Don’t Be a Forgetful Hearer

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

I don’t really struggle to make time for Gods Word each day. I’m hungry for it. I run to it like I do my coffee … It is my oxygen in the morning, breathing life into my tired and empty places; filling me up.

My struggle isn’t with opening my Bible. It isn’t with making time for God or being intentional about it. I’ll read scripture anytime, anywhere, because I love it. I delight in it.

My struggle, simply put, is too much information, and too little application.

Yes, my daily fight is applying those truths that I drink in while I’m thirsty. Practicing what I’ve consumed, and letting it consume me …

On days when I’m jolted out of bed when I’d rather be sleeping, I have to apply what I’ve read.

On days when others aren’t who or what I want them to be, I have to apply what I’ve read.

When someone cuts me off on the highway, spills the tea at home, or gets on my nerves at church (y’all know it happens) I have to apply what I know.

In seasons of harvest and in seasons of drought, knowledge isn’t power until I apply it.

I love Gods Word like I do food, but going to the table isn’t enough. What good is spiritual nourishment if it isn’t applied?

I need to exercise what I’ve learned to be spiritually lean.

Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man (woman) who builds his (her) house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24

God intended for us to apply the Bible to our lives, not just read it and get full.

Knowledge not applied becomes pride, and to know the good I ought to do and not, is sin.

Reading the Bible is about transformation, not information.

If I ever hope to build anything lasting, it has to begin here. Applying what I know. Listening and doing.

Lord,
Help me apply what I’ve learned today, that I wouldn’t be a forgetful hearer, but I would do all that You’ve taught me to do.
In Jesus Name