L-I-S-T-E-N and O-B-E-Y
When I was in grade school, there was this little chant that our class would say to a student who was clearly not listening. It went like this (imagine the teacher and class saying in unison): "L-I-S, T-E-N, listen _____." To be on the receiving end of that chant was one of the worst things we could all possibly imagine, so we definitely made an effort to listen to the teacher better. Why was it important to listen in class? Because the teacher was teaching us important knowledge and skills for a successful life. If we didn't listen, it only hurt us. You know, it's the same when we read God's Word, isn't it? We have to listen to what God is saying to us in order to grow closer to Him and stronger in our faith. At its root, listening to God's Word is really about applying it to our lives. So how can you apply God's Word to your life? Well first of all, as we've already covered, you have to listen. Seriously stop and enjoy the silence. Seek to hear what God is saying to you in the passage you're reading. Secondly, you need to pray. Ask God to help you apply what He said to your life. Thirdly, you have to submit to God's work in your heart. Give yourself over to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. And finally, you must obey. Take action! Don't just hear what God is saying, do it! James 1:22 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." So to put things in a nutshell (because apparently nutshells are good places to store important, summarized info), applying God's Word to your life is all about hearing God's voice, understanding what He's saying, and then doing what He said. Why? Because He is the Ultimate Teacher, and He is constantly teaching us incredible, life-changing things that will draw us closer to Him and make us more like Jesus. So when God speaks to you through His Word, listen, pray, submit, and obey.
GO DEEPER: Read Luke 6:46-49 & James 1:22-25
HEY! Don't forget to pick up a Bible Reading Plan in the Student Ministries Room. There's one that's just right for you!
