“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22
Many have had the opportunity to hear scriptural teaching again and again. From the pulpit they have heard what God wants them to do. From television, radio, and biblical-based articles they have also heard what God’s will for them is. Christian acquaintances and family members may also have voiced biblical principles.
All the biblical input has fattened their head knowledge of spiritual and biblical things, but they have not reacted to or moved on what they have learned. They are hearers of God’s Word, but are not doers of His commandments (James 1:22-25).
Through preaching they have heard a clear message on what the Bible says one must do to be saved, yet they have not trusted Christ alone as their way to Heaven. They have heard how God expects each and every child of God to tell others how to be saved, yet many have not even made one attempt to tell another how to be saved.
A sermon mayhave showed them how it is stealing from God not to tithe (Malachi 3:8-10). They nodded their head in agreement with the preacher on that matter, yet they still have never faithfully given to the local church part of what they have earned that week. An accidental hearing of a radio message convicted them deeply of a sin they were involved in, and their guilt over the sin’s commission had bothered them for a while, but they still have not made one attempt to curb their sin.
On and on the list could go of truths they have heard from the Word of God. Admittedly, most know what God wants them to do, and what He does not want them to do. Yet, all that knowledge lies somewhere in their brain unused and unapplied.
Many are appalled at those that have gained enormous amounts of weight. They shake their head as television interviews reveal people that weigh 500 pounds or more. They diagnose the eater’s problem quickly; the over-weight person is eating more calories than he is burning up in exercise or daily usage. They see how dangerous it is for the heavy one to sit all day in front of the television consuming bags of chips, and other junk foods. Yet, they do not see the parallel between one who eats more than he uses and their own spiritual fatness of absorbing the things of God and utilizing very little of what they have heard.
Spiritually, those have become obese, yet they do not see their unhealthy spiritual condition. They hear preaching, read their Bible, go to church often, and even listen to Christian radio and television regularly. However, it only goes in, and very little spiritually comes out of what they have learned.
I have heard many “obese” Christians wax eloquent. They boast of how many years they have attended church, or how much Scripture they know. I have often felt dumb after hearing them give a demonstration of their head knowledge of the Scriptures. They are quite knowledgeable. However, that feeling goes away when I hear their testimony of never having witnessed to one soul, never having done anything for the Lord but sit and soak, or never having showed any signs of spiritual growth in their lives.
What are you doing with the things of God you have heard? God did not allow you to learn His ways just for you to appear smart about the things of God, or to inflate your pride. He allowed you to hear his message, so that you would do for Him what He desires. Are you doing what God has shown you to do? Are you burning spiritual “calories”?
Scriptures related to this subject can be found at: James 1:22-25, Matthew 7:21, Luke 6:46, Luke 11:28, Luke 12:48, Romans 2:13, I John 3:7.
We are not to sit and soak, but to seek and serve!
Would it kind of be like a person going to school to learn to be a doctor, have all the knowledge and tell people what they learned, but never actually help a sick or injured person?
I never want to be that type of Christian. I would rather know a little and do much of what I know I should do. Hope that makes sense.
Thank you Bro. Brinkworth for sharing your wisdom. It is a blessing every time I read what you’ve written.
You’re a blessing.
How is your mother?
True even the devil knows the Holy Book as do many who are not saved but their knowledge comes to having a come back when told of our Father [ like judge not lest you be judged ] . As for gluttony of seeking knowledge well the way you put it sure but then there are those who seek to learn to understand to apply what is taught in their own lives .
As for people being over weight just look what is snuck in our foods today that causes so much damage one is soy plus gmo [ messes with the thyroid as well as male hormones and female hormones ] among so many things that some people who hardly eat are over weight . Then yes there are ones who thrive on junk food . So there is a big picture here of what one is doing or not smiles .
Yes, there are many that hear and are convicted from what they hear from the Word of God and they do something about those convictions. Responses in this blog even prove that. However, the article was about the many that take in spiritual things, but do nothing about what they have learned. They only gain head knowledge, but there heart is obeying the message. Unfortunately, a high percentage of Christians fall into that category. The cause of Christ needs more doers of the Word.
This article also has nothing to do with eating, only that gluttony was used as an illustration to teach a principle.
I want to be convicted each time I read God’s Word or read a devotion! So great job! Continue to write what God lays on your heart!
The best piece I have ever read of yours Bro Brinkworth!
Thanks for it, Like Bro Doug, I feel convicted.
Bro. Bill, with the help of the Holy Spirit, you sure have a way of convicting people! Thanks though cause I needed that!
I really wanted to write it differently, but that is how it came out. My flesh wanted to include all the people that go to every revival/church meeting in their area (they’re not always faithful in attending their own church), get excited at the meeting, run around and jump around, but will not come back for the evening service, nor seemingly do anything for the Lord. They take in the meat and potatoes from God’s Word, but all they do is get biblically fat.