BE A DOER OF THE WORD

 HOME OF ARTICLES 

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” James 1:21-22 NLT

 

It is contradictory to call Jesus your “Lord” yet not obey His commands. It is simply a self-delusion or self-deception to be a follower of Christ and yet not a doer of the word or teaching of Christ.

James admonishes us not to be mere hearers of God’s Word.

James 1:21-22 – NLT

21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

Anyone who is only a hearer, reader, preacher, or teacher of God’s Word but not a doer of God’s Word is only deceiving himself.

The primary evidence of submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is willingness and eagerness to obey His commands and teachings. Disobedience to Jesus’ commands and instructions is a rebellion against His Lordship!

The Lord Jesus chided and queried the multitude following Him who was only paying lip service to Him, saying, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46 NKJV).

If Jesus walks into many churches today, He will undoubtedly chide the many worshippers regularly converging in those churches, posing the same question, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?”

There is a significant difference between a hearer, reader, or speaker of God’s Word and a doer. It is possible to be eager, keen, or excited about God’s Word and unwilling or reluctant to obey it.

In the days of the prophet Ezekiel, the children of Israel were eager to hear God’s Word but unwilling to obey what they heard.

Although they would gladly gather to Ezekiel to hear God’s Word, they had no delight or willingness to obey it. Even though they were avid or zealous hearers of God’s Word, they were rebellious to God’s Word.

God testified to their eagerness to hear but unwillingness to obey His Word.

Ezekiel 33:31-32 – NKJV

 31 “So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain.

 32 “Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them.

Sadly, this is also the apt description of the hearts of many worshippers in our churches today.

In the days of Ezekiel, the people of Israel converged to God’s servant only to be informed, educated, cheered up, thrilled, amused, or entertained by his teaching, preaching, or prophecies. Unfortunately, it is now in our days.

Today, many attend church services only to be tickled or thrilled by the charismatic display, eloquence, oratory, Greek or Hebrew vocabularies, fables, or the preacher’s stories.

Our churches have become like cinema or theatre halls, and preachers like comedians or entertainers paid to amuse or entertain you.

Today, many people only have itching ears but not a willing or obedient mind for God’s Word.

Paul warned his spiritual son, Timothy, about this time and people.

2 Timothy 4:1-4 – BBE

 1 I give you orders, before God and Christ Jesus, who will be the judge of the living and the dead, and by his revelation and his kingdom;

 2 Be preaching the word at all times, in every place; make protests, say sharp words, give comfort, with long waiting and teaching;

 3 For the time will come when they will not take the true teaching; but, moved by their desires, they will get for themselves a great number of teachers for the pleasure of hearing them;

 4 And shutting their ears to what is true, will be turned away to belief in foolish stories.

This warning is also for us today!

Friend, it is unprofitable for you to continue to hear but disobey God’s Word.

 

Prayer:

I choose not to be a mere speaker, teacher, reader, or hearer of Your Word but a diligent doer. So, please help me, Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our mandate is to preserve the faith of the Apostolic Generation.

Eniyekpemi Fidelis Oyinpreyebi.

AWH, Blogs.

Share this: