Many of us hear the Word of God every day. Sometimes we read it, listen to it on CD, our i-phones, i-pods, i-pads, nooks or kindles. The Word of God is available in more than 26 translations and in various languages. The Word is more readily available now than ever before.
However, that doesn’t mean that we are taking advantage of technology or various translations to get the Word into our heart. I love God’s Word, but I can assure you that I haven’t arrived yet and I still need to feed my spirit man the Word of God.
Several months ago I had the blessing of working with a personal trainer to jump start my exercise program. As we walked on the track she began telling me what exercises to do and how to do them to produce the best benefits for my time invested in exercising.
At first I agreed with her and told her I knew what she was talking about because I had exercised in the past. She continued with her instructions and again, I knew what she was explaining and agreed with her. It was common knowledge to me what she was saying. Then, something phenomenal happened – some would call it a light bulb moment! As she continued to explain the simple exercises, the Holy Spirit clearly told me “It’s not what you know that makes a difference in your life; it’s what you do with what you know!”
In that moment of walking on the track the Holy Spirit revealed a life-changing nugget that I continuously revisit. He put pride and humility into perspective for me in a split second! In James 4:17 we read, “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” NASB. The Message says it like this, “As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right things to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil.”
I liken my exercise program to reading and acting on the Word of God. In many instances I know what God’s Word says; however, it is like my exercise program! It doesn’t matter what I know (pride) – it matters what I do (humility)!
In the simple act of humbling myself to read and listen to God’s love letters to me, I reap endless benefits as I act on what I read and hear. I purpose in my heart to step out in faith and be a doer of God’s Word; to act on what I know. How about you? Will you take a step of faith and act on what you know?