make the needed changes. Only
when we apply the Word will true victory come.
Unfortunately we often avoid the parts that convict. As Mark Twain said, “It ain't those parts of
the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do
understand.”
As we meditate on God’s Word, we begin to understand it.
This is a sign of growing in God, but we cannot stop here; We are to
continually put the Word of God to practical use. This isn’t something to do occasionally, but
daily. Sharing God’s word is powerful,
but I believe that our lives need to become a living & practical example of
the Word. This begins with listening to
others, controlling our words, being slow to anger, obeying His commands, &
serving others. Actions speak louder
than words. St. Francis of Assisi
sums it up,” Preach the gospel at every opportunity and use words if you have
to.”
- Principle 8: Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and my words. “Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires.” (Matthew 5:10)
- Step 12: Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, I try to carry this message to other, and to practice these principles in all my affairs. “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)
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