Hearers, but Not Doers
There is an age old problem that many people have. They hear the words of the Lord, but they do not do them. Ezekiel encountered this problem, and he gave us an explanation of why this happens. (Ezekiel 33:31) We all need to consider what the Lord showed him.
The problem is that these people say they love the Lord with their mouths. In fact, they show much love with their mouths. However, with their hearts they pursue their own gain. It is a heart problem that stems from self-seeking and the desire to have things our way. I believe this is a very helpful insight. It is not simply an inability to follow through on our love for the Lord, but we actually love ourselves more than we love the Lord. Therefore, we do what we think will profit us, instead of doing what He commands us to do.
If we truly want to be hearers and doers of the words of God, we must surrender to Him and His will, so much that we love Him, and put His desire above our own desires. We must want to please Him more than we want to please ourselves. Then, it will be much easier to do what He tells us, and we will do it out of love, which is the highest and best motivation.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 35-37.
The problem is that these people say they love the Lord with their mouths. In fact, they show much love with their mouths. However, with their hearts they pursue their own gain. It is a heart problem that stems from self-seeking and the desire to have things our way. I believe this is a very helpful insight. It is not simply an inability to follow through on our love for the Lord, but we actually love ourselves more than we love the Lord. Therefore, we do what we think will profit us, instead of doing what He commands us to do.
If we truly want to be hearers and doers of the words of God, we must surrender to Him and His will, so much that we love Him, and put His desire above our own desires. We must want to please Him more than we want to please ourselves. Then, it will be much easier to do what He tells us, and we will do it out of love, which is the highest and best motivation.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 35-37.