Read: James 1:19-27
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
James 1:22 KJV
Listening and learning are two things that are a part of all our lives.
When we are listening, we give our attention to the person speaking.
We hear what they are saying.
We try to understand the meaning of what they are saying.
Deep listening takes place when we are determined to understand the speaker’s point of view.
It means we are paying close attention to their verbal and nonverbal cues.
But with anything we learn, what we do with it makes the difference.
Unfortunately, there will be times when we spend hours listening and reading.
Trying to take in as much information as possible.
What we learn has great meaning, but we never put into play what we have learned.
We acquire more and more knowledge and never use it.
That is what James was telling us in this passage.
The Father has a desire for us to use everything He is teaching us.
He has told us, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22 KJV).
It does nothing for us if we read the Bible or listen as it is being taught but fail to do anything with what we have learned.
We cheat ourselves.
We miss the blessings the Father has for us.
We all must take the time to make what we hear match what we do.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, we know that our hearing must be matched with our doing. We are to take delight in Your Word. Opening our Bibles prayerfully. Reading and studying it carefully. Obeying it with joy. Your Word is true and is of little use to us if we never abide by it. Thank You for reminding us of what we need to do.
In Jesus’ Name We Pray, Amen