Written by Allan Mitchell for The Life
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”– JAMES 1:22
If we follow our own preferred plan of action, then we “deceive ourselves.” Listening is only the catalyst for action — God’s call to action — for Christ followers to build a foundation of solid rock.
Can you imagine a community of Christ followers that embrace God’s call to action? James’ declaration reminds us that there is an obvious correlation between hearing and doing.
In our stubborn self-sufficiency, we easily defer to our personal preferred plan of action — with its unavoidable consequences. Often, listening to God is easy, but our greater challenge and call is to surrender a listening ear that embraces God’s non-negotiable call to live out His Word.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your Word and for your grace when I merely listen. I pray for a listening ear. May your Spirit empower me to not only read and hear your Word, but to intentionally apply and reflect it in my everyday faith adventure. Amen.
Go Deeper – Make embracing God’s call to action one of your New Year’s resolutions – meditate on and memorize a verse each day, starting with today’s verse. Journal your thoughts and insights and ask Him to help you not only to hear His word, but to apply it by living it out in your everyday life.
Read further — Are you ignoring God?
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