Listen AND Apply~

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

Have you ever been fooled? I have, and it happened regularly at my high school, Shamrock, in Georgia.  Back in the early 80s it was all the rage to refold the used aluminum from a rectangular piece of Wrigley's doublemint gum, reinsert it into its paper wrapper, and offer it to poor unsuspecting folks like me.  It was impossible to tell the difference between a real piece and a fake, and I always fell for it.  Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me?  Then shame and more shame on me.

However, being fooled by snarky pubescents with a phony piece of gum has no life-long implications.  On the other hand, thinking we can hear about God's salvation, wisdom, encouragements, and commandments and then walk away without doing anything about it spells trouble.

The above verse says that only listening to God means we are fooling ourselves - we are deceiving our souls.  So much more is required.  We must do what God says.  To reap  a blessed, protected, guided, provided-for life that is replete with faith, joy, peace, love, and hope, we have to act.

Years ago when I had a thyroid problem, I went to an endocrinologist.  She came up with a course of treatment, which I discussed with her and then read on my own.  Thank God that I didn't have to do anything else.  Simply by listening I was healed!

Not!  I had my blood tested, an ultrasound done on my neck, followed by a needle biopsy, and a follow up plan that eventually required surgery. I would have only been fooling myself if I thought that I did not have to follow through with the doctor's treatment.

We have to follow through with our Lord, and it starts with prayer.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We do not want to only listen, we want to do what Your Word says.  Our lives are better when we pray, trust, and exercise our faith.  We slip out from under the weight of depression when we express gratitude daily.  Our families thrive when we are rich in forgiveness, patience and understanding.  Our co-workers are blessed when we show self-control and kindness.  Our marriages are immeasurably blessed when we pray for each other, treat each other with respect, and serve one another.  Every single situation or problem we face benefits tremendously when we apply Your Word.  HELP US LISTEN AND APPLY! In Jesus' name, AMEN.