Last night at church our Pastor was recounting a story when he was young in ministry and he asked a seasoned Pastor, if there was any wisdom he could impart to him. The Pastor said…”It’s always easier to preach it, then to live it.”
As Christians we know the Word, we can quote scripture, we have memorized passages, we got it going on when it comes to the Word, but one of the biggest dilemmas in the church and why people that are not saved have a hard time coming into the church and think we are hypocrites, is because we are not living out the Word, we are not doing what the Word says to do. Scripture clearly states…
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. James 1:22-24 NLT
Jesus said to us…
14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 14:17 NIV
The first passage talks about how we are just fooling ourselves if we are not acting on the Word, it’s like we are just playing “Church”, but not living as “the Church”. In the next passage Jesus tells us that we should be following His example, and we will be blessed if we do the things we are supposed to do. I know for us it’s so easy to hear, but it’s much harder to act, but we must start to show some discipline, it won’t happen overnight, but I challenge each of you to start today.
So how do I do this you might ask, how do I make sure that I am doing what the Word says I should do? The Word gives us instruction for that in Joshua 1:8 NIV…
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
So if you know there is an area of your life you have some problems with, find a scripture that says how you are supposed to handle that situation. Then start meditating that scripture every day, and when a situation arises, let your actions be in alignment with the Word. It clearly states as you meditate in the Word then you will begin to be able to do what the Word says, and it says you will be prosperous and successful, in other words if you meditate the Word in any area, you can’t fail! Glory to God!
For example let’s take James 1:19 NIV…
…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
So if you’re someone that needs to be a better listener, or if you’re someone that speaks before you think, or if you’re someone that deals with anger, then this might be a scripture that you could use. It might not be easy, people of God but it is necessary for all of us. God bless!
Tracy Houston
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
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