This week we consider the power of God’s Word and the undeniable results it produces when we esteem it and receive it with the intention to obey. The Word has the ability to produce lasting fruit and transform us from the inside out, but only when we internalise it and live according to what it says. That is why King David declares, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). David did not casually hear the Word and forget it, nor did leave it by the wayside where Satan could easily steal it (Matthew 13:4 & Mark 4:15). Instead, he treasured it and guarded it within. The Word is essential for daily living and growth, which is why Isaiah 33:6 reminds us that “wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of our times,” keeping us from being double-minded and unstable in all our ways (James 1:7-8). This stability is cultivated when the Word dwells richly in us and becomes a part of our everyday lives, equipping us to withstand the pressures, temptations, and distractions of this life.
The Word is not only for hearing – it is for doing. This is why Scripture exhorts us, saying, “be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). The Lord Jesus reinforces this truth in Matthew 7, teaching that wisdom is not merely hearing the Word, but obeying it, saying, “whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock” (vs.24). Doing the Word is how we build our lives upon the rock, who is Christ, and that is where true stability comes from. The words of the Lord are not incidental additions to improve our standard of living; they are foundational truths upon which we must build our lives. When we do this, we become like wise carpenters who build on solid ground. However, this does not exempt us from facing challenges. Jesus reminds us in John 16:33, “ … in the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Tribulations are inevitable, but when we train ourselves to do the Word – even when it is difficult – we will be the last ones standing. The Lord continued, saying, “and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:25). So it is with us, church – Satan will keep attempting to shake our faith, but if we are founded on the Word, we will come out victorious every time.
By contrast, hearing without obedience is foolishness. As the Lord says: “everyone who hears these sayings of Mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand” (vs.26). If we hear the Word but do not work it into our lives, we are like foolish builders constructing on unstable ground. When the rain inevitably descends, the floods come, and the winds blow and beat against that house, it will without a doubt fall; and great will be its fall (vs.27). We are all building – wise and foolish alike – but the true test comes when adversity strikes. Though the foundation is often hidden, its construction is revealed with time. The same storms confront every believer – the one who hears only, and the one who hears to obey – yet only those who DO the Word will remain standing. So, let us resist the temptation to cherry-pick what is convenient to obey, and instead work the Word into every area of our lives, becoming wise builders whose foundation cannot be shaken.
In his writings, Apostle Peter affirms that hearing the Word only is not sufficient – you must live it. He writes, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises“ (2 Peter 1:2-4a). While it is important for us to know what God has already given us and what rightfully belongs to us in Christ, this revelation does not only strengthen our understanding of the Word – it causes us to act on that very Word. When the light of God’s Word dawns on us, it empowers and enables us to step into new dimensions and seasons in the spirit. That is why Peter continues, saying, “that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature” (vs.4b). As we daily walk in the Truth of the Word, we become active participants in the grace God has availed to us, and are transformed into all it says we are. As we continue therein, we diligently add to our faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (vs.5-7). These virtues must be practised, not merely admired. And when they abound in us, Scripture assures us that we will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (vs.8). So, let us give ourselves wholly to the Word – not merely as hearers, but as doers. For when the Word is hidden in our hearts and lived out daily, it will surely produce results.
Prayer
Father, we thank You for Your Word that is alive, powerful, and fruitful. Help us to treasure it, hide it in our hearts, and to give it room to work in us daily. Grant us revelation as we study and meditate on Your Word, so that it may produce lasting results in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
