Daily Devotionals

Pressure Point Week 3: Tuesday

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

Imagine being home with two children, grandchildren, or nieces or nephews. You ask them to clean up the mess they have made with their toys. One child picks up the toys, and the other sits in front of the television. Which child listened to you? The child who picked up the toys, of course. This is true because listening is not simply hearing words. Listening involves responding to what we hear. Without a response, there is doubt about whether or not anyone heard us. This is also true when it comes to Scripture. If we truly listen, we will respond obediently and do what we have heard. 

James, the half-brother of Jesus and the writer of the book of James, urged followers of Christ to truly listen by acting on what we read in God's word. "Don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says," he wrote (verse 22). In other words, James was reminding believers that one of the purposes of reading Scripture is to call believers to action. He continued, saying, "For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like" (verses 23-24). In painting the illustration of the futility of looking in the mirror and forgetting what we look like, James showed readers that reading Scripture and responding with action and obedience is vital to truly studying, learning from, and understanding the Bible.

Listening to and acting on God's word will always have a positive impact. We have the promise in 2 Timothy 3:16 that "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right." That means that listening and acting on God's word helps us to live lives that help us grow and honor God. 

My friend, all Scripture calls us to action. As we read it, we are not merely called to read it; we are called to "do what it says." In light of this understanding, the question on our mind as we study the Bible should be, "How can I apply this to my own life?" When we look for ways to apply Scripture, we move beyond simply hearing Scripture to being doers of Scripture.

Moving toward action

Read through the Going Deeper section below. As you read, truly listen. Read the Scripture, and think of one way you can apply the Scripture that you have read. Then, set out to apply the Scripture today. Let's not just hear God's word. Let's do what it says!

Going Deeper

2 Timothy 3:1-17

"You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

6 They are the kind who work their way into people's homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) 8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. 9 But they won't get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra-but the Lord rescued me from all of it. 12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.

14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."