Stop The Deception-Part 5 Who Are You Obeying?

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that ones slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Romans 6:16 (NKJV)

We are looking at a devotional series titled, "Stop The Deception," which is based on James 1:22-24 where we are exhorted to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves. 

In Part 4 we looked at the first of two reasons why we can make the commitment to read and apply God's Word to our lives, and then turn around and be like the man in James 1:24-27 - one who looks at himself intently in the mirror, but immediately forgets what he looks like.  This analogy is referring to our looking intently at the God's Word, but then walking away and forgetting what we have read or learned, and then not applying it to our lives.  The first reason we gave for this happening was,

1.    Intellectual assent - we hear the Word, and we simply come in agreement with it - but we stop there.

The second reason I believe we can forget about God's Word after reading it, is 

2.    Distractions - The enemy tempts us to look at, and think upon other things, rather than what we have read or heard from God.  

We can no sooner finish hearing a good message; leave the church, and suddenly real life kicks back in with its temptations and distractions, the needs, and demands of every day life.  And we can immediately shift our mind to putting out fires or seeking to fulfill our wants, desires, and even our needs.  The result being we can forget the Word we just heard.

Again, The enemy loves this; because he attempts to deceive us into thinking we have somehow achieved some better standing with God by our attending church or Bible study.  But when we're distracted we don't implement what we are listening to, and this means we are only being hearers of the Word, and not doers - we are deceiving ourselves James says.

I am not suggesting we live a legalistic life, abandoning our freedom in Christ, and fearing we may lose our salvation.  But we need to know our being saved by God's grace doesn't take away our responsibility to obey the Law.  So many people have this misconception that once Christ came, the law (God's commandments) was somehow abolished and done - this is not so!  Let's take a look at what Jesus had to say about this. 

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.  For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.  Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-19 (NKJV)

• God's Word is there to guide us in every facet of our life - to show us how we are to handle every situation.
• God's Word is there to instruct us so that we live a life that is pleasing to God, and is fruitful.
• God's Word is there to assure us we are blessed while here on earth and for eternity as well.

We see this promise being given through Joshua to God's people

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)

• We should not let the Word of God depart from our mouth - this means we should continually be speaking it forth
• We should be meditating on it day and night - continually thinking on what we have read - asking ourselves how to apply it to our life.
• We should observe to do according to all that is written - we need to obey it fully!

And we are given God's guarantee that He will make our way prosperous, and we will have good success!  Our motive for reading God's Word should be to know God, and His Will for our life - our motive should be a deep desire to be transformed.

Hey Christian, we are either going to obey God's Word and be doers, or we are going to simply be connoisseurs in listening to it. 

STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about learning and applying the law (God's Word) to our life by the Scriptures contained within this devotional?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Do you have a deep desire to be transformed to be like Christ?

APPLICATION:  Read, and listen to God's Word.  Study it, and meditate upon it.  Let it change your thoughts and ways.  Follow its leading, and apply its commandments.  Watch what God does within your life.