FAITH COMES FROM HEARING GOD’S WORD.
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
A gardener can plant the same kind of seed in three different locations and get three different results. In one spot, she’ll get giant tomatoes. In another, she’ll get small tomatoes. And in a third, she’ll get nothing. What’s the difference? It’s not the seed; it’s the soil. The soil must be prepared for the seed. The same is true when you hear God’s Word at church, when you’re reading the Bible or when you’re just moving through your day. How can you prepare the soil of your heart for God’s message? James, chapter one teaches: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. This passage encourages us to choose our attitude carefully, so that we can hear God’s message and thrive. Consider these four healthy attitude choices:- You can choose to be quiet. “Be quick to listen, slow to speak.” We can’t hear God when we’re doing all the talking.
- You can choose to be calm. “Slow to become angry.” When you’re upset, you’re less likely to hear God. God encourages us to, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV). Another way of saying this is: Relax and receive God’s confidence.
- You can choose to be ethical. “Get rid of all moral filth and evil.” Before you can experience God, you might need to take out some of the (emotional and spiritual) garbage by admitting your character flaws and mistakes and asking for God to help you change.
- You can choose to be humble. “Humbly accept the word planted in you.” Be willing to do whatever God asks. A prideful or stubborn attitude creates a hard heart.
