Matthew 7:24 – 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.

This parable of Jesus’ powerfully drives home the importance of obedience to the things He taught during His earthly ministry. You see, it is not enough to simply hear these sayings and know these sayings; you must put them into practice everyday. The believer who hears and does Jesus’ commands is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. His life has a solid foundation, and even when it is battered by rain and winds, it will not fall. One of the great dangers for those who love the Scriptures is to think hearing is equivalent to doing. You might say, “I agree with the teachings Jesus gives on forgiveness. I must forgive.” But, if you go and still have bitterness in your heart toward another, then you have a weak foundation. There is such a need to hear the words of Jesus because of the great danger of concluding that because you are hearing the truth and agreeing with the truth, you are automatically practicing the truth. The wise man not only hears Jesus’ words but also puts them into practice.

Challenge:

Would you say you are someone who practices the truth or simply hears the truth? James 1:22 says “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” You see those who are hearers only are considered deceived. The enemy would like nothing more than to deceive you by allowing you to believe it is enough to only hear the word of God and only listen to the teachings of God and then do nothing with that truth. Your challenge today is to take an inventory of the practices in your life and compare them to the truths found in God’s word. If you discover that you are compromising any truth, repent and then make the necessary changes to get your life in line with scripture. Do the words that come out of your mouth dishonor the Lord? Do your attitudes towards others displease the Lord? Do you try harder at pleasing your friends or your family than you do your Lord? Do your eyes look at things that you ought not be looking at as a follower of Christ? Be wise today and do the things that Jesus has taught you. May God bless you exceedingly.