My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.
What is the end goal of listening to the Word of God? You are right in your answer if you said – to know God and grow in Christlikeness. But how exactly does that come about? It’s through obedience. When you obey God’s Word you get to know who He is and you are on the path of transformation. God doesn’t speak to entertain us, so that we say, “That was so good. I felt so nice.” If not that, then what is His purpose? God speaks to guide us. Through His Word He teaches us, rebukes us, corrects us, and trains us in righteousness so that we are thoroughly equipped for every good work. Through His Word we will receive guidance, healing, comfort, encouragement, and more, for God’s Word is truly alive and active. To reap these benefits in our daily lives, we must be ready to obey what He says to us. You must be ready to obey what He says to you.
You sit under that anointed teaching or preaching of God’s Word, you open your Bible to read and study the Word of God, you turn on that audio tape to listen to the Word, you read a devotional message and trust that through it you will benefit spiritually…let your attitude be to put into practice whatever the Lord speaks to you. If He tells you to repent, repent and be specific. If he tells you to stop relating with a certain character, do that. If He tells you to do well, do well. If He tells you to pray, pray. In simple terms, do whatever He tells you.
I need to mention here that keeping a journal as you listen to God’s Word is good. It helps you keep track of what God is speaking to you; the matters He is impressing on your heart and mind. This helps you to look back and see how obedient you are to His counsel. It’s very easy to forget what you have been taught in matter of days. Keep a record and seek to attend to what you hear. Let your spiritual journey be one that is characterized by intentional, practical obedience.But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it he will be blessed in what he does.
May Mary’s words in John 2:5 be our guide as we interact with God’s Word in all areas. Here Mary was speaking of Jesus Christ. ‘His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever He tells you."’
Verse to remember
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him
Question to remember
Point to ponder
The end goal of listening to God’s Word is to obey.
