DAILY DEVOTIONAL FROM PASTOR WESLEY August 16, 2022

Formula for Personal Growth

It’s not enough to hear God’s Word—we must apply it in our life.

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. James 1:19-25

The difference between hearing and doing seems fairly obvious, and yet many people fail to recognize the distinction—or the fact that the two should be more closely related. Take the parent-child relationship, for example. Moms and dads give directions and expect their children to follow through with action. We all know, however, that such instructions are often unheard or disregarded.

Think about how that applies to what our heavenly Father tells His children. He has given us His Word not just to hear but to obey. Yet how often do we hear the proper instructions or warnings but fail to do what Scripture says? In some instances, it’s a matter of not caring enough to obey; at other times our own interests lead us away from God’s commands and toward our own desires.

Do you merely hear the Word, or do you also do what it says? (See James 1:22.) The danger is that in failing to apply God’s words of wisdom, we can easily be led into all sorts of foolish pursuits. Isaiah 53:6 warns that our natural tendency is to turn to our own way and go astray like lost sheep. That’s why it’s essential to listen and obey our Good Shepherd as He guides us with His Word.

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