Becoming a Hearer and Doer of the Word
“40 million Americans have walked away from the Christian faith over the past 20
years.” —Barna Institute
When there is an absence of a solid foundation, a believer will…
a. struggle to endure through difficult times
b. struggle to discern between God’s voice and the enemy
Matthew 7:24-29 (NKJV) “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 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. 26 But 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: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” 28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
It takes both — the hearing and the doing to establish a firm foundation.
Why do we have a hard time hearing AND doing what Jesus says?
We are hesitant to believe God’s Word because our natural tendency is to filter it through the way we view ourselves.
Genesis 18:10-12 (NLT) “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!” Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent. 11 Abraham and Sarah were both very old by this time, and Sarah was long past the age of having children. 12 So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?” 13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
Exodus 3:9-11 (NLT) Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. 10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”
Judges 6:12-15 (NKJV) And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” 14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” 15 So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
Jeremiah 1:4-6 (ESV) Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.”
God didn’t disregard or disqualify them…even when they disregarded and disqualified themselves.
1. Their dialogue didn’t stop at the moment of their default setting.
Joshua 1:8 (NLT) Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
2. When He speaks to us, He never expects us to go at it alone.
Joshua 1:9 (NLT) This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
James 1:21-25 (NKJV) Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
“Who is a hearer only?” and “Who is a doer of the Word?”
A “hearer only” is described as a student who attends a class, but isn’t serious about learning what the class has to offer. They are physically present, but mentally they aren’t there — because they have no real intention of doing anything with what they are hearing.
They actually believe just showing up is going to produce positive results in their life.
A “doer” listens intently for the purpose of learning — so that they can figure out how to apply the Word to their life.
So whenever God highlights a wrong mindset, an incorrect doctrine, or an area of sin — the “doer” will not delay.
We are called to be a disciple who is listening, learning, and applying what we learn. God doesn’t call us to be hearers only. He calls us to be hearers and doers.
What kind of a believer will you be?